Roel’s Weblog

Reuters.co.uk:

Northern Ireland followed in the footsteps of the Irish Republic on Monday by outlawing smoking in all workplaces, including pubs and restaurants. The move, which some campaigners felt would increase pressure on England to follow suit, comes into effect in April 2007.
Last year, the Irish Republic became the first country in the world to impose a nationwide ban on smoking in pubs, restaurants and workplaces. A number of other countries, including Malta, Norway and Italy, have since followed suit.
Northern Ireland Health Minister Shaun Woodward said the move would lead to the prevention of thousands of unnecessary deaths and smoking-related illnesses. “This is an historic decision for Northern Ireland,” he said. “This is not about banning smoking. People have that freedom of choice. What this decision is about is where people smoke.” His focus, he said, had been on the health of non-smokers and protecting them from the hazards of second-hand smoke.
Earlier this year Woodward said he was considering at least partial smoking restrictions for the province but on Monday he said that given “overwhelming health arguments” he had decided to opt for a comprehensive ban.
A survey by the health department showed 91 percent of people in the province, including smokers, favoured such a move.