European support: Norway is set to be the next country in Europe to introduce a smoking ban similar to Ireland's. Its ban on smoking in all indoor public places comes into effect on June 1st.
Bans have been mooted in many other countries where support for a smoke-free environment is likely to grow in the wake of the Irish ban.
In Britain 73 per cent of respondents in a recent BBC poll said they would support a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places. Liverpool is currently leading the race to become the first smoke-free city in Britain before it assumes the mantle of European capital of culture in 2008. Smoke-free Liverpool, an anti-smoking lobby group which includes councillors, health agencies and business people, was launched last week.
In England the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health is putting together a guide for local authorities offering advice on how to use legislation to restrict smoking. Publication of the guide has been delayed because so many examples were identified.
In Scotland the authorities have recently unveiled a series of measures to curb smoking. In January details of a new £7 million anti-smoking drive were announced. As well as additional spending on healthcare and on an advertising campaign highlighting the risks of smoking, the plans include public consultation on a ban in public places.
In September 2002 Greece introduced measures banning smoking in many public places. Almost 50 per cent of Greek adults smoke and the ban was seen as an effort to clean up the nation's image ahead of this year's Athens Olympics. Fines have been introduced for cafe, pub and restaurant owners who fail to designate at least half of their premises as smoke free.
In Holland smoking was banned in many public places in January. In the workplace staff are only allowed to smoke in special rooms fitted with extractor fans and employers are not obliged to provide smoking rooms. Bars and restaurants are exempt from the ban until next year, but only on condition that they find a compromise by then.
In November 2002 central Tokyo banned smoking on certain busy streets after residents complained that cigarettes were inadvertently being held close to the faces of small children. Anyone caught flouting the ban faces a fine of approximately €120.
California first introduced its workplace smoking ban in 1998 with New York following with a ban in pubs and restaurants in 2003. In the US it is estimated that there are about 1,600 smoking bans, taking many different forms.
Last September the prospect of an EU ban on smoking was raised by Health Commissioner David Byrne. He said his officials were already examining how smoking-related legislation might be framed, but no timescale on a ban has been put forward.
