Ireland's smoking ban 'a success'

From The BBC

The Irish Republic has hailed a smoking ban as a success, with 97% of inspected premises complying with the law.

A report on the workplace ban, by the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC), found one in five smokers now choose not to smoke at all on a night out.
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The report also found more non-smokers were now venturing out to the pub.

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Meanwhile, Norway is set to follow suit, becoming the second nation to ban smoking in public from a minute past midnight on June 1 (Monday, 2200 GMT).

Prior to its introduction, the hospitality industry was vocal in its opposition to the plan, claiming it would result in a loss of business.

But OTC chief inspector Dave Molloy said that those arguments had proved to be unfounded.

Like I've been saying all along. Hopefully Scotland will follow suit soon.

UPDATE From Canadian Press

TORONTO (CP) - The chair of Toronto's public health board says the city's stepped-up ban on smoking in bars could help revitalize the industry.

City councillor John Filion says "there may be a few people who get mad and don't come in again," but there are many others who don't go to bars - even for live entertainment - because of the smoke. The tougher rules take effect at midnight tonight.