Northern Ireland's Minister of Health will today announce a ban on smoking along the lines of that in force in the Republic since March 2004.
Shaun Woodward's announcement follows his declaration last June that at least a partial ban would be enforced. He said he would take some months to assess how widespread it should be.
Following consultation and lobbying from politicians, health professionals and the licensed trade, the Minister has, as expected, opted for wide-ranging measures.
The ban is expected to take effect from April 2007. The decision is linked to a policy switch at the department of health in London where plans to limit smoking in workplaces in England and Wales are being toughened.
Early British proposals inclined towards permitting smoking in bars where food was not being served. However, following Patricia Hewitt's replacement of John Reid as secretary of state for health, a more widespread ban is now expected. The Scottish parliament has already voted for a ban.
Mr Woodward has spent some time in the Republic and in New York studying implementation of the ban. A reformed smoker himself, he will say today if tobacco users are to be allowed designated smoking rooms in pubs, away from bar staff, or if they must light up outside.
Nicola Carruthers, chief executive of the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade, has warned of dire consequences should a total, as opposed to partial, ban be introduced. Job losses, profit cuts and pub closures would follow, she said.
"What we fear is a complete smoking ban. What we hope is that there is still room for a small compromise." However, the health lobby again pressed the Minister not to flinch on the eve of the announcement.
Gerry McElwee, of the Ulster Cancer Foundation, said: "Does he want to be remembered as the health Minister who brought in the greatest public health measure for a generation, or as a politician who lost his nerve at the last minute?
"The Minister's decision could end all smoking in all workplaces and enclosed public places.
"Fudged proposals such as exemptions for some pubs or separate smoking rooms would fail to protect those workers and members of the public who are at most risk from other people's smoke." Dr Jane Wilde of the Institute of Public Health cited last week's report by the Republic's Office of Tobacco Control, claiming there had been no adverse impact on the hospitality sector by the ban in the South.