Leading healthcare professionals have called for the introduction of a ban on smoking in public places in the North.
Health professionals, trade unionists, politicians and representatives of the retail licensed trade are attending a briefing in Belfast today where the case for the introduction of anti-smoking legislation in the six-counties will be put.
Dr Fenton Howell, ASH representative and leading campaigner for the smoking ban in the Republic urged healthcare professionals and politicians to lobby for a ban in order to introduce "the same protection for the people of Northern Ireland."
Dr Peter Maguire, Deputy Chairman of the BMA's Board of Science called on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to take action. He said he has "a responsibility to protect the health of people living in this country," and added that "Legislating to create smoke-free enclosed public places would be the single most effective law to improve health in this country."
The smoking ban was introduced in Ireland last March and has been generally perceived as a success.