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David Byrne said he backed a ban because of the health risks of passive smoking. England's Chief Medical Officer and UK doctors have already called for a ban on public smoking. But any EU directive would have to be implemented by individual countries - and the UK government has said it has no plans to introduce a ban. Ireland already has plans to ban smoking in the workplace and in bars and restaurants. Mr Byrne said officials were developing a policy which he hoped would lead to the drafting of legislation. Legal action against bar or restaurant bosses over smoking was "simply a matter of time", he warned. He told the EUpolitix.com website: "There is clear evidence now that there is a correlation between passive smoking and 'Growing trend' He said he did could not estimate when any legislation would be introduced. Mr Byrne said he knew such a ban could face opposition in some European countries, He added: "I know that traditions and cultures differ. "One must always be sensitive respecting different cultural traditions and I always seek to try and do that when I'm contemplating policies and bringing forward objectives. "But when you are dealing with something fundamental like health, you have to try and see to what extent you can change opinion." Amanda Sandford of the campaign group Action on Smoking and Health told BBC News Online: "This is really part of a growing trend which we're seeing worldwide, a move towards smoke-free workplaces and public places. "It's early days in terms of the EU process, in that they are just starting to look at proposals on how to introduce a ban, but that in itself is encouraging." She added: "The science is very clear. We know without a shadow of a doubt that passive smoking causes lung cancer and heart disease in adults, and a whole range of other diseases in children." Ms Sandford said: "The UK is dragging its heels a bit on this, but I hope that if they are getting this message from the EU - that it's something that needs to be considered - that can only be a good thing." The pro-smoking campaign group FOREST has said it supports restrictions on smoking in public, such as a choice of smoking and no-smoking areas in pubs, restaurants and workplaces.
Approximate Word count = 1192
Approximate Pages = 4.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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