Ireland becomes first EU country to ban smoking

Ireland has become to first country in the EU to ban smoking in pubs, restaurants and the workplace.

The hotly contested law, which went into place at midnight, has been labelled "landmark legislation" by Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern and is being keenly watched in the rest of Europe.

"We have arrived at a stage where a non-smoking environment is now being regarded as the norm in our society", said Mr Ahern, according to the Irish Times.

The prime minister cited a recent...