Yeah, looks like Malta introduced it recently as well. Here's an article from a local paper;
http://www.independent.com.mt/daily/...w.asp?id=28061

Also this; http://www.no-smoking.org/april04/04-05-04-4.html

PalQ - I've also heard that Nederland is to bring in the ban. How wacky is that? You can sit in an Amsterdam "coffee shop" and get stoned off your head but if you want a Marlboro you'll have to go out on the street.
BTW, the ban in Ireland only works during official opening hours. Come "lock in" time, it's ashtrays out and back to the good 'ol days. Don't see the non smokers giving out at that stage though.

"The NYTimes article on the Scottish smoking ban says that fears in Ireland and NY City that smoking bans would decimate patronage prooved wrong as pubs supposedly now attract more folks than before as many were put off by the smoke."

Actually - that's untrue. The publicans here are complaining that people have been driven away from pubs. This is as a result of both the smoking ban and the increase in the price of a pint in the pubs. People are now choosing to drink at home instead of going out. Some pubs are doing very well though....those with the big beer gardens with heating and shelter.

by the way - when I say "here" I mean Ireland.

What's the real issue here? That smokers have to stand or sit outside?

You don't wander into the kitchen of the pub or restaurant and hover over the stove and oven to inhale that smoke.

You don't direct the exhaust of your car into the passenger area.

Go smoke in the great outdoors - no matter what country. All you need to do is watch a friend die from smoking and cancer - this will cure your habit quickly!

Marqus: I understand the Dutch law is non-discriminatory when it comes to smoke - coffeeshops, which are licensed by the government and can and have been closed recently for violations, would also be subject. Unless they do discriminate and say that cannabis smoke is not nearly as dangerous or lethal as tobacco smoke. Studies saying that distributed by the DEA here to school kids point to that being the case but these studies i understand were down with leaves of the cannabis plant, not the flowers, or 'bud' which is smoked. Study tobacco with burning its flower probably would show far less danger than tobacco leaves. Anyway that will be the day when Dutch coffeeshops goes smokeless - maybe a way of shutting them down as current right gov't wants to.

Here in Queensland, Australia, the govt. is bringing similar non smoking laws in 2005, and I believe most other states of Australia will do likewise down the track.
MKingdom2, have you ever looked at the pub ceilings in Britain, with the brown stained ceiling, just imagine the lungs of smokers, and the poor staff who have to breathe someone else second hand tobacco. Just about every Aussie that visits Britain, seems to mention with the astonishment of "how many Brits & Europeans" smoke. I know of many Aussies who said they wouldn't visit an English pub, for that same reason.
Your right about smokers not living long, however, they do get to give it up in the end, lung cancer helps them stop smoking.

While I agree that the government forcing public places to go non-smoking is a bad law, it is my favorite bad law. Since I have asthma, I very much appreciate having more options when going out to eat or drink.

My dear, I never, ever go to pubs, and as far as I'm concerned, if smoking keeps people like you away, long may people light up!

My dear, let me re-phrase that I only go to pubs under an assumed name, when I pop out of cakes and blow the birthday party for $20 per guy.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I shall be duly flattered.

My dear, I see you are now claiming to be a flat imitation? Of what, pray tell.

MK2, stop the false bragging - you never got more than $2 from a guy in your entire streetwalking career.

Degas my dear note that that is my impersonator.

MK2 - sorry, I could of sworn it was you who took my two dollar bill. I'm a sucker for a fancy Mayfair address.