A smoking ban is to be implemented in all Northern Ireland's workplaces and enclosed public spaces in April 2007.
Public figures have been giving their reaction to the announcement made by Northern Ireland Office minister Shaun Woodward.
Dr Etta Campbell, NI Chief Medical Officer
"I believe that this is truly a momentous day for the health of the public in Northern Ireland, not just for us but for our children and indeed for generations to come.
"(The minister) has shown strong leadership and long-term vision, and his name will go down in history as having done something really worthwhile for the people of Northern Ireland.
"Amidst the euphoria of today's announcement, we must not lose sight of the wider tobacco control that is needed and we all together have much work to do to make Northern Ireland a tobacco-free place.
"One-by-one, the building blocks are being put in place, today being a very powerful and strong building block."
Dr Brian Gaffney, NI Health Promotion Agency
"This is undoubtedly the most significant public health initiative we have had in Northern Ireland for many years and one which should be celebrated.
"Bringing in smoke-free workplaces is one of the best ways to tackle smoking related illnesses, which claim up to 3,000 lives every year in Northern Ireland, and it will have long-term beneficial effects for all our health.
"In the interim period, before the legislation is put into operation, we would encourage those employers who don't have a no-smoking policy in their workplace to start looking at implementing one now."
Tim Lord, Tobacco Manufacturers' Association
Mr Lord said the minister had "chosen to ignore the wishes of the majority".
"Government data (ONS) shows that in the UK only 31% of people want a total ban on smoking in pubs.
"Research undertaken in Northern Ireland itself by Forest found that only 33% of people consider smoking should be banned completely in all pubs, bars and clubs, with 43% thinking that pubs and clubs should be mainly non-smoking but with separate areas for smoking."
He said a total ban may have a "drastic effect" on the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.
Andrew Dougal, NI Chest, Heart and Stroke Association
"Hard figures showed that there has been no adverse economic effect from the introduction of smoke-free work environments in the Republic of Ireland.
"Bar retail sales in volume terms have increased during the last three-month period compared to the previous year.
"This is after a decline which has lasted for four years. This decline set in well before any smoke-free work environments were required by legislation."
Wilfred Mitchell, Federation of Small Businesses policy chairman
"The majority of Northern Ireland's 65,000 small businesses already have a voluntary smoking ban in place in their workplaces and should have little difficulty in making the necessary adjustment.
"However, we do have a minority of members who run pubs who have expressed concern that they could see a drop in business as a result of this ban, and so we would urge the government to be sensitive in its implementation for this important sector of our economy.
"We also need clarification if this ban also applies to clubs which serve alcohol as well, as if it does not, it would provide them with an unfair advantage over pubs that are affected by today's decision."
Anti-smoking campaigner Dr Peter Maguire, of the British Medical Association
"At last there will be the same protection for workers here as in the Republic of Ireland.
"Scotland's workforce will also be fully protected from April 2006, and we will keep up the pressure on our politicians to make sure that no time is wasted implementing the ban here."
Simon Clark, Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco
"Polls throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland, show that people want more no-smoking areas, better ventilation and separate rooms for smokers.
"Only a minority support a total ban on smoking in pubs and clubs. By ignoring public opinion, Mr Woodward has treated the electorate with contempt.
"There is no conclusive evidence that second-hand smoke in a serious threat to health. To argue otherwise is an abuse of science."
Deborah Arnott, director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
"This welcome move throws into stark relief the protracted dithering by the UK cabinet about a decision for England.
"Over the next two years, enclosed public places in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will all become fully smoke-free.
"Anything less for England would be a timid and unworkable bodge. It is past time for ministers to make up their minds - England must be smoke-free too."
Dr Jane Wilde, Director of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland
"Legislation to stop smoking in all workplaces will have a big impact on all who live in Northern Ireland but the greatest impact will be on the health of those who are most vulnerable - staff in the hospitality industry."
Jerry Bartlett, NASUWT deputy general security
The teachers' trade union representative said the government had had a duty to protect workers from the inhalation of second-hand smoke.
"Scientific evidence suggests that the health risks associated with passive smoking have previously been understated," he said.
Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary
"It is hard to see how the government can hang on to their plan to permit smoking in clubs and pubs that do not serve food, or bring forward new loopholes such as special 'cancer rooms' in pubs where people can smoke but not get served.
"If workers in the rest of the UK are to be protected from passive smoking, so should those in England."
Martin Bradley, Royal College of Nursing NI
"Nurses in Northern Ireland are pleased that the minister has listened to the overwhelming majority of people here who expressed such decisive support for a comprehensive workplace smoking ban earlier in the year.
"We are also pleased that he has recognised that there is incontrovertible evidence that second-hand smoke kills and that the arguments put forward in support of a partial ban were flawed.
"This decision is excellent news for nurses, health service staff and the people of Northern Ireland."
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