Will we or won't we? Smoke ban verdict near.

(From Belfast Telegraph)

Byline: Nigel Gould

Health Minister, Angela Smith, will announce shortly whether or not Northern Ireland should have a province-wide smoking ban.

And as the Republic celebrated its first anniversary since the implementation of its smoking ban, the Department of Health here revealed that the response to a consultation on a similar ban had been "overwhelming".

Tens of thousands of replies have poured into the department's headquarters since it began three months ago

And a spokesman said an announcement would be made in due course.

He added: "The department wishes to thank everyone who took part in …