NI councils report 99% compliance with smoking ban

The authorities in the North are reporting 99% compliance with the smoking ban introduced last month.

The 26 local councils that monitor and enforce the ban say almost 18,000 inspections have been carried out and only 0.5% of premises were found to be non-compliant.

Forty-two written warnings have been issued about lack of no-smoking signage.

Meanwhile, a prescription-only anti-smoking pill has received draft approval for use on the British National Health Service.

Champix reduces cravings and partially blocks the pleasure received by smoking a cigarette.