Lung cancer is Northern Ireland's biggest cancer killer

Macmillan Cancer Relief has sent letters to mayors in the province, outlining the effects of smoking on lung cancer rates.

The disease is Northern Ireland's biggest cancer killer, with 850 people diagnosed each year.

Smoking is to be banned in all workplaces in the Irish Republic, including pubs, restaurants and hotels, from 26 January next year.

Heather Monteverde, General Manager of Macmillan in Northern Ireland, said smoking bans in public places have been shown to encourage smokers to give up.

"Smoking and passive smoking cause nine out of 10 lung cancers," she said.

"The simplest and most effective way for councils to lower lung cancer rates and help save lives is to enact a ban on smoking in public places."

Restaurateurs and bar owners in the Irish Republic have claimed that such a ban would hit their custom.

A newly-formed lobby group, the Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance, claims a total ban could cost up to 65,000 jobs across Ireland and devastate rural pubs especially.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and Health Minister Micheal Martin have insisted that the ban will work and have rejected calls for a compromise.