Mark Devenport BBC Northern Ireland political editor

There used to be a time when politicians gravitated to smoke-filled rooms to negotiate deals with trade unionists or other lobbyists.

Smoking is banned in workplaces in the Irish Republic

This is no longer the case - smokers now appear under siege, and it is a rare elected representative who will allow themselves to be seen in public puffing a pipe or chewing on a cigar.

You no longer see Gerry Adams pipe in hand, while one of Stormont's most dedicated smokers, Seamus Mallon, gave up some years ago.

This past week could go down in history as one when Northern Ireland took a decisive step towards joining the Irish Republic in its vision of a smoke-free future.

Then again, it could be remembered as the time when smokers and publicans south of the border began to mount a grassroots rebellion against their isolation from mainstream society.

The week began with the Northern Ireland Office closing more than 140 smoking rooms in its own buildings.

Dr Peter Maguire handed in a petition at Downing Street

You have to go to jail now if you want to smoke in a government building, because prisons are the only places not covered by the ban.

At the same time, Newry-based doctor Peter Maguire handed in a petition at Downing Street.

He spoke graphically about how his own experiences as an anaesthetist had turned him into an anti-smoking activist, and how he now travelled south for a smoke-free pint.

The BMA's petition was signed by more than 4,000 of Dr Maguire's colleagues calling on the government to follow Dublin in banning smoking in all workplaces, including pubs and restaurants.

Some argue that Northern Ireland should be a test area for the UK in piloting a smoking ban, because of its proximity to the smoke-free pubs south of the border

But south of the border came the first signs of a revolt by smokers and publicans, when a Galway pub, Fibber Magee's, openly defied the Irish law, allowing its clientele to puff away in an upstairs bar.

The Galway rebels fell into line, however, when threatened with legal action and the possible loss of their licence to sell alcohol.

Does this mean a smoking ban is coming Northern Ireland's way or will the government fight shy, especially given that the former chain-smoking Health Secretary John Reid has expressed his own doubts about a ban?

Dr Reid famously introduced an element of class warfare to the debate, characterising supporters of the ban as middle class do-gooders attempting to deprive the poor of one of their few remaining pleasures.

That somewhat injudicious comment came as part of Labour's "Big Conversation" on smoking, a conversation which Labour has not extended to include the views of people in Northern Ireland.

Some argue that Northern Ireland should be a test area for the UK in piloting a smoking ban, because of its proximity to the smoke-free pubs south of the border.

The Ulster Cancer Foundation told the BBC's Inside Politics they have been lobbying for such a pilot scheme.

It is understood the Northern Ireland Health Minister Angela Smith has raised the proposal in a preliminary manner with Dr Reid.

Reluctance

However, direct rule ministers do not have quite the same freedom of manoeuvre as their devolved predecessors.

It is an illustration of the reluctance of Stormont to get out of step with London that neither Ms Smith nor Ian Pearson, who introduced the ban on government buildings, have been available for interview on the smoking topic.

Any pilot scheme would be likely to run into opposition from Northern Ireland publicans.

The local Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade argues that the smoking bans in New York and the Irish Republic have led to a devastating fall in trade.

The Federation argues that no smoking areas in pubs rather than all-out bans are the answer, though it is hard to see how such a compromise could guarantee all bar staff would be protected from passive smoking.

Another factor weighing on some politicians' minds may be the impact on local industry.

Gallaher Cigarettes in Lisnafillan, near Ballymena, employs about 1,000 people, producing cigarettes for consumption in the UK and abroad.

Health Secretary John Reid was a heavy smoker until 18 months ago

Gallaher reported a 9% decline in their trade in the Irish Republic in the first five months of this year, something it put down to increased duty on tobacco.

The company says it is too early to assess the repercussions of the Irish smoking ban, which came into force in March, but acknowledges "there are some signs of initial volume impact".

DUP MLA Ian Paisley Junior, whose North Antrim constituency takes in the Gallaher factory, says he supports government efforts to reduce tobacco consumption.

However, he would vote against any all-out smoking ban if it came up for debate at Stormont.

He argues that politicians should be mindful of the impact of any further tobacco restrictions on much needed local jobs.

The politicians whose views will count the most, however, are more likely to be based in Scotland or England than North Antrim.

A recent survey by the Office of National Statistics suggested that, across the UK, only 20% of people back an outright ban on smoking in pubs.

This statistic which will weigh on the minds of Tony Blair and John Reid as they decide how to respond to the growing pressure for an Irish-style ban from doctors and health campaigners.