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Medical staff have delivered a petition with 35,000 signatures to Stormont, home of the Irish executive, calling for an end to smoking in workplaces in Northern Ireland.
The responses came following the 'A Healthier Future' consultation document, which questioned whether Northern Ireland should "ban smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces in Northern Ireland".
Arlene Spiers, chief executive of the Ulster Cancer Foundation, said research by her organisation had found that smokers, non-smokers, employees, employers, unions and customers all agreed that workers should not be exposed to cancer-causing substances in the line of duty.
"The minister must heed this huge public response in support of smoke-free workplaces and must act quickly to implement comprehensive legislation," she said.
A recent MORI survey showed that 69% of the Northern Ireland population favoured a complete ban on smoking in the workplace and in public places.
