A total ban on smoking in all areas where food and drink are served looks increasingly likely as authorities begin to swing in favour of the idea.

Following intense discussion on the matter in the House Health Committee, Chairman Eleni Theocharous said that a ban would go ahead even if designated smoking areas were not provided.

According to Theocharous, the committee's view was that the ban should be implemented by the end of 2009 with definite dates being reached by the end of the summer.

She added that there had been a unanimous vote for a total ban within the committee and that within 15 days they would be in a position to present the House Plenum with a report for a vote on legislation for the ban.

Akel MP Panicos Stavrianos said that it was imperative a timeframe was drawn up with strict deadlines in order to combat the huge social problem that smoking presents, adding that any decisions that are reached must not create a form of ‘social racism' where smokers' rights are infringed.

Marinos Sizopoulos, of EDEK, said that opinions in the committee had conflicted between implementing a full smoking ban and allowing establishment owners to have a smoking area, completely separate to the rest of the building, which is well ventilated, isolated from clientele and where no food or drink were served.