We've learned from Ireland [where a similar smoking ban was implemented in March 2004] that the best way to begin these changes is to have a strong public presence. From next Sunday, we will be popping into bars and clubs and making sure that managers are coping. But we won't be slapping fines on anyone without giving them an adequate warning, and we're not really interested in following smokers home. We're planning a very 'softly softly' approach, because you can't change a nation's culture overnight. We just want to ensure the public know exactly what's expected.
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