A new Europe-wide study has provided further evidence of the positive health effects resulting from Irish-style smoking bans.
As part of the study, more than 100,000 smokers and non-smokers from the 27 member states took a test to measure the level of carbon monoxide in their bodies.
Levels of the chemical in the bodies of smokers was found to be more than four times that of non-smokers and twice the maximum level tolerated for air pollution.
Overall carbon monoxide levels were also higher in countries that don't have a total indoor smoking ban and in countries where cigarettes are cheaper.
Ireland is identified as the best country in Europe for protecting non-smokers from tobacco smoke and the second best for its tobacco pricing policies.
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