European Union governments are being urged to follow the example of the United Kingdom and Ireland and impose a wide ranging smoking ban within the next three years.

The call is coming from the European Commission, which has adopted a recommendation requesting firm national measures to protect citizens from tobacco smoke.

Announcing the new anti-tobacco campaign, the EU health commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou, said: “There is a wave of support from the general public and we will work with member states to make this a reality.”

According to a pan-European Eurobarometer survey, 84% of …