A European Union-wide indoor smoking ban is being discussed at the highest levels of the European government, Reuters reported Jan. 30.

"At the end of the day there should be this comprehensive ban and I will be ready to defend this, not only before the health ministers, but also the finance ministers because there are also economic benefits for a country," said EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou.

He said he would like to see a ban implemented in the 27 EU nations "as soon as possible," saying more countries should follow the lead of Ireland, which banned smoking nationwide in pubs, restaurants, and other indoor public spaces.

Kyprianou added that he has no plans to discuss the proposal with the tobacco industry. "Why should I? I don't see anything can be achieved by this," he said. "They produce products that kill, it's simple."

The EU countries have been asked to submit smoking-ban proposals by May; the European Commission is expected to make recommendations on the issue in 2008.