DUNDEE HAS attracted national and international attention for the way it operates the ban on smoking in public places, writes Brian Allison, local government reporter.

German TV, representatives from two local authorities and a health trust in England have been on fact-finding visits.

The ban on smoking in enclosed public places like pubs, restaurants, private clubs, offices, factories, buses, taxis and work vehicles came into effect in March last year.

Although the ban was brought in by the Executive, responsibility for enforcing it lies with local authorities. In Dundee, two enforcement officer posts were created by the city council with government funding.

A crew from GWR TV in Stuttgart came to Dundee to film the officers at work and see the effects of the ban.

With similar legislation looming in England later this year, groups from Preston City Council in Lancashire and Halton Borough Council, taking in Widnes and Runcorn in Cheshire, visited Dundee.

Members of the Lancashire Health Trust also travelled to the city.