The ban will prohibit smoking within all enclosed workspaces. It comes over three years after the Republic of Ireland enforced the ban and fifteenth months since Scotland went smoke-free.
 
The chairman of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health's Construction Specialist Group, John Lacey said: "I'm delighted that construction workers will now be protected from tobacco smoke. It's a serious health hazard that has been neglected for far too long.
 
"I hope that employers in our industry will do everything they can to support employees who can no longer smoke at work or want to quit. Many employers in construction already have no-smoking policies on their premises and in company vehicles, particularly in crew buses, in place, and those that don't, won't find the change too difficult. In time, I'm sure this ban will have an extremely positive effect on the health of workers in our industry. Health and safety professionals are ready, willing and able to help organisations provide smoke-free environments for everyone!"