Dublin, Ireland (CNN) -- Visualize an Irish pub: there's likely fiddles, pints, and smoke -- and lots of it. While that may be a reality in some Irish pubs abroad, that hasn't been entirely the case in Ireland for the last decade. March 29 marked the 10-year anniversary of a workplace smoking ban in Ireland, extending to pubs and restaurants. Ireland was the first country worldwide to enact such a sweeping ban. The initiative made smoking in enclosed workplaces illegal, punishable by a fine of up to 3,000 euros, or about $4,200. The ban has spawned copycat laws across the globe. Norway and New Zealand followed that same year, as did Uganda. Now, dozens of countries from Brazil to Bhutan have joined Ireland in creating a nationwide workplace smoking ban -- the United States not among them. Russia will join the list in June.Ireland was the world's first nation to ban smoking in public placesHealth officials hail the ban as a successHowever, some in Ireland say they're actually smoking moreE-cigarettes have become a popular alternative
He says the workplace ban infringes on _ freedoms and impedes business, especially in rural areas.