The ban would follow several other bans imposed recently around the world, and would create a smoke-free Ireland since the Irish Republic introduced a smoking ban in March 2004.
The move was announced as a County Down consultant led a delegation of doctors to Downing Street calling for a UK-wide ban on smoking in workplaces.
Smoking is to be banned in all Northern Ireland government departments from January 2005, although prisons are to be exempt.
Finance Minister Ian Pearson said: “All government departments and the Northern Ireland Office place considerable importance on creating and maintaining a healthy and safe working environment for all staff.”
Dr. Peter Maguire, who works at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry, led the delegation of doctors.
“It is unequivocally clear that 1,000 people die per year in the UK as a direct result of passive smoking,” he said. “This is unacceptable in the 21st century.”
The Ulster Cancer Foundation urged the NIO to introduce legislation and use Northern Ireland as a pilot for a UK-wide ban.
“Since the successful implementation of the ban in the Republic (of Ireland) there has been a growing groundswell of public support for the introduction of legislation here,” said a charity spokesman.
Health Minister Angela Smith welcomed the move to a complete ban on smoking.
“This is a very important employer-driven initiative, which is in line with the Tobacco Action Plan, published in June 2003, and will, hopefully, encourage other employers in Northern Ireland to follow. It may also help those smokers who wish to quit.”
Since the Irish republic’s smoking ban in March, compliance has been around 96 to 98 percent.
Tim Lord, of the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association, told the Today programme the link between passive smoking and serious illnesses was still unclear.
He said the tobacco industry was in favor of more smoke free areas within bars and restaurants and more smoke free venues but wanted this to be done on a voluntary basis rather than by a national ban.
The Ulster Cancer Foundation urged the NIO to introduce legislation and use Northern Ireland as a pilot for a UK-wide ban.
“Since the successful implementation of the ban in the Republic (of Ireland) there has been a growing groundswell of public support for the introduction of legislation here,” said a charity spokesman.