Vatican Puts Out Smokers

The Vatican has extended its brief from saving people's souls to preserving their bodies - from July 1 smoking will be illegal in indoor public spaces and offices of the tiny medieval monarchy.

The pontifical commission for the Vatican City state announced the ban yesterday. Transgressors will be subject to a 30 euro (£19) fine, to be levied by officers of the Vatican gendarmerie.

The 44-hectare (108-acre) state has a population of about 800, but the impact of the new law will also be felt by the 2,000 white-collar administrative workers in the papal palaces.

Nuns are rarely seen to smoke but many monsignors and cardinals are partial to the odd puff and will now have to avail themselves of the picturesque Vatican gardens to indulge their addiction.

Church wags said that the only legal smoke to be found in the Vatican will be that coming from the Sistine Chapel chimney on the election of a new pope.