For there is a heady whiff of romance swirling around - alongside the plumes of smoke - for guys and girls on Northern Ireland pavements.

The fine art of 'smirting' - being chatted up over a ciggie - on the street or in a beer garden - has hit Ulster with a passion!

The fun 'smoking and flirting' phenomenon was first given its name following the ban on smoking in bars, cafes, restaurants and other enclosed public places in the Irish Republic in the spring of 2004.

Since then 'smirting' has spread around the world - helping to bring a spark to the flames of desire in other smoke free places like California, New York and New Zealand.

And now it seems that Ulster 'Romeos' are finding their 'Juliets' over a crafty ciggie - with some non-smokers finding their love lives to be a drag by comparison!

The manager of one of the university area of Belfast's most popular pubs said that staff have already witnessed the phenomenon of 'smirting'.

Said The Globe's Greg McGonigle: "We saw lots of people heading outside to have a cigarette - especially because the weather had been so good.

"I don't smoke myself. But I can understand the benefits of going outside and 'smirting' as there is a more relaxed atmosphere and people maybe get a better chance to talk. There tends to be more girls who smoke as well. I've heard it said that some guys have even started smoking - so that they can chat up the girls!"

Botanic Inns pub group representative, Helen Mulholland, said that 'smirting' had become a "phenomenon" in the south of Ireland since the smoking ban came into effect there.

"But it is not something which we have necessarily seen a lot of yet, ourselves, because the smoking ban hasn't been in quite that long in Northern Ireland," she added.

Predictions are that 'smirting' will become more and more popular, in spite of the obvious damage to your health.

On the plus side, smoke may no longer get in your eyes at your local. But, non-nicotine addicts may also end up crying into their beer!