England has banned smoking from all public buildings, including Buckingham Palace.

The ban, which became effective Sunday, applies to public venues such as pubs, movie theatres and shopping malls.

England is the last United Kingdom country to adopt the no-smoking rule in public places. Scotland adopted it last year and Wales and Northern Ireland in April.

The Republic of Ireland instituted the ban three years ago

Public service announcements about the new policy were broadcast on trains and on television, and overseas travellers were warned as their flights arrived.

The penalty for violating the new rule will be about $100.

With files from the Associated Press