it seems the Province's literary landmarks are under threat from the new legislation.
Dancing at Lughnasa, Brian Friel's classic play, which is set to open at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast next month, features key scenes where one of the characters smokes.
"The two smoking scenes are an important part of the play and we tried everything, including an approach to the new Minister for Health, to get round the legislation," the Lyric's executive director Michael Diskin said.
In the Republic, where the smoking ban has been in force for two years, the use of herbal cigarettes is permitted on stage.
But there is no way round the ban in Northern Ireland, and several shows with key smoking scenes have already been affected.
Yet, in this case, the solution came directly from the author after an appeal from the director.
"We were really struggling with this until Brian Friel himself offered to help," Mr Diskin said.
While the smoking ban covers theatres, other types of fire are permitted on stage – as long as there is a proper risk assesment and suitable fire prevention measures in place.
So candles, cookers and campfires are all allowed in the theatre, but tobacco is not.
"Brian Friel, at a stroke, showed how the scenes could be restructured to give the same dramatic effect without breaking the new regulations," Mr Diskin said.
The Lyric received a fax from the playwright's home in Donegal with a revised set of stage instructions for the two scenes in question.
It was not the first time Friel has had difficulties with smoking – he had come across a related problem in a recent production of Faith Healer in Newhaven, USA, where a prolonged smoking scene resulted in a walk-out by some members of the audience.
Mr Diskin was keeping tight-lipped about how the play will now get round the ban, but he encouraged theatre-goers to come along and see for themselves how an Ulster classic has been reworked to suit modern sensibilities.
"We're grateful that Brian Friel helped us on this occasion.
"Our view on the smoking ban is that there should be an exemption where the artistic integrity of the performance makes it appropriate for a person taking part to smoke," he said.
Dancing at Lughnasa runs at the Lyric Theatre from Friday, June 1 to Saturday, July 7. To book tickets, phone the box office on 9038 1081 or book online at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk