The ban affects huge numbers of businesses and leisure outlets. It covers all public places including offices, factories, pubs, cinemas and public transport – even private clubs will become smoke-free places.

Smokers will be allowed to smoke only outdoors and in private homes, which includes care institutions, army barracks and prisons.

The government is hoping the ban will see more than 600,000 people quit the habit in order to avoid being forced outside.

People caught smoking in enclosed public places face on-the-spot fines of £50 and court action can be taken against premises.

Businesses are also liable for £200 fines if 'no-smoking' signs are not displayed and face fines of up to £2,500 if they refuse to enforce the law.

Members of council staff are being trained to ensure bars, restaurants and shops are smoke-free from July 1.

Local authorities have been handed the powers to dish out fines so that enforcing the legislation does not consume police time.

Pubs and clubs are likely to be the worst-hit area of the leisure industry when the ban comes into effect.

Venues have been forced to provide outdoor smoking areas to ensure customers keep coming through the doors.

But most of the area's pubs are confident trading will not take a hit as a result of the ban.

Landlady at the Globe Inn, Southgate, Sharon Chittock, said: "We planned in advance and have constructed a garden area with
shelter and outdoor heating.

"We have spoken to a lot of regulars and they seem fairly happy about the ban and by the sounds of it the majority of them are going to quit smoking. I honestly don't think there will be a problem."

Manager of Thursdays night club, Richard Nye added: "Our position has always been one of good fortune because we are well-known for our outside area.

"This will provide a place for smokers from the beginning of July.

"We will also try to provide cover for light rain, though obviously this might not be possible if there are gale-force winds and thunderstorms.

But Mr Nye believes that the leisure industry will take a hit when the ban takes effect.

He added: "It's bound to have some effect at first. It probably won't be so bad for us because we've always had that outside area.

"There are bound to be people aggrieved by the ban but there will probably be more non-smokers who are positive about it."

However, some smokers are less happy about the imminent ban.
Graham Brown, who works in Chichester and drinks at the Nags Head in St Pancras, said: "I think the decision should have been left to individual landlords. It's disgusting.

"A non-smoker has the choice whether to go to a pub.

"A pub is supposed to be a place where you can go, smoke and meet people – you can't change that."

Sussex Enterprise believes the ban will have an impact on the leisure industry.

Director of strategy Gill Edinburgh said: "Our advice to businesses is to be prepared and look for opportunities to target new markets.

"For instance, pubs could develop image-friendly and food-based
offerings designed for new consumer groups that may not have previously visited pubs. Pubs may experience a fall in drink sales, but an increase in food sales could outweigh any losses.

"Long-term benefits of the ban should see positive results for business and employees."

There is concern that the number of cigarette ends littering the streets will rise because more people will be smoking outside rather than in secluded environments.

Keep Britain Tidy is aiming to tackle the problem by launching a
campaign.

Keep Britain Tidy's executive director Louise Arnold said: "It would be foolish to think that when people have to smoke outside, they won't drop their cigarette ends on the floor.

"The state of Ireland's streets suffered when the ban was brought in there, so we have to assume that the same is going to happen here, unless there is a change in ways."