AT 6am on Sunday, July 1, the Health Act 2006 comes into force and smokers lighting-up in enclosed workplaces and public spaces must go outside.

The law covers pubs, restaurants, shops, offices, factories, public transport and work vehicles.

Dr Richard Harling, Worcestershire's new joint director of public health, says it is good news.

"This is a win-win law," he said. "The workforce - including bar staff - will be protected from the destructive harm caused by second hand tobacco smoke.

"In addition, the law on workplace smoking may provide further incentive to quit for the 70 per cent of smokers who would prefer to break the habit."

Places where more than one person works must go smoke free. Vehicles used for work by more than one person, regardless of whether they are in the vehicle at the same time, must also be smoke free.

Indoor smoking rooms in workplaces will go too.

By law, people who manage smoke-free premises or vehicles must display no smoking signs and stop people from lighting up.

Councils will be responsible for implementing and enforcing the ban and have been given Government grants to fund it.

Smokers who flout the rules can get a fixed penalty notice of £50 or a £200 fine if they are convicted in court. Premises failing to display signs can be fined £200 or £1,000 if prosecuted.

Those which fail to prevent smokers lighting up could be fined up to £2,500.

We will use a light touch to enforce the new law

LOCAL councils will have the job of enforcing the ban.

Mike Harrison, head of cleaner and greener at Worcester City Council, said that it gets £47,000 from the Government to do the job.

He said a maximum of 16 existing staff were involved in overseeing the ban, with extra staff being taken on to fill their posts as they are needed.

"We have sent out advance publications making people aware, including beer mats, T-shirts and leaflets," he said.

"We have bought some smoking, cigarette and chewing gum containers and are working with landlords and shop owners to find places to fit them.

"We are not going to go out and punish people, we are going to go out, help and advise them and sort out any problems."

He said it was impossible to predict whether there would be an increase in street litter until the ban was in force but said smokers dropping butts could be fined.

Meanwhile, Malvern Hills District Council's environmental health team will be delivering smoke free packs to businesses, which contain advice and no smoking signs to help them comply with the legislation.

Smoking Ban outside our hospitals: what you said

John Cole, aged 67, of St John's, Worcester, said: "I don't like smoking but banning it from the hospital is a bit of a grey area. I don't really agree with it. Then again, a lot of people aren't clean and they drop the ends all over the floor."

Stacey Woodend, aged 26, of Dines Green, Worcester, said: "I gave up a year-and-a-half ago and it was the best thing I've done. It's definitely a good idea to ban it from the hospital. It's not fair on the patients, or the people who are visiting."

Samuel Walters, aged 79, of Spetchley, Worcester, said: "It's a good idea. It's bad for people going in and out and horrible finding butts all over the floor. I was in hospital when they allowed smoking outside the ward. It wasn't very nice."

Angela Gunter, aged 63, of Dines Green, Worcester, said: "They are treating people in there for smoking related diseases and to have people outside smoking seems stupid. The nurses who smoke are setting a bad example too."