Like it or not, smoking will be banned in all public indoor spaces in the UK by Summer 2007.

Many hotel, pub and restaurant owners have been preparing by extending their shaded outdoor eating and drinking area using parasols and awnings.

We would advise investing in quality patio umbrellas and shade as only these will last all year outdoors. Our Tradewinds range, for example, as removeable and replaceable parts so that if breakages occur, you dont need to replace the whole umbrella. Please ring for more advice.

Here are more details on the ban itself

Where will smoking be banned?

Smoking in all indoor public places will be banned. Many places - such as cinemas and public transport - have rarely permitted smoking in recent years, and so it will be places like pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and private members' clubs that feel the biggest impact of the ban.

Where will you be able to smoke?

You'll still be allowed to light up outdoors, in the home or places considered to be 'homes', such as prisons, care homes and hotels.

Smoking could still be banned at certain outdoor locations that are 'substantially enclosed', such as football grounds and railway platforms. No decision has yet been made on smoking inside cars carrying passengers.

What will happen if a smoker is caught?

If you're caught smoking in a banned area you could be fined £50.

Those in charge of the premises would be fools to let you get away with it, especially considering that they could face a £2,500 fine if they fail to stop you. They could also be charged on-the-spot fines of £200 if they fail to display no-smoking signs, with the penalty increasing to £1,000 if the issue goes to court.

When will the ban come into force?

This depends on the area of the UK:

England - July 1, 2007

The initial plans for a partial ban in England were binned because Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt felt it was impractical and wouldn't offer enough protection from passive smoking for workers in places such as bars and clubs.

Scotland - March 2006

It's hoped that the ban will have a very positive impact on the Scottish nation, since smoking here is attributable to a shocking one in four of all deaths.

Wales - April 2, 2007

The UK government allowed Wales to decide on its own smoking ban, despite the fact that the Welsh Assembly isn't normally given such wide-ranging powers. Wales was actually the first part of the UK to vote for a full smoking ban.

Northern Ireland - April 30, 2007

Three years after the Republic of Ireland's total ban, Northern Ireland is following suit. No-one has a right to subject colleagues and workmates to the dangers and hazards of second-hand smoke," says its Health Minister Shaun Woodward.