IT'S ILLEGAL in New York and New Zealand is due to follow suit next year.

In Birmingham, Ireland and Brighton groups are already lamenting the many hours they could spend on pavements if campaigners get their way.

Smoking is already forbidden in some restaurants and bars across the UK but one national pizza chain has taken a deep breath and gone all the way - banning "puffing" in all of its 500 outlets.

Pizza Hut claims to be the country's first nationwide restaurant to make the move, although a partial ban has been in place for some time.

The company says its decision hopes to protect both customers and staff from the dangers of passive smoking.

Dave Shane, manager of Pizza Hut in Barrack Road Christchurch, said his restaurant had been non-smoking for the last few years, as had other branches.

"We've had a couple of grumbles from smokers but generally the public think it's a good idea," he said. "People are pleasantly surprised."

Builders Richard Ayles and John Bartlett were outside the restaurant having a "crafty one" before their meal.

"No problem with it," said Richard, "it makes me smoke less because I have to get up and go outside for one."

"I see the logic behind it. I don't like people smoking when I'm eating," said John.

Chairman of the Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association, Debbie Utteridge, said that a lot of the town's smaller hotels and guest houses had already introduced smoking bans.

"In recent years there has definitely been a move, especially in the smaller establishments, towards non-smoking in their restaurants and hotel rooms.

"I can see a non-smoking culture in the UK in the future, but with so many foreign visitors still smoking it will cause a problem."

Clive Marshallsay, manager of the Neptune by Boscombe Pier, part of the Brewsters chain, said the restaurant has a small smoking section for about 16 to 20 diners, attached to the bar area which is also available to smokers.

He said: "Personally I think it's wrong for people to smoke in a restaurant while others are eating. It's just not polite."