LANDLORDS across Mid Cheshire have given a big thumbs-down to calls for a ban on smoking in public places - with one saying it would be a 'disaster'.

The publicans have given their views on the growing demands for legislation to be brought in to deal with the dangers of passive smoking.

Evidence suggests up to 1,000 adults per year are dying as a result of breathing other's smoke.

Now respected medical organisations such as the Royal College of Physicians feel the current system of voluntary self-regulation in pubs and restaurants just isn't working.

But landlords strongly disagree.

Jill Roberts, manager of the Penny Black in Northwich, says staff do everything they can to enforce smoking regulations.

'Wetherspoons already has designated non-smoking areas and we work extremely hard to ensure people do not smoke in them, due to the unpleasant atmosphere it causes for nonsmokers,' she said.

'But I think smoking is very much associated with pubs - a cigarette and a pint are closely tied and even if the Government did go down the New York route, I think it would be very hard to control.'

Meanwhile, Dave Heath, landlord of the nearby Green Dragon pub, says a ban would be a 'disaster'.

'80% of my customers smoke and in my opinion I can't stop them - they come out for a pint and a cig,' he said.

'If this ban happens then it will be a trade disaster for North-wich - if people can't smoke in the pub then I might as well sell the place.'

Similar sentiments are echoed in Winsford, where Rita Gomm, who has just taken over the licence of the Denbigh Arms, believes a smoking ban would be a bad idea.

She said: 'We have just the one room, so we won't be telling our customers not to smoke. It would not be fair on them.

'It's not a good idea - I think if people want to have a smoke with a drink, it is not fair to try to stop them.'

In Middlewich, Fred Smith, landlord at Cat's Bar, believes the Big Brother approach is too much.

A smoker himself, he defends the right to smoke in public, saying: 'In my bar we have got a public notice saying it's a fully smoking bar. It's advertised on the front door and if they choose to not come in that's up to them.

'I'm a smoker - I would be severely unhappy if it was to be banned.

'I personally I think it's up to the individual and if it's fully advertised that the whole premises is smoking, then there isn't a problem.'