A NORTH Yorkshire pub is believed to be the first in the region to impose a total smoking ban in the wake of new Government proposals to curb smoking in public places.

Regulars craving a cigarette at the Blue Bell Country Inn, near Easingwold, now have to brave the wind and rain after smoking was completely stubbed out inside the venue.

Landlord Mike Anson said his decision to call time on lighting up, which came into force last Friday, had already proved popular with diners at the Alne inn.

He said: "We were going to do this in January, but decided to bring it in earlier.

"98 per cent of our trade is food-based. We only get the odd person coming in for just a drink."

"Also, the percentage of smokers is very small, so it seemed like a good idea."

The ban comes after the Government announced plans that could see smoking banned in most English pubs by 2008.

This month's White Paper plans to make most enclosed public spaces tobacco-free, although private clubs and pubs not serving prepared food would be spared.

Mr Anson, 44, who has run the village pub with wife Annette for nearly three years, said the growing chances of a ban made his move sensible.

He added: "People do not like eating with second-hand smoke travelling around. It will be nice to have a clean atmosphere and a lot of the people that come here love it."

The landlord said he was considering putting up a heated tent for smokers to use outside the pub. This would provide shelter for diehards, but may need planning permission, he added.

He continued: "It's going to be the law soon anyway, so it's best to get on with it really."

Landlady Linda Foster, of the York Licensed Victuallers' Association, said the Blue Bell's clampdown was the first of its kind she was aware of in North Yorkshire.

"It's the first pub I know that has done this, although a lot of pubs, like ours, have no smoking at the bar," said the landlady at York's Golden Ball.

She said any attempt to bring blanket bans into the city's more traditional pubs would face opposition - and could hit trade.

"I've just come back from Canada where there is a complete ban," she added. "The bar I went to was virtually empty and the smokers had to go outside on the pavement.

"In this kind of situation a complete ban is just as antisocial as smoking itself."

A regular at the Blue Bell told the Evening Press: "It's a decision that has generally gone down well with most customers.

"I have heard the odd grumble, but people who want to smoke have stuck by the rules and gone outside for a cigarette. I think the atmosphere in the pub is a lot better now, especially for those people who are enjoying meals."

Updated: 09:45 Tuesday, November 30, 2004