Even passing pedestrians, cyclists and residents living close to Peterborough District Hospital in the city centre will be asked not to smoke anywhere near the premises.

People like Nigel Bates (42), from Turves, who lit up as he walked out of the hospital yesterday, could find themselves getting a rap over the knuckles in future, as hospital bosses are considering the introduction of hi-tech talking signs which will remind smokers of the ban.

However, Mr Bates greeted the news with a shrug and said: "If you take this 15 metres ban literally then yes, it would be stupid. But I think what they are asking here is for a little common sense. I'm a smoker and I wouldn't mind walking up the road to have a cigarette."

The measures are being brought in on January 1, 2007, to coincide with the Government's tough new smoking legislation, which comes into effect in public buildings next summer, but earlier for hospitals.

An announcement was due to be made by the trust next month, but a reader leaked an internal Factsheet publication, which had been circulated to staff, to The Evening Telegraph.

Today, Jason Hill, head of communications for the trust, confirmed the move and said: "At the moment, a lot of staff and visitors sit on the wall near the Accident and Emergency department on Aldermans Drive, which is not pleasant for those who have to walk through a cloud of smoke to gain access to the hospital.

"What we are saying is that our members of staff will be expected to abide by these rules, but we understand we will not be able to police it in any way, nor will we be marking out a 15-metre boundary. We are just asking members of the public to refrain from smoking near our sites.

"We will however, be putting up signs explaining where people can and can't smoke and we will hopefully have some hi-tech talking signs as well."

Currently, there is a ban on smoking in all hospital buildings, but smoking shelters are provided in the grounds at the district hospital, Edith Cavell and Stamford, for use by staff, patients and visitors. When the new rules come into force these will be taken away.

Today, director of nursing at the trust Chris Wilkinson said: "The main difference will be people will be asked not to smoke within 15 metres of our buildings or in our car parks. This is essentially so others do not have to walk through smoke to access our hospitals.

"We will be asking the local community to get involved with the smoke-free campaign and help us to keep their hospitals healthy."

However, local resident Dez White (26), of Aldermans Drive, said: "This is just another drive to take away the rights of smokers. Does this mean that if I'm walking past the hospital I can't have a cigarette?

"I can understand they don't want people sitting on the walls, but this 15-metre ban is taking it too far. It's outside, for goodness sake."