Many licensees are running scared of getting their fingers burned when smoking in public places is outlawed. They fear customers who like a cigarette with their drink will simply stay at home instead.

In Ireland and Scotland, where lighting up bans are already in place, some pubs have had to close, and across the board profits were down by 10 per cent in the first six months.

Now, city planners are dealing with a rush of last-minute applications from pubs for permission to erect everything from canvas and glazed canopies, to heated patio areas, where people can light up.

Brewery firm Greene King is lavishing £50,000 on building a heated outdoor area for smokers at the Harrier, in Gunthorpe Road, and more tables and chairs have been provided in the beer garden.

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Today, manager Ray Gradwell, who estimated that about a third of his customers were smokers, said: "If I lose just five per cent of that total, it will be bad. I am scared of losing trade and I have a number of staff who are local that I do not want to lay off."

Harrier regulars Annette and Robert Avery, of Richmond Avenue, Walton, both smoke.

Robert said: "We are both looking to kick the habit on July 1, but we feel this ban is a form of social control."

Meanwhile, city centre bar Yates's is trying to persuade the city council to give the thumbs-up to putting six tables and 12 chairs on the pavement in Broadway.

Manager Spencer Lloyd said: "It's going to be hard, and some pubs may go out of business because of it. At first we could see 200 fewer people on a typical weekend night."

Four city pubs – The Boathouse, in Thorpe Meadows, The Woodman, in Thorpe Wood, The Coopers, in Copeland, Bretton, and The Crab and Winkle, in Loxley, Werrington – have already been given permission for shelters.

Far from being downhearted, city centre director Annette Joyce, whose aim is to encourage a busy nightlife scene, said the ban was an opportunity to attract a wave of new customers.

She said: "Experiences in Scotland and Ireland show that there could be an initial dip in trade, but that has been followed by an upturn. many non-smokers could become new customers."

City council spokesman Mike Lennox claimed surveys in places where the ban was already in force showed it was welcomed by smokers and non-smokers alike.

He said: "Many local pubs have already submitted planning applications for outdoor canopies to accommodate smokers, and in almost every case these can be dealt with swiftly under powers delegated to officers."

Anyone caught flouting the ban could be hit with £50 fines.

Mixed views from drinkers over ban

Customers at the Harrier pub in Gunthorpe have different views on their local going smoke free.

Non-smoker Aaran Townsend (20), of The Pentlands, Gunthorpe, said: "I am pleased by the ban. Some of my friends who smoke are planning to quit by the time of the ban.

"It is a good idea that the pub is doing all this stuff for smokers, though."

John Swallow (45) and his wife Maxine (31), of Donaldson Drive, Paston, use the non-smoking area.

John said: "It's not nice going somewhere and there is smoke everywhere. I think smokers should have a shelter and that's it."

Smoker Mark hazel (40), who retired on medical grounds, said: "It has come to the point where we are being dictated to."