When the market re-opens at 8.30am on Tuesday, customers and traders who were used to lighting up a cigarette will have to stand outside the yellow fence boundary of the market’s compound.

Traders fear the ban on smoking in public places – which officially comes into force tomorrow – could “kill trade”.

They are also questioning the wisdom of introducing the ban when the canopy covering the market is open on all four sides.

According to Government legislation, structures which have more than half of their sides open to the air are not classed as “enclosed”, meaning that smoking does not have to be banned.

However, Peterborough City Council has ordered that the market becomes smoke-free after the authority’s environmental health team ran the rule over the area.

While some traders and customers can understand the logic of banning smoking under the canopy, the decision to include the open-air compound, where people have traditionally enjoyed a coffee and cigarette, has caused uproar.

Paul Payne, the proprietor of Hotspur Frames, said: “It is not incumbent on the city council to enforce the ban within the market.

“Government laws clearly state that open-sided ares such as the market are not required to be non-smoking.”

Barry Squires, a 20-a-day smoker who has presided over a luggage and bag stall for 22 years, said: “The Government seem to be saying one thing and the council another. It seems that the law has been expanded beyond its barriers.”

City workers Caroline Branton and Sharon Ashwell enjoyed their last cigarette in the market yesterday.

Caroline said: “I could understand it being banned in the market itself, but all round is open-air.

“Council spokesman Gareth Roberts confirmed that the market would become smoke-free from tomorrow, along with hundreds of other premises, including pubs, clubs, offices, factories and cafes.

Mr Roberts said: “The decision was taken to make the market smoke-free after taking advice from the city council’s environmental health team.

“They concluded that because several outlets within the precinct were substantially enclosed the market as a whole should be treated as such.” Comment: Page 6