Smokers in Wales will not be able to light up in enclosed public spaces from April 2nd next year.

The ban covers pubs, restaurants and all public enclosed areas, including in taxis and on public transport.

The ban was due to be introduced next summer, in line with England.

But First Minister Rhodri Morgan announced last week it will come into force earlier.

"This is a public health measure. We want to save lives from passive smoking - therefore we should do it at the earliest possible date," he said.

He referred to Ireland where pubs have successfully solved the problem by providing garden contraptions' for smokers to use.

Licensee Juliette Llewellyn, who runs The Castle, The Glen and Milford Arms in Haverfordwest, said half her customers were smokers, and added: "We are aware of the ban and have been trying to introduce it gently. We have asked people politely if they would refrain from smoking at the bar itself and we have set up non-smoking areas in all three pubs. It is very difficult to please everyone."

One driver for Preseli Taxis said: "I'm a non smoker so I think it's a brilliant idea to ban smoking in taxis, buses and trains. We already have no smoking signs in our taxis but unfortunately no-one takes any notice of them."

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said all the authority's offices, libraries and other public buildings had been non-smoking areas for a long time.

Caroline Oakley, director of nursing and quality for Pembrokeshire NHS Trust, said the trust already implements a no smoking policy, in line with department of health guidelines, which prohibits smoking in any of its premises. She added the trust would closely scrutinise the legislation to see how it could further improve its policy.

A national campaign to raise awareness of the ban will include beer mats and posters in pubs and clubs. A consultation on the draft regulations is running until October 13th. Have your say at www.smokingbanwales.co.uk.