Ref. 26236-33SMOKERS have been told to stub out their cigarettes in all Pizza Hut restaurants across the country.

The news should not cause Swindon smokers too much alarm the town's two branches have already been smoke free for years.

But the company's decision to enforce a national no smoking policy across all of its 500 outlets has got some people wondering whether it could be a step towards a New York-style ban in all public bars and restaurants.

A spokeswoman for Swindon Council said officials did have powers to ban smoking from public areas for health and safety reasons, but in practice they were never used.

TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson, a patron of pro-smoking group Forest, has spoken out against Pizza Hut's decision.

"I do not see why people cannot enjoy a cigarette after a meal," he said.

"Why should a minority suffer? Restaurants and bars are places of adult entertainment where you are out enjoying yourself and relaxing, alcohol is consumed and that is exactly where smokers want to light up."

By contrast, the Government welcomed the move.

"Major changes to increase the number of smoke-free places will only come about, or be accepted, if people want them," said a Department of Health spokesman.

"We want to increase the public's awareness of the real health risks from second-hand smoke not merely the discomfort caused by being in a smoky atmosphere."

Even Forest has said it is relatively relaxed about the Pizza Hut ban.

"Companies should be free to decide the policy that best suits their business," said spokeswoman Jo Gaffikin.

"There are 13 million smokers in the UK and companies would be crazy not to accommodate them.

"We are happy as long as restaurants are not forced to ban smoking by the Government."

A survey of Swindon restaurants found smokers still have plenty of options if they want to light up after a meal.

Boswells restaurant, in the Brunel Centre, and the Blues Cafe and Bar in Havelock Street, both have smoking and non-smoking areas.

Pizza Express, in Bath Road, said it had no plans to follow Pizza Hut's decision.

Cafe Francais, in Havelock Street, and The Forum, inside the Westfield Shopping Centre both said it was unlikely a non-smoking policy would be introduced soon.

But Swindon Mayor Derek Benfield, who smoked for 40 years before kicking the habit 11 years ago, said he was pleased more restaurants were becoming smoke free.

"I would definitely encourage non-smoking places," he said. "If you can't go and eat a meal without a need to have a smoke halfway through there is something radically wrong with you."