YORK residents could be asked to decide if the city should ban smoking in public places.

City council leader Steve Galloway said if local authorities were handed powers to impose such a ban, city residents would have the final say.

He admitted it was "difficult" to see a blanket ban on smoking being imposed in public buildings.

But he said such a move would be considered in York if widespread consultation showed a "vast majority" of residents wanted cigarettes stubbed out.

Coun Galloway's comments came after Tony Blair hinted that the Government would allow councils to impose smoking bans in bars, restaurants and other public buildings, as seen in Ireland and New York.

The Prime Minister said a final decision had not been taken, but he underlined the serious health risks posed by passive smoking.

Coun Galloway, the Liberal Democrat leader of City of York Council, today told the Evening Press: "Clearly, the council has not yet taken a view on this issue. But our general position is that it would be good if some restaurants and pubs could be smoke-free.

"It's difficult, however, to see a blanket ban being applied unless that's what a vast majority of people in the city want. If there was an overwhelming majority in favour of a general ban, then we would have to seriously consider it."

If given banning powers, he said the council would undertake a "very thorough consultation process".

On a personal level, he welcomed at least some parts of pubs and restaurants being free of smoke.

"People should be able to make the choice where they go," added Coun Galloway, who also raised concerns about how a cigarette ban would be enforced and consequences for pub landlords.

Labour opposition group leader Dave Merrett said any potential ban would need careful consideration. But he said: "In closed spaces like public buildings there's a clear case."

Mr Blair's comments triggered a backlash from pro-smoking pressure groups, who said the UK's 13 million smokers should have the right to choose.

Pubs and restaurateurs attacked plans to give banning powers to local councils, paving the way for the town halls across the country to impose a confusing patchwork of bans.

The Government is likely to reveal detailed plans in the autumn.

Updated: 10:50 Monday, June 07, 2004