Health advisors will be in the malls to help smokers trying to give up

The Gateshead MetroCentre, is to ban people smoking from Monday.

The move follows a three-year study which found strong support for it to become a no smoking zone - with 86% of shoppers and 70% of retailers favouring a ban.

But shoppers will still be able to light up in some bars and cafes and smoking shelters will also be provided in some of the MetroCentre's car parks.

Health advisors will be on hand in the malls to help anyone trying to give up smoking for the New Year.

MetroCentre general manager Ron Woodman said: "The decision has not been made without a great deal of research and discussion with our retailers and shoppers.

"We are conscious of the need for freedom of choice but there is no doubt that no smoking malls will prove extremely popular with the vast majority of our shoppers.

Designated area

"There is no restriction on smoking outside the Centre and in car parks.

"By providing smoking shelters for use in bad weather and encouraging some of our restaurants, cafes and bars to provide specially designated smoking areas we believe we can satisfy the needs of everyone."

But Simon Clarke, director of pro-choice group Forest, said he believed the ban was an over-reaction.

He said: "I just think they are taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

"When I visited the MetroCentre there didn't seem to be anything wrong with the air quality. It certainly wasn't a smoky atmosphere."

Mr Clarke said the fact that some bars, restaurants and cafes were providing smoking areas was a compromise but said it was important the shopping centre made people aware of that.

He also said he would like to see a designated area inside where smokers could go without having to buy a drink.