Doctors have called for a ban on public smoking

The Phoenix in Throgmorton Street hopes to attract customers looking for a smoke-free environment who might have previously avoided pubs.

The owners, the Laurel Pub Company, have three other non-smoking pubs in the north of England.

Some doctors are calling for smoking to be banned in all public places, saying it would dramatically reduce the number of lung cancer patients.

The Phoenix has recently undergone a �87,000 facelift in preparation for its opening on Monday evening.

This is not the beginning of the end for smoking in pubs Laurel Pub Company spokesman Maureen Heffernan

Maureen Heffernan, spokesman for Laurel, said: "We are keen to offer consumers the choice of smoke-free environments, where it is appropriate and viable.

"This will only work for the right pub in the right location.

"Customers in this particular area of the City are spoilt for choice.

"But the experience at our first three smoke-free pubs proves that trade increases thanks to new customers - attracted from the competition - and non-smokers who might have previously avoided pubs."

But she added: "This is not the beginning of the end for smoking in pubs."