The Welsh assembly does not have the power to ban smoking

The UK Government has already announced plans to ban smoking in restaurants and pubs that serve food by 2008.

Julie Morgan's Private Member's Bill - due before the Commons in two weeks - would allow Wales to ban smoking in all enclosed public places.

But there is little chance of it becoming law if the general election is held in May.

The Labour member for Cardiff North has said that if her party wins the election, the law could be discussed by AMs as early as May - and be in force by the end of the year.

The bill has the support of the British Medical Association and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), and the British Heart Foundation.

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said in the Commons last week that the Westminster government was intending to give the assembly powers to enforce its own ban.

Julie Morgan is confident of an early ban

Pressure to ban smoking in Wales has been growing.

In January, it was announced for one of the oldest city centre pubs in Cardiff would become a smoke free zone.

Brewers SA Brain said it wanted The Cottage in St Mary Street - which is more than 100 years old - to offer more choice, and it wanted to attract more female customers.

Last Thursday it was revealed that landlords in Swansea were planning to survey drinkers on the level of support for a ban on smoking in pubs.

But the Licensed Victuallers' Association (LVA) claims up to 250 pubs in Wales could close if a ban was imposed.