The pub is one of the oldest in the city centre

The Cottage in St Mary Street is more than 100 years old, making it one of the oldest drinking establishments in the city centre.

Brewers SA Brains said it wants to offer more choice and to attract more female customers into the pub.

Another of its city centre pubs is also converting to smoke-free.

This will take the number of smoke free pubs run by Brains up to four.

Bar Essential in Windsor Place, which is also undergoing a major refurbishment, will adopt the policy in time for the Wales versus England rugby international game on 5 February.

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The changes will come into place after refit works are completed at both bars.

The smoke-free policy has already been adopted at two country pubs owned by the Cardiff-based brewer.

"Whenever the smoking issue arises, it is guaranteed to cause debate but we have a clear policy of offering our customers a choice," said Kirkland Davies, retail operations manger for Brains.

"The Cottage is a classic city centre pub, which we feel will appeal to a much broader range of customers when the refurbishment is unveiled.

"And as we remain committed to providing something for everyone, we have many other city centre venues that operate a variety of smoking policies for those customers who wish to smoke," he said.

Kate Broadley and Tessa Sherman-James said it gave more choice

But there was a mixed reaction to the proposed changes from smokers at other pubs.

Emblin Harris and John Richards who were drinking in nearby Kitty Flynn's said that it would affect where they chose to drink.

"I would not go and drink in a pub where there was a total smoking ban - it would put me off," said Mr Richards.

"Although I do think it is better that the individual pub owners are choosing whether to do it or not rather than forcing pubs to become non-smoking because I think that would really affect trade especially in some smaller communities," he added.

In the Yard, there was a mixed reaction to the proposals.

Richard Proctor said it would stop him form drinking in the pub

Students Kate Broadley and Tessa Sherman-James thought that it was a good idea to offer people more choice.

"I don't think it would put me off going into a pub if was no smoking and I actually think it is a good idea because it gives people the chance to choose where to go," said Ms Broadley.

But Richard Proctor, a musician, said that it would alter his choice of where to drink.

"I do drink at the Cottage but if they become no smoking then I will stop going there," he said.

Meanwhile, a new city centre nightspot Dewi's will open as a non-smoking venue later this month in Mary Ann Street.

"Public attitudes are changing in this country - people are moving away from traditional smoky atmospheres," said the licencee Steve Dew, whose business partner is former England Test cricketer Andy Caddick.