PUBS in Bury are adopting a 'wait-and-see' approach to government plans which could see 90 per cent of bars smoke-free within the next four years.

The White Paper, which is set to ban smoking in all restaurants, pubs and bars preparing and serving food, is expected to come into force for licensed premises by 2008.

Smoking will still be allowed in pubs which sell snacks such as crisps, rather than prepared meals, and in private clubs if the members vote in favour.

But many pubs across the borough already have a no-smoking policy surrounding the food area and are unsure of how the new legislation will affect their business.

Stuart Crolla, from the Bulls Head, Brandlesholme Road, Greenmount, said: 'We've operated a no-smoking policy in the restaurant for quite a while now so we're not too sure how it will affect us. It's a bit up-in-the-air at the moment until it actually happens. It's 50-50 if it affects our business. We just don't know.'

John Welsh, manager of the Swan and Cemetery in Manchester Road, Bury said: 'We do have a no-smoking policy in the restaurant which is separate from the bar and are trying to stop customers from smoking at the bar.

'I have never smoked in my life but, in my view, England is suppose to be a place where we can say and do what we want but we are now becoming a society where we are being told more and more what we can't do rather than what we can.'

Tom McLenachan, from The Ainsworth Arms, in Bury and Bolton Road, Radcliffe, said: 'At the moment we are decreasing the smoking area and increasing the no-smoking area so half of the entire pub will be no-smoking. We also have no smoking at the bar.

'I don't know what will happen in the future but at the moment, even though the food area is not enclosed, it is at the furthest point away from the smoking area.'

Paul Robinson, manager of The Duckworth Arms in Whalley Road, Shuttleworth , added: 'We only have ash trays available for customers who actually ask for them to get ready for the ban.

'I think it will cause a bit of a problem at first but, if every pub enforces the ban, it should be OK.'

The ban has already had the backing of Bury Primary Care Trust health chiefs and, earlier this year, staff at Bury Council were banned from smoking during working hours in local authority buildings. Similar plans for medical staff at Fairfield Hospital are due to come into force next year.