Some of Bradford's most senior councillors have indicated they would welcome a complete ban on smoking in all of the district's public places.

The Council's deputy leader Kris Hopkins - himself a former smoker - was among those speaking out as a Government consultation on smoking in public ended yesterday. The consultation into banning smoking in public by the end of 2008 has just been completed.

The Local Government Association has also put pressure on ministers to rethink their proposed exemption for pubs not serving food and to bring in the ban earlier than planned.

Coun Hopkins said he approved of a hardline stance, adding: "I look forward to the outcome of the Government consultation process and welcome the Local Government Association calling to ban smoking in public spaces."

His statement came as members of the Council's environment and waste management improvement committee were preparing to mull over the smoke-free elements of the Government's health improvement bill.

The bill deals with bans on smoking in all workplaces and 90 per cent of pubs. They will be presented to the committee on September 14.

Meanwhile Labour group leader, Councillor Ian Greenwood, said the outcome of the Government's consultation should be carefully considered.

He said: "It is not appropriate for people to be forced to work in an environment where they are passively smoking, but I want to look at the results of the consultation.

"I certainly think the time has come where anybody enjoying a meal can expect not to have to put up with smoke."

And Liberal Democrat group's deputy leader Councillor David Ward said all public buildings should be smoke-free. He said: "We come down on the side that people have the right to breathe fresh air."

The Telegraph & Argus has been running the Clear the Air campaign calling for smoking to be banned in public enclosed spaces. Bradford Council has already made a commitment to ban smoking in it own premises.

Coun Hopkins said: "My personal view is that we are responsible to our staff to ensure they can work in a safe and comfortable environment.

"I smoked myself for some 20 years and felt the dire consequences of that and having stopped two years ago I feel a lot more energy and my colleagues don't have to suffer from the stench of my cigarettes. I hope the Council's leadership on this important health issue will lead to better health across the district."