Health campaigners are encouraging Bradford businesses to make workers stub out their workplace cigarettes ahead of next year's ban.

A new movement is inviting employers to crack down on smoking now, with a claim that the move could save Yorkshire companies more than £728 million per year.

The SmokeFree - Liberate the Workplace campaign wants employers to make their premises smoke-free well ahead of the government veto on smoking in enclosed public spaces, set to start in summer 2007.

The campaign estimates that smoking costs Yorkshire £1 billion per year, including £728 million on staff smoking breaks, £188 million through premature deaths of employees and £212 million in smoking-related sick days and hospital treatment.

The campaign is backed by an alliance of organisations across Yorkshire including the NHS, Yorkshire Forward, the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly and the Department of Health's Regional Public Health Group.

Paul Johnstone, the regional director of public health, said they were asking employers to do the "smart thing" by acting now to tackle second hand smoke.

"Smoking costs businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber around £1 billion a year, so reducing that bill makes sound business sense as well as demonstrating they are a responsible employer."

Television weather presenter Lisa Gallagher, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, launched Yorkshire's SmokeFree campaign aboard a special campaign double-decker bus which will tour the region and appear at local launches to promote the cause, raise support and provide practical help for any business wanting to get involved.

She said: "Attitudes to smoking at work have changed. The legislation is great - but why wait to clear the air? Let's act today to liberate our workplaces from the dangers of secondhand smoke."

Helen Kettleborough, of Pace Micro Technology, said the company's Saltaire site was already smoke-free. "We have had completely smoke-free offices for several years. I'm not aware of it being an issue for smokers."

Rodney Swailes, of Ciba Specialty Chemicals, said the Low Moor site was working to make its buildings smoke-free.

"The smoking legislation is something we've been considering and consulting on with staff and the GMB union for some time.

"We are in the process of building shelters for smokers to use outside."

Hallmark Cards in Bingley Road said there was already no-smoking inside and they provided outdoor shelters for smokers.

Is your firm going smoke-free before the ban? Contact business editor Richard Woodward on (01274) 705395.