An all-out smoking ban came a step nearer today as popular coffee shops joined the long list of venues outlawing cigarettes.

Redroaster, in St James's Street, Brighton, and Costa Coffee, in Dyke Road, Brighton, say customers and employees have welcomed the move.

Redroaster's managing director, Tim Hume, said: "We take a libertarian position on smoking. We are not doing this because we are anti-smoking. That is a personal question.

"But we have to balance the rights of one group of customers against the rights of another and it is not right that a nuisance should be caused to more vulnerable members of the public.

"We had considered installing an extraction system but the Government decision to go ahead with legislation means it would not be in our financial interests to do the work."

The smoking ban at Costa Coffee has been running since December 21, when staff put up signs warning customers about the change in policy.

The company has branches nationwide and allows each to decide its own policy on smoking.

Costa Coffee manager Tim Speller said: "I want this to be a family-friendly area and while business may slump a bit overall, the ban will add to the atmosphere.

"As Government legislation becomes imminent, other businesses will also change and public venues will follow the example of places in Europe and America. A smoking ban is coming.

"The problem with anti-social teenagers went overnight with this ban. It was instantaneous and on Bank Holiday Monday the caf was filled with families and young people."

The White Rock Theatre on Hastings seafront became smoke-free in November.

Visitors and performers at the Dome theatre in Brighton will also have to observe a ban from May.

Brighton and Hove's Big Smoke Debate in October revealed 83 per cent of respondents would prefer to see a smoking ban in public places.

The survey of 3,700 people by the Brighton and Hove City NHS Primary Care Trust showed 78 per cent of people believed smoking should also be forbidden in the workplace.

A spokesman for the trust said: "It's great news - the more the merrier.

"It's good that banning smoking is less of a niche thing these days and people are not so worried it will affect their business."

He said the number of people smoking in Brighton was falling and public support for a complete smoking ban in public places was growing.

He said: "It's excellent to see leadership from clubs, pubs and cafs in the city.

"We are well on way to becoming smoke-free."