Hundreds of pub and bar jobs could be lost across Sussex if Government plans to outlaw smoking in public places are put in place, according to a new study.

Research from accountants BDO Stoy Hayward, which looked at the correlation between smoking and alcohol consumption throughout the UK, has revealed the licensed trade industry in the South-East could lose more than 12,000 jobs.

The region, which has the highest concentration of pubs in the UK, will be the worst hit by the proposed legislation revealed in the Government's White Paper on Tuesday.

The legislation would outlaw smoking in most public places, including pubs serving food, and 90 per cent of licensed premises are expected to come under the ban.

BDO Stoy Hayward claims trade in the South-East would fall by 8.5 per cent and the industry would lose an estimated £88 million.

Kim Hayward, partner in BDO Stoy Hayward's South-East region, said: "Those in the licensed trade need to think hard how to pre-empt and recoup any potential loss in revenue rather than ignore what could lie ahead."

Public support for a smoking ban remains strong. Health chiefs in Brighton and Hove have pressed for the city to become one of the first to ban smoking in England.

The city's primary care trust recently conducted Brighton and Hove's Big Smoke Debate, in which 78 per cent of respondents thought smoking should be banned in the workplace and 83 per cent would prefer smoking to be banned in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors.

Managers at the Brighton Dome theatre complex, which includes the Concert Hall, Corn Exchange and Pavilion Theatre, reacted to the study by banning smoking throughout from May next year.

A spokeswoman for the city council said the economic impact of the ban will be examined.