So many people are are dying from smoking in a rural district that its council wants a total ban on lighting up in public places.

Chichester District Council said 600 people were dying a year from smoking in its area and said a full ban on smoking in public places was justified.

The council is so concerned it has written to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

It has asked her to ensure the Health Bill, due to come into force in 2007, enforces more than just a partial ban.

A spokesman said: "Smoking is the single biggest cause of preventable death in our primary care trust area and causes an estimated 600 deaths a year.

"The South-East Public Health Observatory published a report on smoking in August last year, which showed that in our region, 16 per cent of all deaths are due to smoking. These facts show we all need to take this issue very seriously and should be working together to tackle it.

"We call on the Government to work towards providing a full smoking ban in all public places."

Chichester District Council is one of the first authorities in Sussex to ask for a complete ban but others are thought to be considering it.

The council said a full ban on smoking in public places should incorporate work places and said smoking should only be allowed in private members' clubs and in bars which do not sell food.

Its executive board has already voted to encourage businesses in the district to ban smoking. They are being encouraged to apply for the Clean Air Award.

Councillor Heather Caird said: "The introduction of the Clean Air Awards across the district will encourage public places, including pubs, restaurants and local offices to work towards becoming smoke free in preparation for the introduction of the smoking ban in 2007."

Employers who apply to the scheme receive guidance on how to make their workplace smoke-free. Gold Awards are given to totally smoke-free workplaces, Silver Awards go to places where a partial ban is in place and bronze to those who have shown a commitment to banning smokers.

Chichester District Council is the first organisation to apply for the Gold. It does not allow smoking in any of its buildings.