That seems to be the attitude from a number of businesses on Merseyside quizzed by Smoke-Free Liverpool on their preparation for legislation coming into force next summer.

Awareness of the forthcoming ban on smoking in enclosed public places was very low. More than a quarter of manufacturing firms weren't aware of the new laws, while almost a third of businesses questioned had not put together a workplace smoking policy.

Many firms mistakenly believed the law only applied to places like pubs and clubs.

Frances Molloy from the charity Health@Work told icLiverpool:

"For so many organisations either not to know about the laws, or to think they don't apply to them, with less than a year to go before they come into effect, is worrying.

"Many non-hospitality businesses simply don't think it applies to them and some pubs and clubs still believe there will be exemptions for them."