The Government wants people to shop smokers via a special hotline when legislation outlawing smoking in public places, including offices, pubs and restaurants, comes into force next year.

Dire warnings of the sorts of fines business owners could face if they flout the law or allow staff to do so are already doing the rounds, as we've already reported this week.

The Government says the ban will be largely self-policing but Health Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC:

"We are proposing to introduce a smoke-free compliance line as a supportive measure."