EASTLEIGH civic chiefs have rubber-stamped a move to make the borough a smoke-free zone within the next five years.

A total ban on lighting up in enclosed public places, including pubs and clubs, could be in force by 2009 - following the lead set by New York and Dublin.

Members of the borough council's powerful executive cabinet agreed that it was not only the right thing to do to improve the quality of people's lives, but the right time to do it.

On the back of a wave of public support for making smokers stub out their cigarettes, the executive agreed to develop a five-year action plan aimed at protecting non-smokers from exposure to other people's smoke by increasing the number of smoke-free public places.

Currently, the council has no powers to enforce bans in public places not under its control.

But the authority says it is expecting government advice that will set out what powers councils will have.

And last night council leader Keith House laid it on the line that while initial efforts would be concentrated on the "voluntary, suggestive and encouraging", eventually it might well end up being legislative.

He said: "In the first instance it is for those people who work in a smoky atmosphere. The issues are pretty stark. This is one area where we can make a tangible improvement."

Pointing to places such as Dublin where a ban has already been introduced, Cllr House said warnings that businesses would be forced

to close and pubs would be empty had proved incorrect.

The council has already banned smoking in its civic offices, its town centre office in Wells Place, The Point arts and dance centre and at the Hedge End council depot

Now the intention is to broaden the ban to "enclosed, indoor areas in both the public and private sector which are used by the public".