Liverpool could become Britain's first smoke-free city if councillors vote today in favour of a ban on smoking in public places.
If the move is approved in today's vote, the city's council plans to petition Parliament to pass a law banning smoking in restaurants, pubs, shops, offices and other enclosed public areas and workplaces.
The council says more than 1,000 people a year die from smoking-related diseases in Liverpool.
"We have a duty to protect employees and customers alike from this real danger," Councillor Richard Oglethorpe, the city council's executive member for green issues, said in a statement.
Under the council's plans, firms or individuals who flout the new law would face fines of up to 1,000 pounds.
Health experts have urged Britain to follow Ireland's example and ban smoking in public workplaces, which would include bars, restaurants and pubs.
The vote comes days after a leading anti-smoking group accused the government of sitting on a confidential report which confirms the health dangers of passive smoking. The Department of Health denied any delay.