New Zealand will join Ireland and an ever growing list of countries that have banned smoking in indoor public places, when tougher laws take effect later this week.
Parliament last year passed the Smoke-free Environments Act, extending controls on smoking first introduced in 1990 in some work and public spaces to all indoor workplaces, as well as elevators, rest rooms, taxis, and parts of ships and trains.
The tougher laws take effect on Friday, imposing fines of up to NZ$400 on owners of small private businesses such as restaurants and NZ$4,000 on big companies that violate the ban. In contrast to Ireland however, individuals caught smoking will not face penalties.
Opponents have said the law is unenforceable, and predictably the hospitality industry are worried about losing profits since smoking will be banned in restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs.
But government legislators said the new law was about saving lives.
"This is about societal change. It's a big mind-set shift," said Labour lawmaker Steve Chadwick.
Casino operator Sky City has already built eight outdoor smoking balconies to accommodate patrons who want to light up, said media relations manager Delwyn Lewer.
The casino and hotel group has estimated it will lose NZ$10 million this financial year as a direct result of the ban. Hotels, restaurants and nightclubs were also gearing up for the new controls, Hospitality Association chief executive Bruce Robertson said.
Smoking will also be barred in schools, childcare centres and anywhere young people gather, but will still be allowed in hotel rooms, passenger and staff quarters on ships and trains, in prison cells, at the homes of employers and in church halls.
Ministry of Health environmental health manager Graeme Gillespie said enforcement of the new law would initially be based on responding to complaints, but acknowledged that a more proactive approach may eventually be needed.
Canada, several European nations and the US states of California and New York have imposed similar smoking bans and Britain is expected to follow shortly.
Edna Bennett, 90, who claims to have smoked since the age of four when she "pinched" cigars from her father, is upset about the ban on smoking inside her favourite cafe.
"The government has a cheek interfering in people's lives. I've never done anyone any harm but I'm running out of places where I can smoke," she said. "What next?"