DIE-hard nicotine addicts are facing a ban on smoking in public places from July 1.

The Government says overwhelming public support for the new law will ensure its success.

It has become a hot topic in every sense, with councils stepping up a campaign to increase awareness of the ban and breweries building shelters at pubs in order to accommodate customers determined to keep smoking.

However, there are bound to be those who want to defy the ban or, simply, those who just can't do without taking a puff.

So who is going to enforce it?

Locally the burden will fall on environmental health officers and so far, only Castle Point Council has hired a special enforcer.

Former policeman John Stewart has been appointed as a smoke-free promotions and enforcement officer working under the wing of the council's environmental health department.

He said: "Until July 1, it is my job to make sure people know about the law and understand what they need to do about it and I will help in any way I can."

Once the rule is introduced, Mr Stewart will use his 32 years experience in Essex Police and become an enforcer of the new law.

He added: "The Government created the law following evidence on the dangers of second-hand smoke.

"I have visited Scotland and Ireland since the bans were enacted there and it seems to be working well.

"It has just become part of the culture and eventually is self-policing."

Southend Council has sent environmental health officers on courses to prepare for the ban.

Ian Robertson, executive councillor for public protection and waste management, said: "We are not expecting any major problems and our first step is to try and make sure everybody knows and understands the law.

"It's really quite simple. There's no smoking in public places and we're anticipating at least 95 per cent of premises will enforce the law themselves."

Even those who do not, will first get a reminder before a team of environmental health officers move in to enforce the ban.

Chris Johnson, a spokesman for Basildon Council, confirmed its environmental health people will be taking a very similar approach.

He said: "Our environmental health officers will not be carrying out specific enforcement inspections when the ban comes info force.

"We anticipate the legislation will be self-regulating, with businesses and individuals monitoring the ban themselves.

"We will continue to educate and inform people about the change in law to encourage them to stay within it.

"In cases where there are clear and persistent breaches, however, we will consider the enforcement options open to us as a last resort."

Rochford District Council is launching an awareness roadshow this week to try to ensure residents know what to expect.

Spokesman Tamara Burton said: "The public supports the ban and we do not expect to add more resources to enforce it.

"If it is necessary to enforce the rules our environmental health officers already have experience with enforcement situations."

All the councils will be relying on experienced officers to deal with any situations the new law may provoke. All of them have watched how similar legislation was greeted in Scotland when it was introduced more than a year ago.

A Scottish Executive spokesman said: "Workplaces, restaurants, bars and other enclosed public spaces are all now smoke-free and compliance levels have been very high - more than 95 per cent.

"The low level of fines and warnings issued by local authorities is testament to how well the legislation has been received.

"A study of bar workers carried out just two months after the ban showed their health had already begun to dramatically improve, with improved lung function and reduced nicotine levels in their bloodstream.

"Scientists in Aberdeen have also found air pollution levels in Scotland's pubs have dropped by 86 per cent since the ban was introduced."