A COUNCIL is to consider banning smoking in all of its leisure centres.

Sedgefied Borough Council is reviewing its smoking policy in all four of its leisure centres in Spennymoor, Shildon Newton Aycliffe and Ferryhill.

A report to the council's cabinet this week will ask members to consider a complete ban, have designated smoking areas in licensed bars or to keep the current policy.

A total of 412 customers over all four centres were consulted, with almost half (45 per cent) in favour of a total ban. No smoking areas in bars was preferred by 39 per cent of people, with 16 per cent opting for no change.

A further survey of 200 customers who use the bars revealed that two-thirds would no longer attend if licensed areas were made no smoking.

The report says: "If there was to be a ban in all function and licensed areas, there is a commercial risk of either promoters not working in partnership with us or customers not attending functions, as they would be unable to smoke inside the buildings. There is also a financial risk with the bars as people may decide not to frequent if a ban on smoking was implemented."

But the report adds that if a total ban is implemented, the council will have to be 'robust' and not review the policy purely for commercial meetings.