THE North-East could become the first region in the country to impose a ban on smoking in public places, according to a television programme shown tonight.

BBC1 documentary series Inside Out says that smoking rates in the region are well above the national average and health experts believe restrictions are the most effective way to persuade people to quit.

They say that, with public backing, lighting up could become illegal in pubs, restaurants and shopping centres within five years.

To test reaction in the North-East, the Inside Out team banned smoking in a North Shields pub for a night. The results will be shown in the programme.

Pizza Hut has already announced plans to introduce a smoking ban in all its UK outlets, the first nationwide company restaurant to impose the restriction.

Smoking bans were introduced in California five years ago, and more recently in New York. Ireland will also introduce a no-smoking ban next year.

The ban in New York has received mixed response. A group of Geordies living in the city tell Inside Out that they are pleased with the decision but businesses have suffered, and, with smokers forced to smoke outside, some people describe the pavements as ashtrays.

A BBC poll found that 63 per cent of people would be in favour of a ban being introduced, while 40 per cent of smokers surveyed would be in favour.

Thirty-seven per cent of drinkers and 72 per cent of shoppers favoured a ban being introduced.

Inside Out will be screened on BBC1 at 7.30pm.