Consumers are confused about details of the impending smoking ban in England and Wales.

Nearly six out of 10 people do not know when the restrictions come into force, according to trade magazine The Publican.

A survey of nearly 1,000 people found 41 per cent thought smoking would still be allowed in private members' clubs. And 19 per cent believed the ban would not apply to pubs which did not serve food.

The ban comes into force on April 2 in Wales, April 30 in Northern Ireland and July 1 in England.

The ban will affect virtually all enclosed workplaces and public places, including pubs, restaurants and membership clubs.

The ban is likely to have some positive benefits for the pub trade, the survey showed. One third of the non-smokers questioned expected to visit pubs more often as a result. Some 37 per cent of all respondents - and 51 per cent of non-smokers - were more likely to eat in a pub.

Daniel Pearce, deputy editor of The Publican, said: "There is an urgent need for more information otherwise pubs will have to face up to unhappy customers when they discover they can no longer smoke in their local."