Scotland is expected to announce a ban on smoking in public places on Wednesday, with those who flout the rules facing fines of up to £3,600.
Ministers have been studying the results of a countrywide consultation on the issue which produced more than 50,000 responses, most favouring some form of ban.
Jack McConnell, the first minister, was said to be convinced that an outright ban on smoking in public places was the way forward. Though initially sceptical he was said to have changed his mind after a fact-finding visit to Ireland, which introduced a ban this year.
The move by the Scottish executive will increase pressure on Westminster to act on the issue.
John Reid, the health secretary, has criticised been compulsory restrictions on smoking, telling the Sunday Telegraph yesterday, "the state cannot make the decision to quit for you". A white paper on public health is due to be published shortly.
Mr Reid was said to have been trying to persuade the cabinet to back an alternative which would allow restaurants and pubs to apply for a licence to allow smoking.
It has also been suggested that the government may ban smoking in restaurants, but allow it to continue in pubs.
Frank Dobson, a former health secretary, has urged Mr Reid not to accept a compromise, as have members of the all-party parliamentary group on smoking.
In Scotland, ministers were said to feel that the health concerns were so pressing that nothing less than a comprehensive ban was acceptable. The ban will probably come into force by the spring of 2006.
Scotland has the highest rates of lung cancer in Europe for both men and women, and smoking is estimated to kill 13,000 Scots each year, the biggest cause of premature death in the country. Studies this week are expected to suggest that up to 1,000 Scots could be dying every year as a result of passive smoking.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish executive said an announcement would be made on Wednesday but would not comment on reports that fines of up to £3,600 were being considered.
Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association called for a compromise saying: "We don't have to go to a full ban here."
