SMOKE-FREE England seems to be just that with 99 per cent of the premises inspected in London two weeks after July 1 were complying with the law.

Inspectors found that almost all of the pubs, hotels and restaurants in the region were respecting the requirement to prohibit smoking in enclosed premises and 82 per cent were displaying the correct no-smoking signage.

Director of environment and consumer protection at Hillingdon Council, Philomena Bach, said: "The level of compliance for the smoke-free legislation has been high.

"The council will continue to support residents and businesses in Hillingdon and we would like to encourage those wishing to give up to contact Hillingdon's Stop Smoking Services on 0800 1697541."

Minister of State for Public Health, Dawn Primarolo, said: "When we introduced the smoke-free law last month, we predicted that it would be largely self-enforcing based on experience elsewhere and the fact that three-quarters of the public supported the move.

"These figures confirm that, just as happened previously in Ireland then Scotland, England saw very high levels of compliance in the first few days. All the signs are that businesses and the public have taken the new law in their stride."