Government has refused to grant exemptions to bars which applied to opt out of the smoking ban which comes into full effect on Sunday.

Smokers caught lighting up in public face fines of up to $250 while employers can be fined $1,000.

Although the law was passed early this year, the six-month grace period on applying fines ends at 12 a.m. on Sunday.

Asked if officers were ready to monitor the clampdown, Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said: "The Bermuda Police Service enforces whatever the law is."

A committee had been set up to look at granting opt outs for certain bars, restaurants and private clubs but yesterday Health Minister Patrice Minors revealed no exceptions would be made although she left the door open to exemptions further down the line.

She said: "It has been determined that before any exemptions can be made, legislative changes may have to be made to the Act and this is something the Ministry will have to further examine."

Danny Moore, owner of Hubie's bar in Angle Street, welcomed the total ban even though he had applied for an exemption on business grounds.

He said: "I figure it's better for all. It's good for those who don't even know it's good for them."

Philip Barnett, chairman of the restaurant division of the Chamber of Commerce, also welcomed the decision saying public bars had feared private clubs would get a competitive edge through an opt out.

He said: "The decision is exactly what we hoped for."

Carson Bean, manager of the Mariner's Club in Richmond Road, said he had hoped Government would have granted some leeway for the private clubs.

"If this is the final decision, I guess we will all have to live with it.

"It will have some impact, there's no doubt about it, some people will resort to drinking at home."

But he welcomed the fact the across the board ban put all drinking establishments on the same footing. "That has a softening impact."

And he doubted Government would revisit the issue again.

Mrs. Minors said the issue had been thoroughly looked at with the advisory panel and the Ministry's technical officers reviewing the layout and ventilation systems of each establishment before making the decision.

Minister Minors said restaurants that have open porches, terraces and patios do not require an exemption as these areas are not considered enclosed places.

She said since the Tobacco Products (Public Health) Amendment Act 2005 was passed earlier this year, the vast majority of restaurants have become non-smoking.

Many private clubs have elected to comply with the ban immediately and the Corporation of Hamilton worked quickly to ensure smokers can appropriately dispose of their cigarettes, said Mrs. Minors, who also praised the support of tobacconists and businesses which have eliminated the sale of tobacco products from vending machines.

The Act was passed to protect the public and employees from second-hand smoke. Tobacco use is still the most significant cause of preventable illness and premature death in Bermuda.