Smokers may soon be banned from lighting up in any enclosed public space in Bermuda, be that a bar, restaurant, hotel, workplace, or even a company car.

A proposed blanket ban has moved a step closer and will put Bermuda on to a growing list of of places around the world where no-smoking rules have either come into force or are in the process of being introduced.

Bans on smoking in enclosed public places, aimed at improving public health, already exist in Italy, Ireland and New York.

In new rules outlined in a White Paper that has gone before the House of Assembly, cigarette vending machines are to be outlawed and cigarettes and other tobacco products must not be sold to anyone under the age of 18.

Shopkeepers will be obliged to ask for photo ID from anyone who appears to be under 25 years-old in order to check their age before selling them cigarettes or tobacco.

Fines ranging from $250 to $5,000 will be imposed in relation to a raft of smoking and tobacco offences detailed in the proposed legislation.

Smoking in an enclosed public place ? including bars, restaurants and hotels ? will attract a fine of $250 in the first instance and $1,000 fine or each repeat offence.

The new Government Bill proposes that all cigarette vending machines are banned and the outlawing of advertising of tobacco products at sporting or entertainment events where the public is invited and pays to attend.

And it is to become illegal for tobacco products to be sold in designated places, including hospitals and residential care homes.

The regulations are set out in the Tobacco Products (Public Health) Amendment Act 2005.

If the amendment is enforced, only the Minister for Health can make exceptions to allow enclosed public places to permit smoking.

There will also be a six-month period of grace from the introduction of the new regulations, during which time there will be no prosecutions made against offenders who infringe the rules.