The State Government's guidelines stipulate that, as of July, 2007, 25 per cent of an area where smoking is allowed must not be enclosed and all doors and windows must be locked open.

From July venues will also be fined more than $5,000 if smoke seeps into non-smoking areas.

Mr Griggs said many in the Australian Hotels Association (NSW) were relieved to finally know the details of the regulations.

"I suppose it is a good thing that the industry finally knows what the regulations are so they can get architects or builders to comply with the guidelines," Mr Griggs said.

However, Mr Griggs said he expected the regulations to cause confusion among patrons.

"I think as a result of the regulations individuals will be confused about where they can smoke and where they can't," he said.

"I think they will go into one club and find they're able to smoke and go into another and find they're not allowed to."

Mr Griggs also said he believed the laws concerning smoke seeping into other areas were unrealistic and almost impossible to police.

"Currently we have non-smoking and smoking areas adjoining, so I would imagine it would be something that would be very difficult to police," Mr Griggs said.

Full story: SHN, Monday, February 27, 2006.