Londoners are being encouraged to take part in a debate over the issue of smoking in public places.

The Big Smoke debate will continue until the end of the year and will involve offering those living and working in the Capital the chance to fill out a questionnaire on what restrictions on smoking that they would like to see implemented.

Smoking is already banned in bars and restaurants in New York and San Francisco, with UK cities including Sheffield, Birmingham and Brighton considering a similar move.

Despite calls by UK doctors and chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson for a nationwide ban on smoking in public places, the Department of Health has not indicated that plans exist for such legislation.

The initiative from the London Health Commission follows MORI research in which 71 per cent of Londoners said they were "bothered" by other people's smoke in public places.

Of those questioned, two thirds cited sore throats, headaches and asthma as side-effects of passive smoking, while 35 per cent said they had either left or avoided a public place because of tobacco smoke.

Nearly a quarter of those polled claimed they would visit bars, clubs and restaurants more if smoking were banned, while 59 per cent said it would have no effect on their behaviour.

"I welcome the Big Smoke debate because it gives Londoners about a voice about a health issue which is important to their lives," said London mayor Ken Livingstone.

"I look forward to hearing what the public wants done about smoking in enclosed public places and to working with groups across the capital to increase Londoners' access to healthier, smoke-free venues."

LHC chairman Len Duvall said that the debate was not about whether people should smoke, but about where it should be allowed.

"We want to give people in London the chance to have their say on whether they think smoking should or should not be allowed in a range of public settings," he said.