There are already smoking bans in some public places

The Millburngate Shopping Centre in Durham City, brought in the ban to coincide with "No Smoking Day" on Wednesday.

The centre joins other shopping malls in the north-east of England which have introduced similar restrictions, including the MetroCentre in Gateshead.

The latest ban follows the recent appointment of a tobacco control manager for the North East.

Andy Bradley, director of the Millburngate centre, said: "We imposed the ban because smoking is becoming less and less socially acceptable.

Main objectives

"We have seen garments brought back that have been bought from shops here because they smell of smoke.

"At a tenants meeting we had to discuss this, there was 100% support from the managers of the shops here."

Millburngate joins a growing number of shopping malls which have taken steps to ban smoking.

They include Middlesbrough's Cleveland Centre and the giant MetroCentre complex on Tyneside.

Earlier this month the North East's first tobacco control manager was appointed, with one of her main objectives being to work towards a total ban on smoking in public places.

Fiona Dunlop is based with the Public Health Group North East and her post is funded by the Department of Health.