SMOKERS travelling by bus across Greater Manchester will soon find themselves left in the cold if they try and light up in one of the region's seven "super" shelters.

These seven enclosed bus shelters - which can each contain up to 20 travellers and cost in the region of £250,000 each - will be designated smoke-free areas from July 1 when it becomes illegal to smoke in a public area.

But smokers will still be allowed to puff away in the rest of the region's 2,500 smaller shelters which are partially open to the elements.

The first two super shelters were built at Mealhouse Lane and Market Street, in Atherton, while the third is in Regent Street in Eccles.

A further two are located along the A6 in Stockport town centre while the final two are found outside Manchester Piccadilly station and on Piccadilly Approach.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) said that it would be impossible to enforce legislation banning smokers from each of the 2,500 smaller shelters.

Enclosed

"Smoking is currently banned at all the newly built enclosed bus stations in Greater Manchester such as the Shudehill Interchange and those found at Eccles, Middleton, Oldham and Hyde," said the spokesman.

"But this ban will be extended to every bus station in the region from 1 July as well as the seven super shelters.

"Apart from these, there are 2,500 smaller shelters across Greater Manchester and we will not be able to ban smoking in these as they are largely open to the elements and the ban would be impossible to enforce."

Anyone who flouts the smokefree ban will be given an on-the-spot fine of £50.

A "battle" bus with smoking cessation advisers on board will tour Greater Manchester from July 2 and a telephone canvassing campaign is also being launched to encourage smokers to take advantage of NHS services to help them to quit.

There are currently more than 540,000 smokers over the age of 16 in Greater Manchester and around 100,000 of them are expected to attempt to stop smoking as a direct result of the July 1 ban.

Smokers are four times more likely to quit using the NHS Stop Smoking Service. Contact your local service on 0800 432 0303.

ben.rooth@men-news.co.uk