The announcement has been welcomed by many, however, will cause some businesses to change the way they operate. 

Commerce Ballarat board member Dan Cronin said the changes would create a number of challenges for businesses. 

“It is another hurdle or obstacle for some businesses to jump over,” he said. 

“A lot of businesses won’t be affected but others will have to change the way to operate. 

“It will force more people outside smoking on the street.

“It happens now already, outside of restaurants and outside of busy places where you see huddles of people smoking out on the street 

While Mr Cronin said the legislation would come into law for the right reasons, people’s health, it would force businesses to be more creative to cater for smokers. 

“A lot of it depends on how the legislation looks which we won’t know until August 2016 (when the legislation is unveiled,” he said.  

“What are they defining as dining areas? What is the definition of food, is it a biscuit with a coffee, is a bag of chips or is it a plated meal?”

The Unicorn co-owner Gary Morris said he had been expecting the ban.

“We are happy to go along with it,” he said. 

“It is one of the worst drugs in society.

“The customers will have to wear it, a lot of them say the want to give up anyway.

The Cancer Council also welcomed the announcement which has been expected for some time. 

The council'’s chief executive Todd Harper said the action on smokefree environments represented a step forward by the state government. 

“Extending smokefree outdoor areas is an important part of any strategy to reduce impacts of smoking and particularly protect the health and safety of hospitality workers,” Mr Harper said. 

“I am looking forward to examining the detail of proposed changes and how they will apply to dining and drinking areas.”

The ban was announced over the weekend by Victorian Minister for Health Jill Hennessy.

“We know that smoking kills, and we know that second-hand smoke puts the health of non-smokers at risk,” she said.  

“These new bans will ensure all Victorians can enjoy a meal outside with their family and friends. 

“We want to work with businesses and consult with them to ensure this important reform is introduced and implemented effectively.

“”We will continue to try to find more ways to reduce the harm caused by tobacco, because too many Victorians die every year from smoking-related illnesses.”