Plans for two temporary enforcers to join the authority’s out-of-hours environmental and consumer protection team are well advanced.

Department boss Stewart Heggie says, “The background to the smoking ban is well known and understood, and we are now moving into the implementation phase.

“Enforcement will begin from April 1, and will involve checking that people are not smoking in wholly enclosed public places. It will be carried out without warning.”

In a report to next week’s meeting of the environmental and leisure services committee, released today, Mr Heggie said the appointments will be subject to confirmation of Scottish Executive cash help.

He states the executive has allocated £6.1million over three years to enforce smoke-free legislation, with the Angus share expected to cover the cost of two temporary officers.

Two officers are needed for enforcement owing to the requirement for corroboration.

Their appointments are being recommended for councillor approval.

Committee members will also be asked on Tuesday to sanction the use of department staff in checking that establishments are up to speed with the legislation in the lead-up to the ban.

This will cover areas such as ensuring proper signs are displayed, and checking that staff training and smoking policies are in place.

The new officers will be on fixed contracts up to March 31, 2008, and will join four others on the late-night team who will enforce the ban seven days a week, as well as carrying out other duties such as neighbourhood noise issues, littering and dog fouling.

Smoking in breach of the ban will carry a £50 fine, while permitting others to smoke in no-smoking premises will carry a £200 fine.