While much of the furore surrounding the ban has centred on the licensed trade, football clubs at all levels have faced the unenviable task of interpreting what the law means to their stadium designs.

Under the Executive’s guidelines, football stadiums and large sporting arenas are regarded as “premises used for the entertainment of the public” and are therefore subject to the conditions of the ban.

However, confusion has reigned for many clubs over the concept of partial enclosure.

With the majority of stands at Scottish stadiums not fully enclosed, the Executive will also judge stadiums on the basis of a partial enclosure rule, which means that if the sum of the side sections and back wall of each stand is more than 50% of its entire perimeter a full smoking ban will be required.

As a result Scotland’s 42 Scottish Premier League (SPL) and Scottish Football League (SFL) clubs have been left questioning what options are available as they try to counter fears that a ban could cause a drop in gate receipts. At present almost all Scottish clubs, outwith the Old Firm, are seeking confirmation of whether they fall under the terms of a full ban or if in fact they should only be looking at a ban in suites, offices, concourses and stairwells in the stadium.

However, a Scottish Executive spokeswoman said football stadiums were not exempt from the legislation with the onus on the football club to ensure the correct criteria is in place.

The Executive has been actively encouraging sporting authorities and agencies to look at their smoking policies and recently received the backing of the Old Firm and Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden, which will all implement full smoking bans.

However, while it initially appeared as though every SPL club would follow the Old Firm’s lead, at Tannadice, the home of Dundee United, the club’s commercial director Derek Robertson said that despite talks being at an advanced stage they had still not reached a definitive decision on what he described as a “complicated issue”.

If United were to opt for a blanket ban they would have to enforce the measures on their own. While local authority environmental health officers will police the ban it is believed that matchday security staff and club stewards would be responsible for its enforcement.

At neighbouring Dens Park a spokesman for Dundee Football Club said it looked likely that the club would adopt a complete “No Smoking”ban from March 26. However, he stressed that the matter was still being discussed while the full implications of the ban were assessed.

l St Johnstone Football Club may consider a total smoking ban at their Mcdiarmid Park home even if new smoking legislation does nor require it.

l At Stark’s Park, home of Raith Rovers, a smoking ban an all enclosed areas inside the ground, such as offices, hospitality suites, etc., was introduced from January 1.

And from March 26, this will be extended to semi-enclosed areas, including all grandstands.

In essence, this means that once fans pass through the turnstiles, they won’t be able to smoke, although there is an open-air area outside the main stand where it will permitted.

l Dunfermline Athletic’s football grounds look set to become a no-smoking zone after March 26.

The board of directors has yet to make a final decision, however the club’s safety officer said there would be no escape from the ban.

Martin McLeary told the Tele, “The stands have three walls and a roof and are partially enclosed so are under the jurisdiction of the legislation.

“Our only option is to abide by legislation.”