On Monday, the Launceston City Council voted to introduce the ban next January, despite opposition from both the Launceston Chamber of Commerce and Cityprom.

The council heard officers had sent out 50 surveys on the proposed ban to outdoor dining operators, but had only received one completed form back.

AHA chief executive Steve Old said he was flabbergasted by the council's decision, and that his organisation would be lobbying aldermen to overturn it as soon as possible.

Mr Old said instituting the ban would result in "a war" between restaurant operators and the council.

"We are absolutely fuming," Mr Old said.

"I would have thought if the council planned to make such a major decision that was going to have such an impact on the hospitality industry, they would have come and chatted to the association involved.

"They did not have the decency to do that.

"They claim they've sent out 50 surveys to businesses - but I can tell you out of the biggest hospitality venues (in Launceston), none received a survey."

Mr Old said the ban would have "a massive impact" on cafe, restaurant and hotel operators who had already complied with smoking bans indoors.

"Smoking is not outlawed - it is a legitimate, legal thing to do," Mr Old said.

"If someone wants to outlaw smoking completely, then go for it, but why is the council targeting restaurants, pubs and hospitality venues when they have already had bans on smoking inside?

"Restaurants and pubs are the biggest ratepayers in municipal areas and if the council wants to start a war with them they are going down a dangerous path."