Health watchdogs are today expected to reject using a Local Act of Parliament to turn Oxford into a smoke-free city.

Members of the Oxford Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee believe it will be too expensive to introduce a by-law banning tobacco in public places.

Instead, they are expected to take Oxford City Council officers' advice and choose a cheaper consultation to find out if residents want a ban in city bars, restaurants and other public places.

If the results show overwhelming support to outlaw smoking, the council could plan a city ban or use the outcome to back the Government's proposals for a nationwide prohibition, due to come into effect by the end of 2008.

The city council agreed to a smoking ban referendum in January and the details have been passed to the HOS sub-committee.

At their meeting today, members will be told a Private Bill through Parliament has already cost £250,000 in Liverpool, where city councillors hope to enforce £1,000 fines once the by-law is in place.

Instead, officers will recommend that Oxford adopts a consultation process similar to one used in Plymouth, using surveys, questionnaires and workshops.

Paul Sargent, city councillor for Carfax and chairman of the sub-committee, said: "Basically we need to see if there's a will within the residents of Oxford to go down the line of smoking prohibition in buildings. If this will is strong enough, then democracy will take over and we'll have to look at it in further detail."

The consultation process suggested for Oxford would cost between £5,000 and 15,000 and take about nine months to complete.

Councillors would decide whether further action was needed in December.

Susanna Pressel, city councillor for Jericho and Osney and a member of the HOS sub-committee, said: "I feel that we need to wait to see what happens to Liverpool's attempt to bring in a by-law, because they have already spent a lot of money.

"I'm not sure that we'd want to spend so much in Oxford."