Denbighshire and Gwynedd could be among the hardest-hit areas in the UK under a proposed outdoor smoking ban.

A study by QR Code Generator analysed the potential impact of the ban on various regions, considering factors such as the number of smokers, pubs, sports venues, and medical centres.

Denbighshire ranked fifth on the list, with an index score of 62.3 out of 100.

The area has a smoking rate of 18.8 per cent, which equates to 18,057 smokers out of a population of 96,046.

The study suggests that Denbighshire's 137 pubs and seven sports venues would all be affected by the proposed ban.

Gwynedd, with an index score of 60.99 out of 100, was ranked eighth.

This area has a smoking rate of 16.5 per cent.

The proposed ban would impact Gwynedd's 176 pubs and 22 sports venues.

In total, the study estimates that more than 55,000 pubs, nearly 7,000 medical centres, and more than 3,000 sports venues across the UK would be affected by the proposed ban.

Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, commented on the findings: "The study clearly shows that certain areas across the UK would be more significantly impacted than others under Keir Starmer's proposed smoking ban.

"These areas, characterised by a higher density of pubs, sports venues, or a larger percentage of the population that smoke, are likely to feel a much more pronounced impact."

He added: "The data shines a light on diverse ways in which different localities could be affected.

"For example, pubs are losing trade due to the prohibition of smoking in beer gardens, or fans are not attending sporting events in venues where the ban is enforced.

"This suggests that some communities may require targeted support to adapt to the proposed changes.

"The data underscores the importance of considering regional differences nationwide when implementing mass public health policies."

The hospitality industry has voiced concerns over potential plans to ban outdoor smoking, including in beer gardens and outside stadiums.

In August, Sir Keir Starmer said the Government would "take decisions" on a potential outdoor smoking ban to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressure on the NHS.

The ban is being considered as part of a range of measures due to be set out shortly.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News: "We definitely want to see smoking phased out in our country, we committed to that in our manifesto.

"We want to make sure this generation of children are the healthiest generation that ever lived and therefore they will never be able to legally buy cigarettes.

"We are looking at a range of other measures to also help people who are currently smoking to quit and also to deal with the scourge of second-hand smoke and passive smoking, which is also harmful.

"We’ll be setting out our proposals on that shortly."