New moves to tackle smoking in public places have been agreed by Scottish ministers.
A "unanimous" decision was reached by the devolved Cabinet which will be disclosed to the Scottish Parliament later, an Executive spokeswoman said.
Ministers are widely believed to have opted for a legislative ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.
She said the ministers agreed on a recommendation from the health minister Mr Andy Kerr.
"There were options outlined in a paper, but there was a recommendation from the health minister which (of these) he personally preferred," she said.
The outcome of the Cabinet deliberations will be announced in the Scottish Parliament by First Minister Jack McConnell at 2.30 p.m. and MSPs will then debate, but not vote on, the issue.
The British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing, and the public sector union Unison issued a joint appeal to Mr McConnell not to compromise on moves to legislate for smoke-free public places.
The BMA argues that smoking-related diseases kill 13,000 people a year in Scotland and account for 35,000 hospital admissions. But the Scottish Licensed Trade Association is forecasting job losses.
It has argued fiercely against an all-out ban and called instead for a voluntary and phased approach which would also cover sports and social clubs.
PA