FEW smokers would consider lighting up in church. Even fewer churches would allow them to do so.

But, nonetheless, church leaders face changes when Wales' smoking ban comes into force -not all of them welcome.

At Newport's St Woolos Cathedral, preparations are already underway to put up No Smoking signs ahead of the ban.

The Reverend Mark Soady, a minor canon at St Woolos, does not believe the signs will intrude on the cathedral's beauty but says: "There is a limit to the number of signs we can put up in any one building before it gets a bit silly."

In the 10 years since his ordination, he has never encountered anyone smoking inside a church or cathedral.

"It's all a bit academic and probably unnecessary," he admits.

Father Jeremy Winston, of Christ Church, Abergavenny, on the other hand, has stopped people puffing in church before.

"People have walked carelessly into church while still smoking," says Father Winston, an ex-smoker himself.

Weddings and funerals are apparently the most likely moments for people needing a holy smoke to forget where they are.

"I imagine it's a lot to do with nerves," he adds.

But despite loathing second-hand smoke, Father Winston is less than willing to adorn his church with the red, white and black No Smoking signs.

He says: "It's a nanny state. Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't need signs or legislation for people to respect that you don't smoke in church?"

The Reverend Michael Payne of St Julians Methodist Church was also surprised to read the rules about signage.

He says: "We already have No Smoking signs in our church hall but the law will mean signs having to go in wedding cars, hearses and even at crematoriums.

"I do feel that's a little extreme."

<--PANEL BOX!-->

Penalty for lack of signage ANY place that does not put up No Smoking signs where cigarettes are banned will be fined a minimum £200.

An Assembly spokesman said: "Churches and other places of worship are not exempt from the ban and we provided the same guidance literature to all affected enclosed public places."

This pack includes sample signage, information on helping people trying to quit and ideas for what to do if someone ignores the ban.

It will be an offence not to display the bilingual No Smoking signage, saying smoking is illegal on the premises.