Smoking will be banned in outdoor eating areas in Victoria but not before the next election.
Health Minister David Davis said the government wants to prevent smokers lighting up in alfresco dining venues but it needs to consult with the industry to determine the details of the ban.
He could not say when the changes would come into effect or what it would mean for outdoor drinking areas.
The laws will not be changed before the November 29 election, but Mr Davis said legislation will "certainly" be introduced in the next term of government.
"It will apply to areas where there's dining and the matters around drinking will be worked out steadily in this process," Mr Davis told reporters on Monday.
The Cancer Council said workers in outdoor hospitality areas are entitled to an environment free of smoke.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) urged the government to act quickly and ensure the ban applies to anywhere food or drinks are served.
"This smoking ban needs to apply to all Victorian outdoor dining areas, including bars that do not serve food," AMA Victorian president Tony Bartone said.
He said Victoria's tobacco act states tobacco is so injurious to health as to warrant restrictive legislation.
"This needs to happen now for outdoor dining areas."
Industry groups have raised concerns about the impact the ban will have on some businesses.
Restaurant & Catering Australia says there were some cafe-style places where people go for breaks for a cup of coffee and a smoke.
"We say this is not dining," association CEO John Hart told Fairfax Radio.
"There is not set tables, you don't have a full dining experience and, from a customer's point of view, you're not sitting there for two hours next to someone who might be lighting up."
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said the ban was the right step but there would be implementation issues that needed to be worked through.
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