Washington is set to become the ninth US state to ban smoking in bars from next month.

The state already prohibits smoking in most public places and will extend the ban to bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, mini-casinos and most hotel rooms in December. 

The state-wide ban won support from 63% of voters, while 37% opposed the measures. 

It includes provisions for a 25ft smoke-free buffer around doorways, open windows and ventilation intakes. 

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont have already banned smoking in bars. 

Another five states - Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Montano and Utah - have outlawed smoking in restaurants but not in bars.

By Angela Frewin

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