The new laws will take effect from July 1, with many fearing for the survival of country pubs.

Smeaton's Cumberland Hotel publican, who only wished to be known as Helen, said the new laws would be a challenge.

"It will have a huge impact on small country pubs," she said.

"A lot of pubs close. Who knows what's going to happen?"

Helen said the hotel had a bricked beer garden which would accommodate smokers when the new laws took effect.

"Winter will be a challenge," she said.

Creswick's British Hotel publican Stewart Thomas also believed the new laws would affect trade in country pubs.

He said it was another expense, which was hard for country pubs to afford.

"We will have to move the people in winter," he said.

"I think we will lose a lot of customers."

Manager of the Daylesford Royal Hotel Wayne Sharp said pubs weren't ready for the new laws. Currently, the hotel's sports bar is the only area in the hotel that accommodates smokers.

"We will provide an area open to the customers which will be a cost to us with renovations," he said.

"My worst concern is if they have to go outside, they will go home."

Mr Sharp said the hotel didn't want to get rid of the smokers, but would try and get rid of the smoke to make people comfortable. He said he felt for the country pubs.

Meanwhile, publican of the Commercial Hotel in Kingston Michael Duggins was not concerned about the new laws.

He believed non-smokers would start going to the pub.

"I think after a few weeks it will ease up a bit," he said.

All pubs contacted by The Advocate had not altered their pub to accommodate smokers outside.