Barnsley Council has abandoned plans for a ban on smoking outside pubs.
The Council caused a storm when it proposed the idea in a consultation document.
The climb-down followed a meeting with members of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations and Barnsley LVA.
Lee Le Clercq, the BBPA's regional secretary said: "We had a useful meeting with Council members and officials and we can now say categorically that there will be no ban on smoking in the open air in Barnsley or anywhere else for that matter.
"Whether this story originated from the ambitions of certain local politicians or from a misunderstanding between the Council and local media, the matter is now clear. Customers will continue to smoke quite lawfully in the open air.
"During the meeting it was agreed that some premises owners, and we are not just talking about licensed premises, are ignoring their responsibility for keeping their 'outside cafe areas' clean and tidy.
"This is particularly important where these areas front the highway. They must provide ashtrays but if customers are simply depositing cigarette butts on the highway then responsible operators will ensure that this is cleaned up."
The meeting was organised by FLVA vice president Dennis Griffiths, licensee of the Miners' Rest in Barnsley.
Le Clercq added: "Barnsley Council hosts a well supported licensees forum and it was particularly disappointing that this issue, which so directly affects licensed businesses, had not been directed through that forum.
"The Council has agreed that in future this forum should act as an initial conduit for all ideas, the good and the not so good!"
The Council's consultation document, entitled "Guidelines for street cafes", said it was considering banning smoking in outside licensed areas from 1 April.
If customers are caught smoking outside three times, the premises could lose its licence.
In a statement released today, the Council said: "Following successful discussions, it was recognised that the new street café culture in Barnsley has brought with it many benefits but also problems that need to be addressed.
"In doing so it was accepted that the best way forward was to manage those problems together in the following ways:
· There will be no compulsory ban on smoking outside pavement café premises but a voluntary one.
· It was agreed by all parties that some business owners need to become more responsible in managing numbers of people around these areas and the litter and debris they cause
· That the Licensing Forum should monitor these activities with a view to policing the system and the management of future licences."