Under the proposal, put forward by Liverpool Primary Care Trust, cinemas and any other premises showing films would have to notify the council 21 days in advance if they intend to screen those containing images of smoking.

It would not affect the classification of old films which have scenes of people smoking.

Andy Hall, chair of Smoke Free Liverpool, said the idea had come from discussions with members of the organisation’s youth group, D-Myst.

He said: “Figures show that 3,000 young people in Liverpool start smoking each year and over half do so because they think the image of smoking looks cool on the silver screen.

“We want this move to encourage film companies to leave smoking out of films.”

However, film producers say a change in licensing laws would not cause a reduction in scenes of smoking.

Mr McKeown said: “I’m absolutely certain it would have the opposite effect and as a filmmaker I would never impose it on writers.”

The consultation, to be carried out by the City Council’s Licensing and Gambling Committee, will begin in mid-August and last until October.

If the committee finds in favour of the proposal, it could be put in place by the end of the year, added Mr Hall.