Australia's the Age: Patrons may have to wait until 2018 before smoking in outdoor dining areas is banned under a plan from the Napthine government.

The government has announced it will ban smoking in dining areas on Monday, but the details of how the ban will work and what types of venues will be included is yet to be worked out.

John Hart is Restaurant and catering association.

It is unclear if venues that just serve alcohol will be included in the ban.

Health Minister David Davis said the government would now examine how bans in other states work as well as consulting with industry. Groups including Quit and the Cancer Council will also be part of the discussion.

Mr Davis also said there would be a period for venues to "adjust" to the ban. He said it will apply to areas where there is dining and the matters around drinking will be worked through.

He said the ban would come into effect in the next term of government but was unable to give a solid deadline - there is an election this year on November 29, with the next election scheduled for November 2018.