A smoking ban will be enforced when roofing of the saleyards is completed in August.

Saleyards users have been informed no-smoking signage will be placed around the undercover section of the yards and also where saleyards users including buyers, sellers and agents gather on sale days.

The addition of a roof defines the saleyards as a workplace building and triggers OH&S legislation that bans smoking.

But smokers will be still able to sneak a puff in the uncovered parts of the saleyards.

Agent Vin McKenzie said the changes would be accepted by all saleyards users including smokers.

“There won’t be a riot at Wangaratta saleyards when they bring in a no smoking policy,” he said.

“They are government guidelines and we need to be compliant with everything we do.

“It’s not a problem at all.”

As a smoker, Mr McKenzie considers himself in the minority of Wangaratta saleyards users.

Wangaratta Council, which operates the saleyards, has not revealed the penalties for those who ignore the bans.

Earlier this year tighter bans on smoking were introduced around Victorian schools, hospitals, courts and police stations.

Smokers caught lighting up within four metres of a building where the ban applies face a fine of $147.

More than $3 million is being spent on the saleyards upgrade including roofing, soft floors, improved disability access and collection and reuse of rainwater.

Wangaratta-based construction company Browns is carrying out the upgrade.

The roof span between columns range from 19.5 to 22.6 metres and the roof has a minimum height of six metres with 7.5-metre cantilever over the loading areas.

The roof is being installed in three stages.

Smoking restrictions apply in the undercover sections of the Barnawartha saleyards.