One year since the smoking ban, wow time has flown by!
The Labour government hasn't done much right during its time in power but the decision to ban smoking in enclosed public places at least makes a decade of rubbish leadership kind of worthwhile!

I think it is embarrassing for our society when pubs have to close just because people cannot smoke inside.

I hear the argument that the atmosphere has changed, but is it not for the better? no longer do we have to breathe cigarette smoke and recycled cigarette smoke and we can leave a pub without having to have a shower and wash our clothes after.

Look at the example of diversification from the Angel in Newtown, it demonstrates how the trade can survive.
I would like to think that the collapse of the UK pub industry would not be smoking related, and if it is the case then let it happen as I would rather see pub free towns than have 100's of people blowing smoke into a crowded room which I wished to have a drink in.

Does nobody understand that smoking is a cancer inducing drug?

Smoke before you go out if you have to, then smoke between pubs and smoke when you get home. Smokers are the only people complaining about having to go outside mid pint, that is surely their own problem? Lets allow the non-smokers enjoy a breath of fresh air in pubs for the next few centuries to even out the balance a little.

I would also argue that less than 10 years ago in Newtown; Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sundays nights were busy every weekend of the year, but this has dropped off considerably way before the introduction of the smoking ban, is the economy and the realisation that spending excessive amounts of time in the pub is not a good idea a key factor in the argument, and the smoking ban just another factor in this slide?

I think the Angel is now up for sale, so another one bites the dust. Obviously if supermarkets can sell beer for a fraction of the price you pay in the pub then pubs are going to close, one good thing is perhaps the town centre at the weekends might be a little safer.

Obviously it is sad if some people have to alter their businesses or even go into a new line of work, but the smoking ban is an excellent thing. It is an absolute joy now to know that when you walk into a pub, any pub, you don't have to inhale noxious air. It has to be borne in mind that throughout history conditions change and people adapt. In my own life I have been employed in a dozen or so very different forms of work. So, yes, there may have to be a reduction in the number of pubs. Fine. Those who close will find new work, just as we all have to find new work from time to time. Public health has come first and it HAD to come first. The smoking ban is one of the many fine things which this government has done for the people of this country.

What else has the labour government done to beneift this country?

I was delighted at the smoking ban because now I can go into pubs and restaurants without any fear of becoming a secondary smoker and, possibly, a lung cancer victim.There is nothing pleasant about drinking or eating in an unhealthy,smoky atmosphere and I would visit pubs and restaurants very rarely if smoking was re-introduced.I believe the decline in the popularity of pubs has far more to do with the price of drinks in pubs as compared with the much cheaper supermarket prices. People seem to be drinking at home more frequently than they did in the past(which might be another issue),and, with living costs rising generally,this trend will probably continue.I think the pub owners and managers need to diversify - come up with some creative ideas- if they want to survive. Bringing back smoking is not the answer.

Well said Sandian! Anyone else have any opinions on this debate? It's very interesting!

Doesn't anyone read what it says on a packet of fags, 'SMOKING KILLS'.I cannot believe you want to reverse this decision. I really enjoy a drink at weekends now, no runny eyes, no smelly clothes and best of all, a bar meal without the stink of smoke. Wake up all you smokers, go to rehab!!

I think that the smoking Ban is an excellent idea, I am initially from Newtown, but moved to Donegal (Rep. Ire) over 3 years ago and the Ban came in here long before it was introduced in the UK. The pub trade has not quietened down at all over here, in fact it has grown, so I think the pubs / Landlords/ladies saying that the smoking ban has had a detremental effect on their trade is not correct, it is the peoples choice to smoke if they want to, and no one is stopping these people going outside of the pub to smoke. It is the cost of going out that has or is killing the pub trade, no one can afford to go out and pay £2.70 a pint when you can get it a quater of the price in supermarkets. If you think that the drink is expensive in Newtown, the price of a pint of Budweiser is €4.50 & can vary up to €6.00 for Guiness in some places, but you don't have to drink to go out, you can have a few drinks at home 1st, then go out to the town and enjoy your drinks at a sensible rate, this way, you won't spend no where near as much as you normally would.

whatever happened to pro-choice? shouldn't bars and pubs be allowed to decide for themselves, and stand by their choices whatever the consequences?