Well as we all know it is now a done deal so it's a bit academic to argue about whether it was right or not.

But one undeniable fact that has arisen during the first week of the ban is that pub takings for at least one brewery are a lot lower than they were before the ban.

I'm not arguing either way about the ban, just stating a fact.

The pubs have been cleaned, polished and, in some cases redecorated, but there has been absolutely no sign of all those people who hate tobacco smoke suddenly making a bee-line for the new sweet-smelling, smoke-free environment that they were so vocal about wanting.