The attempt to shift the focus of the issue from the health and comfort of people in general and onto the 'poor, innocent folks who just like a cigarette with their beer, and the forlorn pub owners who can't cope' is just a red herring. There is no doubt that smoking kills and causes health problems for those it doesn't kill immediately....if it were invented today, it would never be approved. and it is only a matter of time before it is banned...maybe many years, but someday....The only reason it isn't now is to avoid the economic impact and the chaos of millions of hard-core smokers having fits and causing uproar.

   Someone needs to ASK all those smokers where they go now, and where they smoke. Are they JUST staying home? Are they going to pubs which do have a place outside to smoke? No matter what the answers, things WILL sort out. Some pubs may close...but listing individual examples shows nothing.....some pubs will survive, and do well. Some smokers will quit...some will just go where they can easily nip OUT for a smoke.

25 years ago, our local sing had ashtrays set out and some of us suffered...now smoking is banned and I only know 2 of the regulars who smoke, and they seem to cope. IT IS PROGRESS ...and it is GOOD progress.