Swings and roundabouts,
Irish pubs did lose some customers because of the ban, but eventually those who didn't come before hand started to do so once they realised it was possible to breathe in pubs.
The two major factors now are the clampdown on drink-driving and the fact that publicans can sell their licences for astronomical amounts to anywhere in the country.
Jim Carroll
PS As far as I'm concerned smokers would be welcome anywhere if they didn't kill people and if they didn't smell.