As a person who helps to enforce the smoking ban and visit lots of pubs professionally, this piece of legislation is one of the most effective ever introduced. It succeeds where food hygiene and health and safety legislation failed. Contrary to popular belief, it was not illegal to smoke in a food room. It was however illegal for the food handler to smoke in a room where there was open food that was being handled, not quite the same if you are considering taking enforcement action. I also help enforce food hygiene and health and safety legislation and have welcomed this strengthening of smoking legislation.
It is true that many pubs are closing, some quote as many as 4 a day in the UK, but as many others have stated there are many other contributing reasons for this.
Pubs are, without doubt a much healthier place thanks to the ban, together with many other workplaces. On a personal not it now means I can call in the pub for a drink and my wife cannot tell from the smell of my clothing where I have been.
The introduction of the Health Act 2006, the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006 together with the various other pieces of legislation should be applauded.