Of course pubs were on the decline, that's why some are having such a hard time with the smoking ban.

I blame no-one but myself for any withdrawal symptoms I might experience, or any other consequence of my smoking. However, when I started going in pubs smoking was permissible, and had been for hundreds of years. It was incumbent on the objecting non-smoker to register disapproval, whether by way of withholding custom or making complaints or suggestions to the owner. Post-ban, it is incumbent on the smoker to register their disapproval. I do that in the least irritating way I can, by not going to the pub. I still can't reckon why anyone should have a problem with that.