We sympathise with pub landlords when they say their trade has been affected by the smoking ban.

No-one wants to see businesses go under.

However, all told it is a good thing we now have a ban on smoking.

Thankfully, the world has moved on in so many ways and banning smoking - which undeniably kills tens of thousands of people each year - in pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants can only be a good thing. Publicans are not the only people affected by radical changes.

Farming is an example of an industry that has had to adapt to change, as have independent high street shops in the face of competition from out-of-town shopping centres.

Back street boozers - predominantly the preserve of men - are most likely to be most affected by the ban.

But for the rest, a clean, fresh family-orientated environment in which people can enjoy food and drink is a good thing.

After all, why should non-smokers be forced to inhale the toxic smoke of others?