Writing's on the wall

The final decision hinges on the cost of operating and policing a local by-law banning smoking in shops, restaurants, pubs and workplaces, and on the outcome of Liverpool's bid to take similar action.

In a few more months the fate of the borough's smokers should be known - but if the ban gets the green light, it won't necessarily spell disappointment for smokers or pub landlords.

If my visit last week to Dublin is anything to go by, outlawing smoking in public places will be met with a generally positive reaction - from non-smokers and smokers alike.

I was expecting complaints from pub landlords about drinkers turning away in their droves because they can no longer enjoy a cigarette with their pint.

And when I spoke to customers who were standing outside the pubs to smoke, I was again prepared for an unhappy reception.

But instead I was surprised to find almost total support for the ban, which was introduced across Ireland just over a year ago.

Paul Dunlop, who works behind the bar at The Old Stand in the centre of Dublin, says many pubs have lost trade but not solely as a result of the smoking ban.

"Most places' turnovers have levelled off or dropped but the market has been in decline for five years so it's not just because of the ban. I think the biggest reason is the cost of Guinness products which have gone up to a ridiculous price.

"The argument before the ban was that it would decimate the rural pubs in Ireland.

"I'm sure it's affected the rural pubs more, but at the same time if old Bill has been drinking at the same bar in some village for years and years, I don't believe they would put him outside."

And Paul says many smokers actually appreciate the ban.

"People who smoke would rather be able to smoke, but at the same time a lot of them are quite happy the ban came in.

"Smoking is a robotic thing - you're in a pub and someone opens a packet of cigarettes, so you take one, whereas now you actually have to go outside so you don't tend to smoke as much.

"There are a lot more people bringing kids into the pub now for a meal, and some of those parents are smokers who aren't anti-smoking but they're also not 'do as I do'.

"The food side of the business has definitely grown, because even people who smoke don't want someone else smoking while they're eating."

He adds: "Personally, and from what I hear smokers saying, I think the ban is a positive thing.

"It's only a year down the line and eventually it will just become the norm. After all, nobody smokes in the cinema or on aeroplanes anymore."

Fellow barman Fergal Guiney also welcomes the ban.

"I know someone who's worked in a bar for 30 years and has never smoked in his life, and he now has asthma as a result of passive smoking.

"I've smoked since I was 12 and I gave up three months ago. Because of this ban, it's made it a lot easier because when you're drinking you want to have a cigarette."

However, non-smoker Kenny Whelan, who works at The International Bar, sympathises with his smoking customers.

"The thing that bugs me the most is that for years we've had ladies and gents who just like to come into a bar, enjoy a cigarette, enjoy a pint, and go home, but now - because the government just decided to turn around and say 'you guys are not allowed to smoke anymore' - they can't do that.

"The ban has affected trade in bars but whether it's a positive thing or a negative thing overall, we've yet to see. I know nicotine kills but if you didn't have a job, where would you be then?"

Office worker Sarah Feeney, who was having a cigarette break when I spoke to her in the street, doesn't resent the ban.

"I don't feel it's such a bad thing but I do feel there should be an area in bars for people who want to smoke. I go to bars a lot less now and a lot of people are entertaining at home as opposed to going out.

"I don't object to banning smoking in the workplace, even though we could smoke in our office before but now we have to stand outside in all weathers."

Her colleague Jean O'Connor adds: "I actually smoke less now the ban has come in, and for people who are thinking of giving up, it's helping them to make the decision."

Jennifer Bennett, reception manager at the Morrison Hotel, says making the hotel's restaurant smoke-free has been good for business, but bars in the city have suffered.

"I think the ban is fantastic but it definitely has affected the bars. You'd be surprised how many people go home straight after work rather than having a drink because they can't smoke.

"You do find though that a lot of non-smokers are going out to eat and drink because it's much more pleasant for them. Even from my point of view as a smoker, it's good to go out on a Sunday afternoon and sit in a smoke-free bar."

Former smoker Jonathan Smith, manager of the Auld Dubliner pub, has been surprised how good-natured customers have been about the ban.

"I was worried how people were going to react being told to put out their cigarettes - I thought we'd have to call in security - but in the last year I would say four people have lit up in the pub, and that was just absent-mindedness."

He adds: "The ban did have an impact on trade at first, but people are starting to get used to it and are coming back to the pubs.

"We get a lot of UK visitors and they like it, and a lot of Americans say they're coming back because they've been used to smoke-free public areas over there for several years.

"I can't see a bad side to it. My clothes stinking of smoke and cleaning ashtrays are things I'll happily put in the past."

Aidan Meyler, assistant manager at celebrity haunt restaurant L'Ecrivain, admits the ban has had an impact on takings.

"It hasn't affected the restaurant but it has affected us on sales in the bar because, rather than staying and having a cigarette and a brandy after a meal, customers just go home.

"We used to have a great cigar box but we've had to give that away."

When the smoking ban came in, Dublin Tourism seized the opportunity to promote the city under its Breath of Fresh Air Campaign - and it seems to have worked.

Spokeswoman Catherine McCluskey explains: "The ban has been great for tourism because visitors always comment on how nice it is to go into the pubs now and have a meal without choking down other people's smoke. It's made the city and the country more family friendly.

"In Dublin it's created a cosmopolitan atmosphere because many pubs and restaurants have provided outside seating and smoking areas with canvas roofs and heaters."