Speaking on the first anniversary of the smoking ban, Gerard McGill, proprietor of Felix's Bar in Strabane, told the 'Journal' that the decline in the pub trade has not been caused by the introduction of the smoking ban but rather by "big supermarkets" selling cheaper alcohol.

"Although I have noticed a downturn in business, probably about 2% from this time last year, I couldn't say that it has been caused by the smoking ban. Most of my customers have adjusted well to the ban, they accepted that they had to go outside without any fuss. People were used to it with the ban already in place down south a few years before." he said.

Mr. McGill said that in contrast to many other publicans in the town he was fortunate that he had the space to make a heated shelter for his 'smoking' customers in a private area outside of his premises.

Desirable

"I think it helps when the smokers know that they can go out for a smoke without having to stand out on the street in view of passersby, it doesn't look very desirable having large crowds smoking and throwing their butts on the street," he said.

Mr. McGill continued: "Since big supermarkets like ASDA have come into the town and the government have taxed alcohol even further in an attempt to stop binge drinking, we cannot compete with ASDA selling multipacks of cans of beer in special offers," he said.

However, Mr. McGill said that since the smoking ban he has noticed a decline in his daytime trade which would have been mainly the older generation.

"They are just not coming out in the same numbers anymore since the smoking ban.

"I have heard some of my regulars complain about going outside especially in the winter.

'Good thing'

"They don't smoke as much either, I would find half smoked butts in the ashtrays, which could be a good thing for their health," he said.