Non-smokers are no longer afraid to demand smoke-free environments.

And Bermuda’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Cann, believes it is a direct result of the smoking ban which came into full effect a month ago.

Dr. Cann said it was too early to determine whether the smoking ban had resulted in a decrease in the number of people smoking cigarettes, however he said there had been a definite shift in the attitudes of non-smokers.

“There has been a change in culture and climate and we are finding that more and more people are comfortable telling smokers to refrain from smoking in their presence,” he explained.

Meanwhile, a local physician, who asked not to be named, said a number of his patients are finding it extremely difficult to quit the addictive habit.

“Some of my patients who smoke heavily have expressed to me that people do not want to associate with them because they smoke,” Dr. Can added. “They are starting to feel like pariahs.”

At least one local pharmacy has seen a slight increase in the purchase of nicotine replacement products since the ban came into effect, with the nicotine patch proving to be the most popular choice.

Local bars and restaurants that offer outdoor smoking areas have reported an increase in the number of smoking customers using their establishments.

Dennis Carter, the operations manager at Café Cairo, said smokers do not hang around the inside bar of the restaurant like they used to.

“Our clients are quite happy to go outside to smoke. We have not seen a drop off in trade, in fact just the opposite is happening. We have noticed an increase in customers who smoke.”

The Spring Garden Restaurant and Pub has seen similar results.

Restaurant manager, Steven Wade, said: “We offer outside dining and we have seen an increase in the number of smokers dining here.”

The manager at the Docksiders Pub and Restaurant, Reid Young, said the Front Street restaurant is looking at ways to better accommodate its smoking clientele.

“We have noticed an increase in customers who smoke and we are now in the process of working with our smoking clients to provide them with an area where they would feel comfortable smoking and socialising.”

The smoking ban prohibits smoking in enclosed public places and in the workplace including bars, restaurants, private clubs and hotels.

Smokers can be fined up to $250 for lighting up in enclosed public places, while employers can be fined $1,000.