Pub goers gave a mixed reaction last night to the smoking ban which came into full effect on Sunday.

At the Flanagan's Irish Pub and Restaurant one customer told The Royal Gazette: "I think the ban sucks. I know smoking is bad for my health but it is a personal choice.

"Government has no right telling me where I can smoke a cigarette."

Another person critical of the ban said: "Cigarettes are a legal substance. I think if a clubs wants to allow people to smoke they should have a special permit. A non-smoker can go to a club that doesn't allow smoking and Government by virtue of special permits can regulate how many club's fall into each category."

A non-smoker, who was just leaving the Docksiders Pub and Restaurant, felt the cigarette ban was a good thing. "The air is cleaner. My dry-cleaning bill will be much less and my clothes won't smell like second hand nicotine."

At the M.R. Onions restaurant at least one person felt that clubs and restaurants should have done more to prepare for the ban.

He said: "I am a smoker and I am very disappointed that restaurants and bars failed to prepare for the ban. They could have created outside areas with large TV screens so that smokers could still enjoy the pub atmosphere while enjoying a cigarette."

Government announced last week that it would not grant exemptions to bars and restaurants which had applied to opt out of the smoking ban.

The 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.