Mixed reactions over smoking ban

A number of publicans have been fined for breeching regulations

A survey of publicans in the north west of England has revealed that more than half those quizzed on new smoking laws received positive customer feedback.

The poll, carried out by BBC North West Tonight, saw 50 landlords from Greater Manchester questioned about enforcing the smoking ban.

A further 70 publicans from Lancashire and Merseyside were also surveyed.

The law preventing people smoking in enclosed public places came into force on 1 July.

Fines imposed

Nine out of 10 landlords said the ban was easy to enforce and of those questioned, 60% said they had received a positive response from customers.

However, 16% said that customers had reacted negatively and a fifth claimed that the ban had had a negative impact on their business.

Just under 50% said that business has stayed the same while 32% revealed that the smoking ban had improved it.

But not all landlords in the north west of England have been happy about the new rules and some have been challenging the laws by permitting customers to light up.

A number of publicans have been fined for breaching the latest regulations.