Sir - The Government told us that once the smoking ban was in force, non-smokers would start to flock to our pubs, trade would be well above normal and food sales would go through the roof.

But we have a problem. I think that somewhere along the line somebody has forgotten to tell the non-smokers. Where are they? We geared up with extra staff, revamped the menu, did a paint job, but no extra trade.

The Government told us that 70 per cent of the British people wanted smoke-free pubs, which we thought was a little strange at the time as 80 per cent of pub-goers smoke.

Average British pub takings are 22 per cent down since July 1. I have been told of five closing down within 10 miles of me. Three months ago the British Institute of Innkeepers predicted that England would lose 5,000 pubs in the first two years as a direct result of this ban. What is wrong with pubs having a choice of being smoking or non-smoking? Then market forces would dictate what we would become. That's democracy. And everybody gets a choice.

I predict that within two years you will have to drive quite a few miles to find a village pub that is open. If you do, a pint of beer will cost £5 because the publican will have to charge this to make up for the lack of trade.

We are taking the Government on in the High Court. We have been told that we will win, but if we don't you can kiss goodbye to the great British pub forever, and watch the small micro-brewers start to fold.

Tony Blows, The Dog Inn, Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire

Sir - Overheard at the bar of my local as I ordered a pint: "Well, I can stay here and be bored or go outside for some passive smoking and a chat". We left together to join the crowd in the smoking shed, leaving the bar empty.

Ron Keeley, Woking, Surrey

Sir - Is this going on everywhere? This Sunday lunchtime, my local village pub was more or less deserted, but there were quite a few regulars (smokers) in the garden.

Where are the non-smokers who championed the recent ban? We (the smokers) have to sit outside an empty pub. This is ridiculous. First the post offices, then the general stores, now the pubs. How did we let this happen?

Michael Walshaw, Appleton, Oxfordshire

How does this affect the licensed trade regarding the sell of cigarettes?

Cigarettes can still be purchased from across the bar or through a cigarette vending machines, which makes sense as it would be inconvenient for patrons to leave the premises to buy cigarettes elsewhere.

Woman falls to her death while smoking a cigarette on the ledge of a building.

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