Winners and losers

Figures for the six months to January show that overall sales were up 5% compared with the same period last year. Drinks sales were up by around 2% and food sales have risen by more than 10%.

Eddie Gershon, of Wetherspoons, said: "Trade in Scotland has been very good since the smoking ban and we have seen many new customers coming through the doors.

"We brought in the smoking ban in some of our establishments before it was officially introduced, just to make sure our customers knew what was going to happen.

"I think everyone appreciates having the chance to enjoy a drink and good food in a smoke-free environment. We are bullish about the pub industry in Scotland since the smoking ban, to the extent we have plans to open 12 more establishments."

Loser: A lot of our older clients stopped coming in'

O'Briens in Glasgow's Saltmarket, which mainly caters for an older clientele, has seen trade drop since the smoking ban was introduced. Owner Brian O'Neill said elderly customers felt uncomfortable being forced outside for a cigarette.

As a result, a number of regulars had stayed away with many more cutting the hours they spend in the pub. The reduced trade seems to have led to a local price war to try to maintain business.

Lorraine Brown, who works in O'Briens, said: "A lot of our older clients used to come in for a whisky, a half pint and a cigarette. They used to enjoy coming here but the smoking ban has meant a lot have stopped.

"Nowadays, a lot of them have changed their ways and go round each other's houses in the afternoon and sit with their pals smoking and drinking and watching the horse-racing, rather than coming to the pub.

"They still nip in occasionally, sometimes with chocolates for the staff, but they are certainly not here as much as they used to be and trade has suffered."