The terrible stench of body odour, cheese and onion crisps, cheap aftershave, toilet disinfectant and mouldy carpets has replaced the smell of cigarette smoke in the local pubs around here.
Barstaff stand around idly, wondering what on earth to do to fill the time - there are hardly any customers to serve, after all.
Once-busy bars are putting the towels up at 9pm.
There is little doubt in my mind that the back street boozer will become a thing of the past, so many will go to the wall.
The health zealots have won their victory but, like with so many other grand schemes of politicians, no one has any idea what to do after Mission Accomplished.
The law of unforseen consequences takes over and we're left with a mess.
Isn't it time to say the total war on smoking has achieved a pyhrric victory, and that having a ciggy should be allowed again in designated pubs?
