ANTI-smoking ban campaigner Peter Leigh says the new law will face its biggest challenge at the weekend. Mr Leigh, who is president of Support Our Smokers and also the Guernsey Licensed Victuallers’ Association, said it would be especially telling in Town and the nightclubs.

The ban came into force on Sunday morning and has not yet seen a full weekend. Mr Leigh said the forthcoming one could see problems.

‘Even if ‘Deputy Peter’ Roffey’s suggestion that 20% of the island smokes, that is more than 200 people wanting to come out ‘of clubs’ for a cigarette every night.’

Mr Leigh said people smoking outside in Le Truchot would cause difficulties for taxi drivers.

And noise at night would be an issue.

He quoted an instance eight months ago when a group of diners at a Town restaurant went outside for a cigarette.

‘Within 10 minutes, the police had a call about a gang of people, and that was four respectable middle-aged people.’

He said claims that non-smokers would flock to island pubs following the ban had failed to materialise.

‘I did not see loads of people come in because it was non-smoking, which we were told by the powers that be would happen.’

He added that the smooth transition towards accepting the ban had been down mainly to the fine weather.

‘Everybody is quite happy sitting outside because the weather is so good, but the general feedback is that they are still fed up with the fact that they are being told what to do.’