THE smoking ban is one month old and pub staff are enjoying their improved working environment. Regardless of any effect on trade, they have noticed a big change in their surroundings.

‘You notice the difference big-time. My clothes don’t stink and the air is fresh. It was the best idea, especially for barmen.’ said The Library Bar acting manager Eric Bucher.

The positive feedback from bar staff in Town came as no surprise to head of environmental health John Cook.

‘Our prime intention was to protect those people at work. These are the people most at risk,’ he said.

He also said that the department had been delighted with the compliance of customers, but he did not rule out the effect of the hot weather on that.

‘We acknowledge that the weather has been good, so

there has been very little reluctance among smokers to go

outside.

‘But disregarding that, we’ve had a lot of support and comments from licensees and restaurateurs, who are noticing and enjoying the ban.’

Pub and restaurant owner Tony Gover said it was no surprise that staff were enjoying the ban.

‘Given the choice of working in a smoking environment or a non-smoking one, everyone would chose the latter. But that’s the job bar staff choose. If the States turned around and said it would cancel the ban, no one would walk out. People do what they want to do.’

Mr Gover said his businesses were suffering as a direct result of the ban, especially the Golden Lion. He also said that other pubs were on a downward trend.

‘This ban has taken the social fabric out of life in Guernsey.’