The smoking ban in pubs, from my perspective, was a great thing. It encouraged me to go to pubs more often but then I'm not a smoker, never have been and don't understand the appeal. I do agree that pubs should have been given the option, and support, to create designated smoking areas. The smoking den in my (former) local has become one of it's 'selling points'. As for smoking outdoors, people should just be aware of there surroundings. I think most of us would frown upon someone sitting in/by a park or any unlicensed area with children around and drinking (alcohol) so I don't understand why smokers should be seen any differently.
