In one city centre bar the air is now 94 per cent cleaner.
We approached leading air pollution expert Dr Adrian Watson, from Manchester Metropolitan University, to carry out a study on our behalf.
Last Thursday Dr Watson checked the air quality in a popular city centre pub using a pollution monitor.
Then he checked it again yesterday.
Before the ban, the air in the Rising Sun, in Queen Street, contained an average of 100mg of particulates – or pollutants – per cubic foot of air, including nicotine and other cancer causing particles. Yesterday the figure was down to an average of just 6mg of pollutants per cubic foot of air – which compares with the air in the street.
He said: "The quality of the air has improved almost 20-fold since the ban was implemented – which says everything about how necessary the ban was.
"The monitor picks up many different particulates in the air but smoke forms the major component as these results conclusively show.
"Prior to the ban, the readings varied between 50mg and 280mg over the hour that we were in the pub.
"These readings depended largely on how many people were smoking at any one time. But following the ban the readings remained constant, which would suggest that all bar staff are now working in a safe atmosphere which is totally free of all carcinogenic particles.
These results will be mirrored in all pubs, clubs and other public venues across Manchester."
The landlord of the Rising Sun, Gary Smith, said that he had been surprised by the findings but still expressed reservations about the ban.
"From my employees’ point of view, the ban is undoubtedly a good thing, but I’m worried about the potential impact of the ban on my business.
Mr Smith added: "I would say that 60 per cent of my customers smoke.
"I am very anxious that many city centre pubs will now struggle for business – we simply don’t know what is going to happen at the moment."
Regular customer and smoker Campbell Black, 43, said that he regarded the ban as an infringement of his civil liberties.
"I’ve enjoyed drinking here for many years and will continue to do so because it is a truly excellent pub," he said.
"But I do object to having to go outside for a smoke – the British weather just isn’t conducive to smoking outside."
Have you noticed a difference since the smoking ban was introduced? Have your say.
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
The Right to Reply (04/07/2007 at 10:11)
ALFIE (04/07/2007 at 11:14)
Anon (04/07/2007 at 11:29)
DANSPOC (04/07/2007 at 11:41)
Puffing Billy, Outside (04/07/2007 at 12:06)
The ban is unfair, un-democratic and a disgrace.
I hope they ban eating takeaway food and drinking alcohol next. I do neither but I live near a pub and have to put up with frequent pools of vomit - which is anti-social, causes diseases and not what I want to look at.
In other words - pick on somebody else for a change!
Kate, Manchester (04/07/2007 at 12:16)
Puffing Billy, Outside (04/07/2007 at 12:30)
Anyway, crank up the income tax I say. I'm a private equity investor so pay almost no income tax.
Amanda Goss (04/07/2007 at 12:33)
Betty's Hotpot, Cheadle (04/07/2007 at 13:09)
Puffing Billy, Outside (04/07/2007 at 13:18)
Meanwhile other people with dirty habits are encouraged to 'come out'. I think I will emigrate.
Rimsky (04/07/2007 at 13:27)
Calamity (04/07/2007 at 13:41)
ace, manchester (04/07/2007 at 13:50)
People like you amanda need to get into the modern world? and stop staying in the snug/smokeroom with your victorian ideas about smoking.Good god how many people keep promoting smoking?I just shows how many people still think that smoking dosnt cause harm to people??? Open your eyes and ears and listen to some peoples stories how people are dying each year just because they go into places where people smoke.........How many times must you be told "SMOKING KILLS PEOPLE"
midon1408, Sunny Eccles (04/07/2007 at 14:08)
Anon (04/07/2007 at 14:16)
Puffing Billy, Outside (04/07/2007 at 14:37)
I hope you non-smokers all remember the problems cause by eating fat, drinking alcohol, playing dangerous sports etc. I suppose the things that you all do are sacrosanct - we'll see.
Meantime I'm off outside for a breath of fresh air - your stinking self-centred hypocrasy is choking me.
Snare Drum, Ashton-under-Lyne (04/07/2007 at 14:51)
Puffing Billy, Outside (04/07/2007 at 15:17)
The no smoke brigade whine on about the cost to the NHS. Eating unhealthy foods, boozing to excess and dangerous sports costs far more.
If you want to argue at least try to be courteous.
Philipac, Northenden Manchester (04/07/2007 at 15:25)
I will post on here sometime the REAL reason for the smoking ban. It is not what you think. It results from an economic think-tank report given to the government over ten years ago. It is not to look after your health!! I bet you are all wondering.
Rimsky (04/07/2007 at 15:33)
Philipac, Northenden Manchester (04/07/2007 at 15:41)
Puffing Billy, Outside (04/07/2007 at 15:45)
And to reiterate - I hope you are all as enthusiastic about reducing exhaust fumes, or does that not count bedcause it suits you.
It seems the non-smokers rant more than smokers. You've got the ban - get over it.
Be careful you holier than thou folk - it's only a matter of time before one of your grubby habits becomes outlawed.
Geoff Duxbury (04/07/2007 at 17:24)
Whilst I sympathise with your situation, I can only say that since the ban came in last Sunday, I have been in a couple of places, one a working mens club the other a pub, that, prior to the ban, I would have left smelling of stale smoke, needing to wash my clothes before I wore them again.
It was nice not to have to leave smelling of smoke, but it was also a lot nicer to sit and talk to people in a fresher environment, with no cloud of smoke hanging over the room.
Obviously there are two sides to this argument, but from my point of view I applaud this ban, it will help not only non smokers but smokers who wish to stop, possibly giving them the incentive they need to give up.
30 years ago no-one word seat belts in cars, when the law was changed a lot of people objected, nowadays it's just an accepted way of doing things, in another generation young people will wonder what all the fuss was about.
Duane, Manchester (04/07/2007 at 18:45)
Bernie D. Slamon, Surrey, BC Canada (04/07/2007 at 19:39)