LANDLORDS in the Waverley area marked the first anniversary of the controversial smoking ban, on Tuesday, by reflecting on a smoke-free year and the change in public attitude that it has brought. Tuesday marked a year since the ban was introduced, on July 1 last year, and despite an initial drop in trade, most have welcomed the changes and say that everyone is happier and healthier in a smokeless England. Many pubs have had to build smoking shelters for their regulars who like to puff away while drinking, leading to the belief that most establishments have been forced to clean up their outdoor areas. A rise in the sale of food has also been reported and according to a survey published by Smokefree England this week, exposure to second-hand smoke has been reduced by 76 per cent and more than 50 per cent of smokers support the law. Pub landlord Peter Rolfe explained that despite the initial fall in sales, things have really picked up. "It has certainly improved the food trade and the staff are much happier since the ban," he said. "Also, the customers that don't smoke are happier and we all get to enjoy a much healthier environment. We are one of the lucky ones who have a patio to accommodate smokers and I do feel sorry for those that don't. However, we'll have to wait and see what people's thoughts are for the coming winter.' Manager of The Fox and Pelican, Grayshott, Ben Bagguley said since the ban, food sales had increased dramatically and more families were coming in. "We built a designated smoking area, which is covered, heated and lit, so that smokers have somewhere comfortable to go. "However, we have found there are decreased lager sales, between four in the afternoon and 7pm, because people would come in after work and have a pint and a smoke and then go home. They don't do that now. "There is a glass roofed passageway, chairs and lights and the smokers are happy with the facilities. They see us as doing more for them than some of the other pubs in the area." He added: "It has made an awful lot of difference to the atmosphere, it was quite a heavy smoking pub, now that has all gone and food sales have rocketed." Farnham landlord Rob Masterton said that although he's a smoker himself he can't imagine there being ashtrays on the bar now. "It would seem wrong to have smoking in the pub now," he explained. "I've only been here since April, but looking at the figures over the last year it did dip a lot following the ban. To be quite honest though I'm a smoker myself and I've worked in pubs for years but I think it's great not to be working in a smoke filled atmosphere. "Believe it or not, you still get the odd old-boy lighting up inside after a few pints, as they have done their entire lives, and it's quite funny watching them apologise and run out of the door embarrased when they realise what they've done. Everyone just accepts the ban now." Although most landlords have blamed the ban for causing a drop in sales last year, landlord Mike Salczynski said that going smoke free has made no difference to trade. "I used to own a pub outside of Farnham and seven years ago I introduced a no smoking policy to that pub and our sales actually went up because it provided a nice atmosphere for people," he explained. "We didn't have to do it back then but we wanted to and as long as you provide a nice outdoor environment for smokers to enjoy, then it shouldn't affect trade." "You can't just stick a chair under a bit of tarpaulin and expect them to be happy with that. You have to make it attractive so we've got a nice walled garden here with sofa's and chairs and solar powered heating that everyone can enjoy." The introduction of the ban on smoking could mark the beginning of a push on anti-tobacco legislation, with health bosses marking the one year anniversary of the ban by calling for a greater reduction in nicotine use. Britain's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said this week that hard- hitting picture warnings, due to appear on all tobacco products in the UK, from October 1, are "essential" in order to rid the country of it's nicotine habit. "A year ago in England we took one of the most important steps forward in public health for many years," he said. "One year on and the smoke-free law has been accepted by the general public and businesses alike. "Measures such as the introduction of picture pack warnings this autumn, and the current consultation on the future of tobacco control, are essential to keep up the momentum to create a truly smoke- free future."