A city pub that extended its non-smoking area to cover about 85 per cent of the premises more than a month ago has reported a mixed reaction to the change.

The Postal Order, off Foregate Street, used to have a small non-smoking area to the rear of the pub while the front part was smoking.

However, before Christmas this was swapped around so smokers were confined to the small section while the rest of the Postal Order became smoke-free.

Duty manager Robert Owen said: "Support has been 50-50. It's not popular with smokers, though some appreciate it.

"The non-smokers love it but then some non-smokers also disagree with it."

He added that the change has seen a rise in the number of families using the pub. John Garner is the landlord of the Yorkshire Grey Inn in Earls Croome. In May 2004, the Worcester News reported that the then landlord, Steve Potts, made the decision to introduce a complete smoking ban.

Mr Garner, aged 40, who is himself a smoker, said when he took over in November 2004 he decided to stick with the ban because the customers liked being in a smoke-free environment. "In my view the ban has proved extremely successful," he said.

"If we are full in the restaurant, people will happily have a table in the bar because it is non smoking throughout."

Mike Stevens, who runs Toby's Tavern, off Sansome Street, and is chairman of the county's Licensed Victuallers' Association, believes most pubs and bars in the city will wait until laws are introduced forcing them to go smoke-free. He said: "When it comes to the nitty-gritty, 99 per cent won't jump. They will wait until they are pushed."

Mr Stevens believes pubs could see a loss in trade if they voluntarily went smoke-free but competitors did not.

"I'm a non smoker and so are my staff so it would suit us to go non-smoking.

"But you have to take a realistic business approach.

"If it's a level playing field and all licensed premises are non-smoking then you can do it."