Steve Green, landlord at the Dickleburgh Crown and Marilyn Forder, landlady at the Fox And Hounds, in Great Moulton, both say the ban has been a disaster for their profits.

Mr Green said: "The smoking ban has really hurt this place. A few of the smokers don't come in at all now and the ones who do, don't stay as long.

"It's almost dead to the point that I might be leaving very shortly."

He added that takings were down 20 per cent compared with before the ban and his losses since taking over the pub in March amounted to about £35,000.

Mrs Forder told a similar story: "It's an absolute disaster. Since we've had the smoking ban I've more or less asked every customer whether they have come in because it is smoke free and only about three have said 'yes'.

"If people expected the ban would fill pubs, it hasn't, and it won't."

She added that it was the worst period she had known in her 40 years in the trade – 21 spent as landlady at the Fox And Hounds.

Mrs Forder said: "Closure has crossed my mind. If it carries on this way, the pub will close."

There were claims before the ban came in that it would increase food sales, but Mr Green said his weekly takings were about £850 before July, and this week were only at £157 and has already had to make his chef redundant.

Increased overheads, including the fuelling outdoor heaters for smoking areas, as well as competition from supermarkets able to sell cut-price alcohol has added pressure to the trade lately.

Mr Green and Mrs Forder have urged people to support their local pubs and warned that if they don't use them, they may lose them.

Mr Green added: "I fear for pubs' future. I've been a successful landlord for many years and if I'm struggling to make it work I fear for the others.

See previous reports on the smoking ban here.

• What do you think? Add your comments below or email editorial@dissexpress.co.uk

Unhappy Smoker, via email: "If all the publicans were to set petitions up for customers to sign and send it to the Houses of Parliament,(where they can actually smoke) perhaps we might get a positive response."