It has saved lives, cleared the air and led to thousands quitting smoking in Kent alone.

The national smoking ban was introduced one year ago this week.

While many pubs and bars have suffered a downturn in trade as smokers opted to stay away, others say business is booming.

Phil Thorley, operations director of Thorley Taverns which runs dozens of pubs across Thanet, said: "Reaction to the smoking ban depends on which side you look at it from - commercially it has been quite a challenge but it has been welcomed by non-smokers and even by some who do smoke.

"We have invested quite considerably to provide clean, comfortable and warm environments outside our buildings for people who enjoying smoking while they are out socialising.

"The air quality in pubs has certainly improved and we have had minimal reports logged by our managers of people deliberately breaking the ban.

"Response has been almost total and people have accepted the ban as part and parcel of their socialising now."

Shepherd Neame invested more than £3 million creating smoking areas, an average spend of about £10,000 per house, prior to the ban.

A Sheps spokesman said: "There have been winners and losers since the ban came into force.

"Those licensees who have developed their offer and come up with a point of difference remain successful and are in a strong position to face a challenging economic environment.

"Pubs have suffered not just as a result of the ban but also as a result of rising costs, the squeeze on consumer spending and even poor weather.

"Ninety per cent of Shepherd Neame pubs have an outside space – a garden, patio or courtyard – which have been enhanced with canopies, pergolas, giant umbrellas, lighting and external heaters.

"Pubs which prepared for the ban by providing quality facilities and improving their food and accommodation have not just survived but prospered."

Theo Pantelli, from Pantelli’s coffee shop in Northdown Road, Cliftonville, Margate, believes that the smoke-free atmosphere is a plus for customers.

He said: "It is better for diners, better for customers with babies and children, and gives a cleaner, fresher air quality.

"We have noticed that we are not having to clean nicotine stains from the walls and ceiling any more, and there is no lingering smell of smoke.

"There has not been a single incident of anyone trying to smoke on the premises - smokers have a seated area with overhead heat lamps under a canopy at the front of the shop where they can drink and eat in warmth."