However, publican Jonathan Stewart said the increase in licensees putting their establishments up for sale is not down to the smoking ban and is instead due to a combination of “volume driven” premises that offer drinks at “rock bottom prices” and some pub companies enforcing restrictive terms.

“The first thing is, it isn’t anything to do with the smoking ban,” said Mr Stewart. “Customers have been mostly compliant. Pub operators have been excellent in implementing the new regulation.”

Mr Stewart said he believed the problem was mainly down to overprovision of licenses, “in particular the granting of licences to premises that are more like drinking warehouse than community locals.”

“These volume driven premises with rock bottom prices are cornering the market with no thought of social responsibility,” went on Mr Stewart.

“As a result, a lot of traditional pubs are being put up for sale.

“The second thing is there are operators and tenancies, particularly new tenants, who are faced with restrictive terms and onerous conditions in terms of the conduct that they have found with some pub companies.

“That’s the reason for many pubs being put up for sale,” added Mr Stewart.

Before the smoking ban, licensees raised concerns about its impact on trade and many feared it could kill off community pubs.