BAR staff say their first impressions are the ban on smoking has affected business - but they believe it is going to get better.

From July 1, it has been against the law to smoke in enclosed public places.

Publicans are already noticing a dip in trade and a dislike for standing in the rain to smoke.

Mustie Hassan, 32, the owner of R Bar, Windmill Street, Gravesend, said: "It has completely killed business.

"It's going to take time for people to get used to it. For this month at least I think people will stay away."

Barry McEwen, 55, from Chatham, who restocks cigarette machines in the Gravesham area, is also worried there will be a slump in trade.

He said: "It wasn't too bad just before the ban because everyone was stocking up for the last weekend. We will have to wait and see what will happen."

Allison Clark, 28, manageress of the Trocadero, Windmill Street, Gravesend, says the recent poor weather has not helped the number of people visiting the premises.

She added: "We work on percentages of the sales. It's gone so quiet we are just getting nothing."

Anyone lighting up illegally can be fined £50, reduced to £30 if paid within 15 days.

Failing to prevent smoking in a pub can lead to a fine of up to £2,500.

Kathy Pickering, 40, who lives and works at the Railway Tavern, Railway Place, Gravesend, said: "It's a lot less busy but this is to be expected. People will get used to it once they have stopped moaning.

"We think people have been smoking in the gents. We're on to them and will get a smoke detector in there. But would you want to smoke outside in the rain?"

Chairman of the Gravesham Licenced Victuallers' Association, Pip Nevell, said: "It is a bit early to say what the effects will be and it will affect people differently."