He said: “We’ve seen customers do the obvious - buy drink from supermarkets, where it’s a fraction of the price, and take their cigarettes home where they can do what they like.”

Outspoken opponent of the ban Mary Moriarty, of the Port o’ Leith Bar, said: “Everyone would have accepted a partial ban, but they weren’t having it – so they have ruined perfectly good bars for no good reason whatsoever.”

She added: “It isn’t over. Next they’ll try to stop you smoking outside pubs altogether – it’s already happening.”

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association accepts some recent closures are due at least partly to the effects of the ban.

But chief executive Patrick Browne said: “Things have been tough for some operators, much tougher for some than others, but the vast majority have emerged stronger as a result of the smoking ban and with a much stronger customer offer thanks to developing their food product and diversifying their businesses.”

And Glasgow trade entrepreneur Colin Barr, who this month launched his fifth Republic continental-style beer-with-food venture in the city, said: “The ban was the best thing that ever happened to bars, and in my pubs we saw takings rise 50 per cent almost overnight.”

The Publican: Scottish smoke ban takes toll