A BLAENAU Gwent pub which imposed a smoking ban last year is hailing the move as a great success.

Pub owner Bob Smith decided in January 2005 that the policy should be introduced at the Doll's House in Abertillery.

He imposed the ban primarily for health reasons.

"Some of our bar staff don't smoke but they said they were waking up coughing in the mornings," he told the Argus. "Now they really like working in a no-smoking bar."

Politicians in Wales were the first in the UK to back a ban on smoking in public places but the law is not expected to be brought in until some time next year.

Licensee Dan Page, who is 19, said customers at the Doll's House respected the rule.

"They can still smoke on the patio outside," he said. "The takings haven't been affected at all."

Barmaid Lindsay Meredith, 19, a non-smoker of Abertillery, said: "Most people are fine when you ask them not to smoke."

Chris Powell, 52, added: "I've smoked since I was 16 and when they introduced the ban it didn't deter me from coming. I enjoy the pub and the people and that is the main thing."

The Bell Inn, in Caerleon, brought in its smoking ban on Saturday. Tony Willicombe, who runs the pub with wife Ceri, said: "It was a busier Saturday than we would normally have had at this time of the year."