A Birmingham pub that became the first in the city to go smoke-free has stubbed out the ban after just TWO weeks. Bar staff at Bennetts put the ash trays back out this week after the move saw takings slump by a staggering 40 per cent. Steve Savva, manager of Bennetts, said he was annoyed people calling for smoke-free pubs had not supported their efforts. "It is a shame because we took a risk giving the public what they said they wanted," said Mr Savva. "Since going smokefree, we lost a lot of regulars and only gained three or four people and that is not enough to sustain a business in the city centre. "We really tried, but the place was practically empty and had no atmosphere. If people want a smoking ban, they have to get out and support it." Bennetts, run by Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries, now has dedicated smoke-free areas, with the main bar area welcoming back smokers like regular Jim Neal. IT worker Jim, aged 54, from Kidderminster, stopped going to the pub in Bennett's Hill "on principle" when the ban came in. "People should have a choice and it is better with areas for smokers and non-smokers," he said. Nickola Goddard, from Selly Oak, a 29-year-old finance officer for English Heritage, in Colmore Row, was also quick to light up. "A smoking ban wouldn't stop me coming here as I would just go outside, but it does make things easier being able to smoke and chat to friends inside," she said. Friends Eda Iannone, aged 21, from Pype Hayes, and Jade Edwards, 24, from Hall Green, who are both barmaids, gave up smoking nine days ago and said they would find it easier to quit being in a non-smoking pub. In a Midland Big Smoke internet poll this summer, 86 per cent of people backed smoking bans in bars, pubs and restaurants. Paul Hooper, the Government's regional tobacco policy spokesman, said: "We're disappointed they didn't choose to pursue this for longer. We understand it can be difficult if other pubs aren't doing the same, but when there is a blanket ban evidence shows profits do pick up after a while." | 
