When the smoking ban was first discussed I had sided with team tobacco because such a blanket move seemed unfair. We are a nation that places great value on our personal freedoms and we rile against any attempts to erode them.

Long may it be so.

But now I can admit my feelings have shifted slightly.

Implementing such a ban was always going to have a profound effect not only on the lifestyles of the masses, but also on our health and in some cases our livelihoods.

There have been winners and losers on both sides of the divide. Some pubs have suffered and for many of their customers the simple pleasure of a pint and a fag has gone up in smoke.

But despite these saddening losses, and having had some five months to reflect, I feel the benefits outweigh them.

This is for the simple reason that while personal freedoms are extremely important, they should not be allowed to impact negatively on those around us.

I was right about one thing, however; that the ban has created a rift between smokers and non-smokers. Several of my friends who happen to be nicotine fans say the effect has been, in a sense, to vilify them or cast them as outsiders.

In fact, a couple of them have told me about regularly receiving abuse or taunts for smoking outdoors since the ban.

While society's opinions may increasingly be shifting away from tobacco, our smokers should at least be afforded respect.