UKIP chief backs smoking in pubs

He said: “This is something UKIP has long argued for, particularly as it is plain as the head on a pint that the smoking ban has played a huge part in the demise of pubs.”

Mr Nuttall, who spearheads UKIP’s ‘Save the Pub’ campaign, added: “The rate of closure has slowed down but is still running at 29 a week and streets in every city and town are blighted by the sad sight of boarded up pub premises.”

A sample of more than 2,000 people commissioned by pressure group Forest showed 57 per cent of respondents would allow well-ventilated designated smoking rooms in pubs and private members’ clubs, including working men’s clubs.