Smoking ban/Ivor Wynne Jones

At the time of writing, dedicated pub drinkers are half way through their first lunchtime session without the haze of burning tobacco filling the bar.
It's a moment in history that we have marked on page one, but in an understated manner - it's not like Armstrong on the Moon or Wales winning a Grand Slam.
The real story will emerge in the coming days and weeks as we see what impact the ban has on pubs... and in the years ahead, hopefully marked by a sharp downturn in smoke-related diseases.
I'm one of those boring ex smokers who blew clouds of smoke in people's faces for decades and now whinge with the best of them when someone sparks up on the next table.
Newspaper offices were always smoke-filled in my early years. Ash dropping off the end of cigs as we typed away furiously brought about the early demise of many a typewriter and computer keyboard (and there was no more revolting sight than a smoker flipping over the keyboard for the annual "clear out").
The ban on office smoking has been with us for years now and it would seem frankly bizarre to see someone puffing away as they subbed the farming pages. I hope and expect that pub goers will enjoy a similarly smooth and complete transition in their lifestyles.
A bit of sad news for you. Our columnist Ivor Wynne Jones, who wrote for the Daily Post for more than half a century, died early this morning. Many people have already paid tribute to Ivor and you can read their comments on the website now. We are clearing a page in tomorrow's paper for a full obituary and have earmarked a slot in Wednesday's edition to highlight some of Ivor's finest writing.
A sad day indeed, and the end of an era.