Pubs are not the only social places that have been affected by the smoking ban - bingo clubs nationwide have seen a drop in attendance of between 20 and 28 per cent.

Mecca Bingo, in Moor Lane, has come up with an innovative way to keep customers happy while they are outside having a cigarette in the cold - outdoor bingo machines have been installed.

David Barker, general manager of the Bolton Mecca, said: "We knew that approximately 50 per cent of our customers smoked, so if they wanted to smoke and still play the game we needed to provide some sort of facility for that.

"It's been pretty unpleasant for all bingo clubs and we're no different. But I have to be honest, if everyone put our hand on our heart then it's got to be better to work in a smoke-free environment."

And some bingo fans will not be deterred by the ban or by the weather.

Ann Isherwood, a Mecca regular from Little Lever, said: "I've been smoking for 71 years, I'm not going to quit now. And I'm not staying in on my own. The only thing that'll stop me is the arthritis."