While other pub owners bemoan the loss of income since the smoking ban, Bernd Michels, landlord at the Three Gables in Signal Road, believes he has found the answer in electronic cigarettes.

The newly launched gadget contains nicotine in a filter cartridge but no tobacco or tar. The device even puffs out smoke like air which is actually pollution free and glows red when the smoker takes a drag.

Bernd said: "It is legal to smoke them inside because the smoke you see coming from it is not really smoke. It is just condensation and it does not contaminate the air."

The product has only been on the market for a few months but Bernd is confident it can be a useful way for pub owners to attract smokers back to pubs and restaurants.

He has contacted the company who make the product and has become their only agent in the Lincolnshire area. This means he will be able to sell the electronic cigarettes to his customers.

He said: "I know there will be a lot of people who will be avoiding going out because they know after a nice meal they would have to go out in the rain or the cold for a cigarette but here they can have the substitute with the electronic cigarette and they don't have a problem.

"I do believe that it will be a solution for the pub business to generate more business again which they lost out because of the smoking ban."

Bernd has already put up notices alongside his no smoking signs telling visitors it is legal to use electronic cigarettes on the premises.

The electronic cigarette costs around £50.



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