James Wilmore: Bands and the ban don't mix

As an ex-smoker, prone to the odd relapse, I welcomed the smoking ban.

From a purely selfish point of view I thought it would help me quit the evil weed for good.

And so it has proved. While out and about, no longer am I tempted to ponce a fag off a friend for that quick hit.

However, while the ban has been good for my health, last week I discovered a seriously negative side to the new law.

An old friend was playing a gig in the backroom of a North London pub, and me and a group of pals went along to offer our support.

After the set had finished we returned to the main bar to have a chinwag, or so I thought, about the show.

I took a seat on a comfortable looking sofa and waited for the rest of the gang.

And waited. And waited. And waited. Where is everyone I thought? I'm seriously starting to look like Billy No-Mates here.

Of course, it then dawned on me that my friends, most of them smokers, were outside adhering to the wonderful new legislation.

What's a man to do? Go outside and risk being enticed into a relapse? Or carry on with my impression of an aloof sophisticate loner?

I decided to stay put, but by the time people had returned inside, talk of the gig was old hat.

I'm sure many others have experienced similar episodes.

But is there a solution to this problem? I'm really not sure. One things for certain, I'm no longer as big a fan of the ban - even if I have shaken off my smokers cough…