IT WAS billed as the last gasp for Scottish smokers, but when the moment came it was more of a feeble wheeze.

Weary resignation was the prevailing mood as smokers saw out the last night of legal smoking in enclosed public places with grim determination.

In the air was the sense that it might be the beginning of the end of Scotland’s deadly love affair with tobacco.

However, the faint aroma of victory was barely discernible amid the pungent smell of Regals, Marlboros and Berkleys smoked in anger.

Wrapped in the stale fog, hardened smokers across the country puffed their way towards this morning’s 6am deadline.

At the Clutha Vaults, one of Glasgow’s best-known pubs, the atmosphere was distinctly subdued. Robert Scarrow, the barman, admitted he was worried about the short-term fallout from the ban.

“I’m a non-smoker so I’m looking forward to it, but I am worried about the effect this will have on passing trade,” he said. “I think arguments will break out and there’s bound to be trouble. But when the no-smoking signs go up tonight that’s that.”

Dozens of pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants laid on themed evenings to mark the occasion and, in some at least, the mood was upbeat.

One of the most unusual was the “last smoking supper” laid on by the Wild Bergamot restaurant in Milngavie, featuring a succession of smoked courses.

The £60-a-head menu included tobacco panna cotta and wild boar wrapped in tobacco leaves. Cigars were passed round after the meal in the smoking lounge. “The idea came from a couple of regulars who are cigar smokers,” said Alan Burns, the chef-patron. “I thought it would be quite fun to do something to mark the occasion.

“I believe that in future years people will reminisce about smoking in pubs the way they do about the days before the seat-belt legislation came in. It won’t be such a big deal.”

The 10 diners — half of whom were smokers — were largely in agreement.

“Even without the legislation I think the attitude to smoking in public is changing.” said Maria Taylor a 41-year-old reporter for the Children’s Panel. “It’s becoming less acceptable. I am pro-choice but I am glad that the smoking ban is being introduced.”

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