By ALISON BROWN in Rotorua
Car salesman Nigel Cwaczko takes a long drag on his cigarette and takes an equally long look at the smoke extractor mounted on the ceiling at O'Malley's Irish Bar.
It has become the centre of much banter at the popular Rotorua pub where he has enjoyed a pint and a smoke with his mates for the past six years.
For Mr Cwaczko and others who've gathered for their last chance to light up inside, there is disbelief that it still works while others debate whether it should be relocated to a smoker's museum.
Last night marked the end of legal smoking in bars and clubs around New Zealand and many smokers commemorated or commiserated the historic day with "Last Gasp" parties.
O'Malley's owner Terry Meagher found a novel way to mark the occasion - everyone who smoked at his pub was given a free O'Malley's lighter.
"I've got squillions but I won't have much use for them from now."
Like many publicans, he has altered his premises to accommodate smokers - but now he's not sure if the new deck built off the bar complies with smokefree laws governing open spaces.
"I think there's major confusion over what is legal and what isn't. I haven't seen anything in writing," he said.
He claims health officials have not supplied pub owners with enough information about the new rules. "Most of what we've been hearing is hearsay or gossip."
His regular punters are divided over the new ban on smoking in bars.
Mr Cwaczko says he will reluctantly step outside to smoke from today. "I'm not happy about it. It's taken away our rights."
While some believe the ban will deter smokers from visiting bars, prominent Rotorua businessman Ray Cook disagrees.
A non-smoker, he says the law change is overdue and cites overseas evidence which shows business in bars picks up wherever smoking bans are introduced.
O'Malley's bar worker Krystie Knowles is looking forward to breathing clean air while she works and not having to clean "disgusting" ashtrays.
But while the new law has benefits for hospitality workers, she says dealing with belligerent smokers who refuse to stub out their cigarettes could be a problem. "I wish it wasn't up to us to enforce. If a fight broke out I wouldn't want to be a part of it."
Down the road at the Rotorua Citizens Club, members are worried about the impact the smoking ban will have on the club's coffers.
A downturn in business resulting from fewer punters could cripple the club, says smoker Ross Harvey.
Sitting next to him is Greg Birch, a member of four years who says smoking and drinking go "hand in hand".
While he disagrees with the law, he is using it as motivation to give up his 35-year habit. He is using nicotine patches and has already cut back from 100 to 80 cigarettes a week. "It's hard but at least I'm trying."
Another member, Graeme Morgan, doubts whether the new law will encourage many others to consider quitting.
"It's a load of rubbish. Most of the bar staff smoke here but you can't blame goody-goods like Steve Chadwick for introducing the law. If she didn't do it, someone else would have."
At the Rotorua Returned Services Association, Maori Battalion B company veteran George Rehu sits happily with friends, enjoying a quiet drink - without a cigarette.
The RSA has established a garden bar for its smokers and Mr Rehu hopes all the fuss over the law will come to nothing.
"I've never been discomforted by smokers around me. I think people should just learn to accept the change. It's law now."
At the Pig and Whistle, staff decided to ban smoking inside the bar a day early, removing all the ashtrays and clearly displaying smokefree signs.
Although the bar has a deck area, it is covered with a permanent canopy, which means smokers must go out the front door to light up.
Bar manager Steve James said all staff enjoyed working in a smokefree environment. "You can work a six-hour shift and inhale the equivalent of 12 cigarettes through passive smoking. That's not good."
Although yesterday was trouble-free, Mr James expects busy days like Fridays and Saturdays to challenge staff.
"There will be more people around but I think most New Zealanders are aware of the change."
Smokers take their last gasp
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