With a smoking ban taking effect today, scaremongers say it will be an economic disaster, but many bar and restaurant owners are upbeat about the effect of the legislation on their businesses
Restaurants and pubs generally welcomed the smoking ban that kicked in at midnight, with owners dismissing concerns that their businesses would suffer.
Some even predicted turnover would improve.
Anti-smoking posters handed out by the government could be seen inside and outside many restaurants in Central and Causeway Bay yesterday.
Cheung Heung-sin, manager of the Tsui Wah Restaurant in Central, said waiters had been giving smokers early reminders about the law when serving them with ashtrays.
'In fact, we have seen far fewer smokers in our place in recent months,' Ms Cheung said. 'I think many people have learned to adapt to the law automatically since it was passed.'