Punters have been flocking back to their favourite pubs - but with inside drinking currently unavailable, should smoking be banned from beer gardens?

The reopening this month has seen drinkers revelling in their favourite haunts, but there are some who have claimed smoking should not be allowed in the only area where people are able to congregate.

But many others claimed that would be unfair, unenforceable, and could also hurt pubs which desperately need the business.

More than 200 people responded to an Observer social media post asking for their views.

Among the contributors in favour of a ban was Yane Trajcevski, who wrote: "Yes banned in all public spaces, why socially promote it, it’s bad for you and bad for anyone you might influence to take it up in the future like children!"

Fiona Latham also wrote: "If you are a non smoker, the smell is very offensive and there is still the problem of cancer from passive inhalation of smoke from cigarettes."

Several others said people shouldn't be allowed to smoke where people are eating, including Denise Norris, who said there is "nothing worse than smelling cigarette smoke while eating!".

But despite many claiming it should be banned, even more slammed the idea.

Joe Maher wrote: "No. Stop persecuting smokers. Outdoors it is legal to smoke and vape.

Watford Observer: Some of Watford's pubs with beer gardens.Some of Watford's pubs with beer gardens.

"I gave up years ago but I refuse to join the clammer to force everyone else to do so.

"If you don't like it feel free to move away."

Natalie Rose Gardner wrote: "Non smoker but No don’t agree to banning smoking in a beer garden.

"Smokers should not be discriminated against as it is they have to go outside in the cold.

"I think people forget one time the whole pub, club, work places were full of smokers and we all dealt with it !! You can’t enforce this!"

Gems Lee wrote: "Selfishly as a non smoker yes, but realistically, no.

"You can't enforce that because it is open air.

"It goes against their rights as much as it does non smokers.

"As someone else has said if it bothers me too much, I'd just move to another table or whatever."

James McConnon added: "If pubs have a large enough garden, then separate smoking and non smoking areas make good business sense, but it shouldn't be forced upon them."