[Barrie Yates]

Would appear that you hold a minority view Ken.
There are many factors why a pub closes down, a lot of them are interactive, location, facilities, staff attitude, quality of beer and service, availability of food, entertainment, local transport, cleanliness - I am sure that there are many other factors.
If I had the choice between a pub that had decent smoking facilities and one that didn't then I would always go for the former - why, because even though I no longer smoke, many of my friends and family do and going out for a drink is a social occasion to me.
Of course one must also consider that being friendly with any particular landlord may well colour one's judgement.