Bar sales were down by a third after the cigarette ban

Leeds University Union voted for a four week trial of the restrictions at its AGM last month.

But Tom Wong from the union admitted that sales in their bars to the university's 33,000 students were down by a third.

"As the only venue in the city banning smoking, it was difficult to maintain trading levels," he said.

Mr Wong told BBC News Online that union bosses were "shocked" after realising they had lost �26,450 in just 13 days.

"We were expecting some kind of effect on trade, but we didn't know it would be this big," he added.

"We thought we might be able to maintain sales but obviously we compete against other bars in the city centre and they don't ban smoking."

Students react

Despite the apparent snub from the university's smoking population, students were surprised the trial had been abandoned.

Joanne Smith, 19, an International Development student, said: "I can understand why they've done it but in the long term people would have got over it and accepted the fact they weren't allowed to smoke there.

"Obviously everyone is going to boycott it in the first place if they think they can change something.

"But if the union had stuck to their guns there would not have been such a hoo-ha in three or four month's time."

Theology student Sheree Olbison, 30, added: "I was quite surprised because the university seems to be moving more towards a no-smoking policy across campus.

"But then again, smoking is a very popular pastime for a lot of students."

Healthy environment

As part of the motion initially agreed by the union in February, information about the dangers of smoking had been made available to all students at the university.

Mr Wong said the smoking ban will be officially lifted on Tuesday 16 March.

"It is regrettable the trial was not a success," he said.

"If every other bar decided to ban smoking then maybe it would work and we could go about creating a healthier environment for everyone."