Less than a year after it opened in a blaze of publicity, Brighton's first low-tar bar has disappeared in a puff of smoke.

The owners of the Continental, in North Street, planned a haven for frustrated non-smokers fed up with having to endure other people's fumes.

But the Continental has now closed.

Simon Timpson and Mark Eteen, the duo who came up with the idea, were unavailable for comment yesterday but it is believed the closure will be permanent.

Both men run Brighton-based Security Corps, supplying door staff to many of the city's pubs and clubs, and are regular exercisers.

They hit on the idea after becoming fed up with having to inhale second-hand smoke.

Mr Eteen said before the opening: "Our business brain is saying it is a bit risky but our hearts are saying let's see what happens."

It is thought that almost half of pub-goers are smokers, compared with 26 per cent of the adult population, according to Government figures.

Unsurprisingly, the Continental won the backing of health chiefs.

The city's primary care trust said: "We want to encourage more businesses to do the same.

"It's not going to be easy and we cannot force people to do it but we don't think it will put people out of business."

While it was unique in Brighton, the Continental is not the first pub to risk its profit by banishing smokers.

Many bars seeking to modernise over the past ten years have divided their premises into smoking and non-smoking areas.

Most have stopped short of a total ban, fearing it would be unhealthy to profits.

But the Laurel Pub Company - which owns The London To Brighton Hog, The Cricketers in Brighton and the Hog's Head in Hove - plans to have made 60 of its 635 outlets non-smoking by the end of the year.