Smoking spaces and practices in pubs, bars and clubs: Young adults and the English smokefree legislation

► Young adults' smoking practices and the impact of smokefree legislation were explored. ► Participants carefully managed their smoking in different spaces in relation to the self they wished to present. ► Smoking played a role in constructing time-out periods from the demands of everyday life. ► The restrictions imposed by the legislation were met with a high level of acceptance amongst the young adults. ► The legislation disrupted the connection between smoking and 'going out' while instigating the development of new sociable smoking spaces.