The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) claims that 800 pubs have gone out of business since the smoking ban was introduced in 2006 and argues Scotland has the toughest anti smoking legislation in Europe.
Scots publicans will meet today with landlords from countries where smoking in bars is still allowed.
Legislation is in place in some countries to protect staff and non-smoking customers from second-hand smoke.
Publicans will hear from bar owners from the Netherlands, Croatia and Hungary, where laws are in place that allows smoking but prevents involuntary exposure to smoke by staff and customers.
The SLTA's Paul Waterson said they did not want to overturn the smoking ban, but wanted it changed to allow choice for drinkers and flexibility for pub owners.
He said: "We have invited operators from countries where there more flexible law on smoking.
"We think that after five years it is appropriate to revisit the smoking ban and see if there a solution that is sympathetic to both sides.
"No-one wants to go back to the old days of smoke-filled pubs, but there are many in the traditional style of pub who feel that we could have some sort of compromise."
Mr Waterson added: "We are at the stage of gathering information so we can look at the benefits of any alternatives."
The SLTA argue only five out of 27 countries in the EU have a smoking ban similar to Scotland's; and only the UK and Ireland are in cool and wet climates where outdoor smoking is often not an option.
The ban was passed in 2005, coming into force the following year and legislation was later passed at Westminster making the UK's pubs, clubs, restaurants and workplaces smoke free.
Many publicans, including the SLTA, have since said it has affected trade and forced some bars out of business, and have consistently called for a change in the law.
In other countries the ban has gone even further, with New York, which brought in a pub ban three years before Scotland, now banning smoking in parks and public squares and on beaches..
Any change in the existing law would require fresh legislation in the Scottish Parliament. It is highly unlikely any of the parties would support such a move.
