Diageo combats smoke ban fallout
Diageo is spending half a million Euros (£334,000) on a campaign to persuade drinkers not to abandon Ireland's pubs now the smoking ban is in place.
A blanket ban on smoking in all workplaces including pubs was introduced in Ireland on Monday. The ruling has met fierce opposition from trade groups in the Republic, who say it could mean curtains for Ireland's traditional pub culture, as well as hit business. The Vinters Federation of Ireland has warned that the country's pubs could experience the same problems as bars in New York, where a smoking ban led to an average 30% fall in business.
In response to the ban, Diageo, which owns Guinness, a brand synonymous with Ireland, has launched a "Here's to the pub" campaign promoting pubs as good places in which to socialise. The promotion features radio ads with the slogan: "There's no better place than your local pub" Diageo will also give away 10,000 free pint vouchers to Guinness drinkers.
Guinness spokesman Pat Barry said: "Obviously there is a concern about the short-term impact of the smoking ban. But the hope is that in the medium to longer term, things will bounce back." Diageo would be hit more badly than most if trade declined in pubs as a result of the smoking ban, as its products account for 60% of drinks sold in Irish pubs.
The Irish Government has pledged to enforce the ban rigorously. A team of 450 police from the Government's Tobacco Enforcement Agency will be checking pubs, and repeat offenders face losing their licence and a 3,000 Euro (£2,100) fine. Licensees in Ireland are striving to keep smokers at their pubs. Many have fitted outdoor ashtrays and "cigarette shelters" while a double decker bus has been parked outside Johnny Fox's in Dublin for smoking punters.
Charter Group ready to present fresh plans In Britain, the industry's Charter Group is set to present "Charter Two" fresh plans to increase the choice for non-smokers in hospitality venues to Government some time this month. As reported in the Morning Advertiser in January, the Charter Group had two months to formulate a smoking policy following "summit" talks with culture secretary Tessa Jowell and Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson.
Charter Group chairman Nick Bish said he doesn't expect the British Government to follow Ireland's lead. "It is very interesting that Ireland has a ban while England and Wales don't. The difference is the Charter Group," he said. "We have been on the case with Government since 1998. It might have been a torrid relationship at times but we have known what they've been doing and they've known what we want. I don't think they have an appetite for a ban."
Laurel aims for smoke-free 50 Laurel Pub Company is converting three more of its pubs to non-smoking this week. The Meadows in Maghull near Liverpool, the famous Garrick Arms in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cock Horse in Maidstone, all see cigarettes stubbed out for the last time tomorrow (Friday 2 April). Laurel plans to convert 50 of its pubs to non-smoking by the end of the summer.
Maureen Heffernan, communications director for Laurel, said: "The smoke-free policy is working really well where we have tried it, in London, Liverpool, Sheffield, Glasgow, Gateshead and in the Midlands. Food sales have gone up significantly."
Laurel has already made the switch in eight pubs starting with the Ring O'Bells in West Kirby last June with another six due to stub out smoking before Easter and the rest to follow by the end of the summer.
