Ireland LVA: smoke ban has caused pubs decline

by Ewan Turney

One year on from its introduction, the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) of Ireland has claimed that the smoking ban has been the "main contributing factor" in tripling the rate of decline in the Irish pub trade.

While Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern hailed the ban for having a "positive" effect on the nation's health, with more than 7,000 giving up smoking since 29 March last year, LVA chief executive Donall O'Keefe claimed the pub trade has suffered.

"Unfortunately, we were correct in our predictions of the negative business impact of the ban on the pub trade ­ predictions made on the back of an independent economic study which has regrettably proved to be accurate," said chief executive Donall O'Keefe.

"Clearly, all pronouncements by the former minister for health and bodies such as the office of tobacco control that the ban would increase publicans' business were totally inaccurate."

O'Keefe confirmed that the national draught beer market had decreased by 9% and by 13% in Dublin. Approximately 2,000 full and part-time jobs had been lost in Dublin over the past year.

He added: "While the smoking ban is not the only factor responsible for the decline in pub sales, it is without a doubt the main contributing factor. The rate of decline which begun to emerge in 2000 has tripled from 3% to 9% in the space of one year ­ the year the smoking ban was introduced."

O'Keefe praised hosts for complying with the ban and for working hard to make sure Dublin pubs retained their "unique atmosphere". A survey by research consultants Millward Brown IMS found that 17% of adults were going to the pub less because of the smoking ban, but 28% were going less because of high prices.

Another survey from the Office of Tobacco Control revealed that 98% of people believe workplaces are healthier as a result of the ban.