Scottish MPs back smoke ban

Banning smoking in pubs will not hit profits, a member of the Scottish Parliament has claimed.

Scottish Nationalist Kenny Gibson said evidence from other countries showed smoke-free bylaws did not lead to a drop in profits and sometimes even increased trade.

But his comments contradict reports from licensees in Canada and South Africa, where smoke bans have hit the pub trade hard.

Mr Gibson has launched a Private Member's Bill which would outlaw smoking in enclosed public places where food is served.

The proposal has won the support of 32 MSPs and is the first bill in the Scottish Parliament to get backing from members of all six parties.

Mr Gibson insisted smoke-free areas do not automatically mean a loss of trade and added that despite the anecdotal evidence that banning smoking cuts profits, "research indicates the opposite is true".

He said experience in California showed no evidence of a decline in revenue and added that studies in seven different states across the US found smoking bans did not adversely affect the restaurant and bar industry.

According to Mr Gibson, a smoking ban would mean cost savings for businesses as a result of less employee illness, lower cleaning costs and reduced fire insurance.

But the findings of the Publican's Market Report showed that 92 per cent of the 1,000 licensees surveyed believed a ban would cost, on average, 41 per cent of their trade.