Smoke-free areas are not harming custom says survey
Smoke-free areas in pubs will not harm trade, according to a new report. The results of a survey of more than 400 hospitality businesses, published in the British Medical Journal, show in almost all cases there has been no fall in trade following the introduction of smoke-free areas under the industry's Smoking Charter.
The survey found that that:
- 82 per cent of businesses had no problems with their smoke-free policy
- 90 per cent has seen trade remain steady or increase since the policy was introduced
- 95 per cent would recommend no-smoking policies to similar businesses
The figures should come as good news to publicans worried about the effect on trade.
The Publican's Market Report 2002, a survey of 750 publicans, showed that on average pubs would lose around 39 per cent of custom if smoking is banned.
Richard Edwards, a public health lecturer from Manchester University and author of the report, said: "It is economic folly for businesses to continue to ignore non-smokers given the economic benefits demonstrated in this study and the need to protect the health of their customers, including children, and staff from the grave health effects of passive smoking." Defending the trade's record on smoking policies Oliver Griffiths of the industry's AIR initiative said: "It is relatively easy for restaurants and pubs with eating areas to enforce no-smoking zones.
"They would be a lot more difficult to enforce in single room community pubs on a busy Saturday night. These places need cleaner air too, for the benefit of staff and customers.
AIR (Atmosphere Improves Results) has been working with the industry to implement the Smoking Charter, which encourages good ventilation and no smoking areas.
