Pubs on track to meet charter complicance target

New research from the industry's Charter Group on smoking shows that the pub industry is on track to meet its minimum targets.

The latest market research of 450 pubs reveals that 59 per cent of sites have already signed up to the charter, taking the trade above the minimum 50 per cent requirement set by the government.

Pub operators and licensees have been signing up to the voluntary Smoking Charter which promotes self-regulation on smoking for the pub trade through the use of signage, good ventilation and no-smoking areas where possible.

Industry leaders hope that the success of the voluntary initiative will give a signal to the government that self-regulation is the way forward for the pub trade rather than an outright ban on smoking.

Nick Bish (pictured)​, chairman of the Charter Group, said: "The results are highly encouraging. If these results are borne out of the final assessment - which is due imminently - then we can send out a very clear message to government that legislation is unnecessary."

Licensees fear that banning smoking in pubs could lead to a huge drop in trade and a loss of jobs.

The Publican's Market Report 2002, a survey of 750 publicans, showed that on average licensees thought they would lose around 39 per cent of custom if smoking is banned.

The Charter Group's research revealed that many pub companies have been getting behind the charter. Laurel Pub Company has 92 per cent of its pubs signed up with 67 per cent showing good practice.

Enterprise Inns, the leasehold operator, has 78 per cent of its sites signed up.

But disappointingly Yates and the InnSpired Pub Company have only 20 per cent of their sites complying, according to the research.