Customers and staff vote for smoke-free areas over ban

Both pubgoers and pub staff want more smoke-free areas rather than an outright ban, according to the biggest survey on the topic yet undertaken. ​ More than 8,000 customers and 700 staff were quizzed at 142 pubs in England, Wales and Scotland for the ballot, organised by the Atmosphere Improves Results (AIR) initiative - and more than three-quarters of them did not support an outright ban. Fewer than one in four (24.7 per cent) customers said they favoured a blanket smoking ban on pub premises, while just 17.2 per cent of pub staff did. In Scotland the figure was even smaller, falling to 23.7 per cent of customers and 13.9 per cent of staff. But across mainland Britain there was stronger support for a partial ban, with close to half of those questioned backing a ban in pub eating areas. The study will give further encouragement to the trade that an all-out ban could be avoided if more pubs introduce smoke-free zones. Oliver Griffiths, director of AIR, said: "The majority of people think there is a choice between a ban or no ban, but they are completely mistaken. A substantial number of people in pubs believe smoking should be banned in food areas." Licensees are slowly getting the message that they can implement their own rules on smoking, continued Mr Griffiths. "The challenge now is for the industry to get out of its bunker and engage with this issue," he said. Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers - and chairman of the Charter Group on smoking - said the survey tallied with recent Office of National Statistics figures suggesting that only 20 per cent of the public wanted a total ban. "The 'get your tanks off my lawn' attitude among some pubs to some sort of smoking ban has clearly gone," he added. "Licensees are taking an increasing amount of action. The trick is for them to make it clear what they are doing, to believe it and to enforce it." The study coincides with the Scottish National Executive's consultation on a possible ban, due to finish in September. Licensee Alistair Don, president of Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: "This survey means the Scottish Executive should be thinking about an alternative to a smoking ban. "We would be very disappointed if it didn't take this into account." Free kits enabling pubs to survey their own customers on smoking are still available from AIR. Details on 020 7369 5630. Pub users' ballot​