Smoke protector

The possibility of a smoking ban in Scotland is growing more likely. Tom Sandham reports.

After a week of announcements from the Scottish Executive, many in Scotland now feel perilously close to a smoking ban.

The situation looked dire last week when the First Minister, Jack McConnell, talked at the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) dinner emphasising the Executive's commitment to the ban, claiming pubs had a role to play in it and should be "working towards a healthier, fitter, safer society".

This followed a visit to Ireland where it is thought members of the Executive were given a somewhat short-sighted view of the ban, spending time with Irish health minister Micheál Martin - another strong advocate of the ban.

The Executive's view is that the ban will protect the health of the public and businesses, it seems, are not a consideration. The view was strengthened by what it considered a comprehensive public consultation.

Results suggested widespread support for a ban but, as with the visit to Ireland, many in the trade felt the questions asked did not encompass the more specific issue of smoking in pubs.

"The whole consultation process has been a sham since it started," said Paul Waterson, chief executive of the SLTA. "We know that if you ask a general question about whether a ban on smoking in public places is a good idea, 80 per cent will agree. However, if you ask the public if they want a ban in their own local pub the results are completely different."

The true impact of the visit to Ireland and consultation results is likely to be felt on November 10, when the Executive will announce its intentions.

Although calling for a ban and actually implementing one are very different, the trade expects the announcement to be in favour of one in the workplace.

"The situation here is very serious now," added Mr Waterson. "The Executive has made its mind up, but we're still prepared to fight tooth and nail to reach a compromise."

Pub company Barracuda is among the interested parties, particularly after announcing its plans for an aggressive expansion policy into Scotland.

Mark McQuater, chief executive, has been diplomatic about a ban and as yet is not too anxious.

"We believe in choice for our customers and also in providing a good environment for staff, diners and non-smokers," he said. "We've embraced the industry's new initiative on smoking, which is something that almost all the major managed pub companies in Britain have now adopted, but will look to conform to the Scottish Executive's decision on smoking in public places."

Stuart Ross, chief executive at Belhaven, is also adopting this approach and is not yet ready to consider the Scottish situation disastrous.

"It's not all doom and gloom," he said. "We've made it clear that we don't support an all-out ban and want restrictions phased in, but if it is enforced we will have to be objective and look to encourage non-smokers into pubs.

"We've put our views to Mr McConnell and we've made it clear that if there is a ban it has to be for everyone, which includes clubs. At the moment clubs are considered private so there need to be changes in our licensing laws to make sure everyone is involved and it is a level playing field."

• Sheena Western, licensee at Rosemount Bar in Aberdeen, said:​ "It will definitely affect us. We are a small local and have a number of customers who smoke. They are our bread and butter so if they can't have a cigarette and turn their back on the pub it will be serious to my business."

Paul Ryan, licensee at O'Neil's Irish Bar in Dundee, said:​ "The pubcos should have been putting in the measures they talk about now five years ago. It's too late to make a difference. In the long term it's probably a good thing but there are pubs in Scotland that will suffer and there are those that will disobey it if it becomes law."

Pat Mitchell, manager at the Fluke Inn in Inverness, said:​ "We've had no smoking at the bar since April and a designated no smoking area, and we've had lots of positive feedback from staff and customers.

"A total ban is inevitable but it will damage some businesses and we'll see a lot more having to turn to food to support trade."