A huge majority of bar workers are against plans to bring in a smoking ban in pubs.
In a major new study of people working in pubs revealed exclusively by The Publican, nine out of 10 said they were happy to work in smoking premises.
The study undermines the government's claim that it is acting to protect the health of workers by banning smoking - as the majority in the trade say they would rather be left alone.
The government set out its plans to press ahead with a ban on smoking in pubs serving food in a consultation document earlier this week.
The research, carried out by HPI Cardinal for the Atmosphere Improves Results (AIR) industry initiative, shows that both barstaff and licensees want the government to explore a range of other options to tackle smoking.
Other findings of the survey included:
- 91 per cent of barstaff and licensees said they believed ventilation could play a significant role in managing smoke in pubs
- 76 per cent want pubs with separate rooms to be able to
- set one aside as a smoking room
- 48 per cent wanted pubs to be allowed some sort of separate non-smoking areas.
Oliver Griffiths, director of AIR, said: "This is the first time that the opinions of those who deal with the issue of smoking in pubs day-to-day have been seriously sought out.
"The desire of barstaff and licensees to accommodate the interests of smokers and non-smokers alike - from separate rooms to ventilation - show how important it is to consult those who work at the coalface, as well as in the policymaker's office."
Bar workers and licensees said that both pubs and customers should be given a choice on smoking.
Michelle Walker, who works at the Chequers Inn in Bishop Thornton, near Harrogate, said: "I'm not a smoker, but working behind the bar when people are smoking doesn't bother me. People should have a choice. We have a smoking and non-smoking area and that works fine."
Madi Rampling, a bar worker at the Swan, Little Totham, Essex, said: "I'd prefer it if there wasn't any sort of ban, because I'm a smoker myself. I think there should be non-smoking areas like there are now in some pubs."
Urwen Higgs, licensee at the White Hart, Bedwas, Caerphilly, South Wales, added: "I don't want a ban because my business will suffer.
"I have a small pub and around 85 per cent of people in here smoke. We have the facilities to accommodate smokers outside, but not every pub does."
People from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland were interviewed for the survey, which included 250 bar workers and 250 licensees.
The trade has until September 5 to respond to the government's consultation.