Extra 1.8 million customers due to smoke bans?

An extra 1.8 million customers are expected to visit pubs, clubs and wine bars in England and Wales as a result of the smoking bans, according to a new survey.

An Ipsos MORI poll found that 20 per cent of regular or occasional drinkers in pubs, clubs and wine bars said they would visit pubs more regularly.

This view was held most strongly among non-smokers, with 26 per cent of the 1,704 adults asked in England and Wales saying they would probably go out more often.

Those visiting pubs and wine bars more often are most likely to be 35-44 year olds, the survey found.

Under 25s who are regular or occasional pub and wine bar-goers said they will probably go less often (23 per cent), compared to 12 per cent overall.

Regionally, the South of England is most likely to benefit from the smoking ban where there are currently more occasional drinkers, the results showed.

Gill Aitchison, Ipsos MORI's head of marketing specialism, said: "Our latest survey shows that the ban on smoking in enclosed public places is likely to boost business for publicans, who can expect to see 1.8 million more customers.

"It seems that amongst non-smokers, 13 per cent would now visit a pub or wine bar more often, and this intention is surprisingly shared by three per cent of smokers.

"We anticipate that bars and pubs will become more popular because the majority of those questioned, some 72 per cent, believe the smoking ban would result in a more pleasant atmosphere.

"This opinion is so widespread that even 55 per cent of smokers questioned agree with this statement.

"In order to fulfill customers' expectations, publicans will need to invest in their facilities, to appeal to broader age range and to women."