Trade leaders are due to meet on Monday (October 8) to discuss the results of a survey into smoking in pubs.
Research into the number of outlets that have signed up to the trade's voluntary charter will be presented to members of the trade's Charter Group group at the meeting. The figures will then be passed to officials at the Department of Health.
Estimates suggest compliance with the charter, which recommends the use of signage and encourages the installation of no-smoking areas and ventilation where appropriate, has more than doubled since January this year to between 20 and 30 per cent of the pub market.
But this still leaves the trade short of the target of 50 per cent compliance by the end of 2002.
Research has showed there has been a 70 per cent increase in no-smoking areas in pubs since the charter was introduced in 1998, with a third of outlets now offering a seperate area.
But the trade faced criticism last month over National Office of Statistics research which showed half of all consumers support the need for more smoking restrictions in pubs.
In many cases, pubs that provide for non-smoking customers by using ventilation or separate areas do not advertise the fact to customers.
Oliver Griffiths, of the Atmosphere Improves Results (AIR) initiative, said: "Any pub with a non-smoking area should advertise the fact by putting up a 'separate areas' charter sign. There are a huge number of consumers looking for pubs with non-smoking areas - by using the signs licensees can help to attract this new business."
Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, urged licensees to think about the smoking issue.
"The number of venues offering separate areas and high quality ventilation is growing fast. This proves that the industry can manage the smoke issue responsibly. We now need to communicate this to the outside world through signage," he said.
The Department of Health will be reviewing the research this autumn to identify whether the industry is on track to meet its January 2003 target of 35 per cent of venues with non-smoking areas and/or upgraded ventilation and 50 per cent with charter signs.
The possibility of additional Government restrictions on smoking in pubs was the number one concern for licensees in a recent survey by the trade's Red Tape Group.
Related news:
Survey shows Britons favour further smoking restrictions (27 September 2001)