UK licensees against smoking ban
Fewer than one in 12 UK publicans want a complete smoking ban, according to a new survey published by Atmosphere Improves Results (AIR).
AIR, which is promoting self-regulation in the UK through the industry's Smoking Charter, commissioned a survey of 500 publicans to find out how they would prefer to deal with the smoking issue if legislation was imposed.
Only eight per cent thought a complete ban was the best solution. But many licensees wanted to ban smoking at the bar (47 per cent), while 45 per cent said they would be prepared to invest between £1,000 and £2,000 on a bar ventilation system to push smoke away from staff.
AIR conducted the survey after the Irish Health minister Micheal Martin said he would ban smoking in pubs and restaurants in January 2004. Many fear that if a ban is successful in Ireland it could lead to the UK government following suit.
The views of licensees contradict a survey published by the Irish Times last month, which showed that almost 60 per cent of the Irish population thought the forthcoming smoking ban in pubs was the right thing to do.
Oliver Griffiths, spokesperson for AIR, said: "These findings show that licensees don't buy the reassurances of pressure groups that their takings would improve if smoking were banned - and that they are prepared to invest to protect their staff instead.
"We now have thousands of pubs with bar bans and excellent ventilation and the proportion is rising all of the time. Licensees know that cleaner air means better business."
The Irish trade has no agreement with the government to allow self-regulation. The British Smoking Charter, agreed between the Charter Group of Licensed Trade Associations and the Department of Health, requires pubs to display their smoking policy at customer entrances.
The Department of Health is curently reviewing the Charter and is visiting thousands of pubs to check compliance. Although industry leaders appear confident the industry will meet its targets, the Irish ban highlights the risks of failure.
Licensees wanting to get free Charter signage or advice about non-smoking areas and ventilation, should call AIR on 020 7482 0620 or email enquiries@airinitiative.com.
