Fears that a smoking ban in Britain's pubs would lead to job losses have been confirmed.
According to new research one in 10 jobs in the New York pub and bar sector have been lost since the city introduced its ban on smoking in the workplace in March.
This news follows rising fears of a similar ban in the UK after comments made by European health commissioner David Byrne, who last month reiterated that he was looking to enforce a ban on smoking in public places across Europe.
Nick Bish, chairman of the Charter Group, said: "I think the research results demonstrate the real need for licensees in Ireland, or anywhere that is engaged in the smoking debate, to be really fearful of a ban."
The Charter Group promotes self-regulation on smoking through the use of signage, good ventilation and no-smoking areas where possible.
The Vintners Federation of Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation and the Licensed Vintners Association commissioned the research to get evidence of the impact of a total smoking ban, which will be introduced in Ireland on January 1.
The research was undertaken by an independent New York research company International Communications Research and was based on a survey of 300 bars, cocktail lounges and hotels in the city.
It showed that two-thirds of all establishments reported a decline in the number of customers since the ban was introduced. Establishments reported an average decline of 17 per cent in the number of waiters and waitresses they employed while there was an 11 per cent drop in the number of bartenders.
The three Irish associations released a joint statement: "The findings of this research provides concrete proof of the negative impact that the smoking ban has had on the hospitality sector in New York. Until now we have been listening to anecdotal evidence from health and City experts talking about business booming. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"Independent research continually shows the Irish public don't want this ban and Irish bar workers don't want this ban. Compromise is the way forward."