Scottish licensees are suffering a dramatic 10% loss in trade following the introduction of the smoking ban last March, the most exhaustive survey so far has revealed.
A survey conducted for the International Epidemiological Association (IEA) revealed that sales had fallen by 10% and the number of customers visiting pubs fell by a thumping 14%. Data was collected at over 2,700 pubs - nearly 1,600 in Scotland and over 1,100 across the border in northern England, so that comparisons could be made with outlets without a no-smoking policy. Figures were collected before the ban's introduction on 26 March and again in May.
The report's authors said previous studies on the effect of smoking bans had principally been focused on the US hospitality sector. They noted: "These studies have mostly found no negative economic effects of such legislation on the hospitality sector in the long run. However, differences in the social use of public houses in Great Britain may lead to different findings.
"The short-term impact of the ban did not lead to more customers coming into pubs due to the smoke-free atmosphere, and presumably did not lead smokers to spend more money on drink or food instead of smoking."
Secretary of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) Colin Wilkinson said: "The survey backs up what we have said all along. Trade has been seriously affected. The study didn't even take in to account any winter months."
The SLTA will be conducting its own survey to coincide with the first anniversary of the ban, which will include figures for the winter months.
Last August, another SLTA survey revealed that wet sales were down by 11% and dry sales down by 3% during the first three months of the ban.
Wilkinson said that IEA survey findings were even worse than the SLTA's own prediction that trade would drop by between 7% and 8%.
Since the start of the ban, cigarette sales in Scotland have risen by 5%, suggesting that smoking has transferred from pubs to the home.