Camra predicts 7million will visit pubs more after ban

A new survey by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) predicts 7million people plan to spend more time in pubs after the ban.

Camra surveyed 1,500 people on their attitudes towards the ban and their results led them to predict that 6..2million non-smokers are planning to spend more time in pubs along with almost a million people who currently never go to pubs but say they will when the smoke clears.

This survey shows that non-smokers will be attracted to pubs after the ban comes into force, and many of them would like to find a real ale waiting for them when they get there​CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner

Other findings from the survey include:

93% of real ale drinkers surveyed said they would be more likely to visit pubs more often or that their visiting habits would not be changed by the ban

68% of regular smokers surveyed say it will not change their pub visiting habits at all.

69% of all adults surveyed said it would not affect their visits to pubs at all, only 3% said they would not visit pubs at all as a result of the ban.

CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner said: "This survey shows that non-smokers will be attracted to pubs after the ban comes into force, and many of them would like to find a real ale waiting for them when they get there.​

"The smoking ban will be a difficult transition for licensees, but it is encouraging that only 3% of people surveyed by CAMRA said they would not visit pubs at all as a result of the ban. The key will be to ensure that other factors such as quality of real ale, food, atmosphere and welcome are all superb. If this is the case then the traditional Community Pub will have a bright and healthy future."

The survey was carried out by CAMRA to mark Community Pubs Week which began on Saturday February 17th and will run until Saturday February 24th.