Exclusive research: more pubs backing the ban
Three out of four licensees say they would not overturn the smoking ban even if they could, according to research carried out for The Publican and Britvic.
Seventy-three per cent of respondents to the survey said that in spite of the fact that anti-ban campaigners claim to be speaking for the vast majority of the trade they would not like to see the ban rescinded.
Moreover, a growing number are finding the opportunities in the legislation, with more licensees now viewing the ban as a positive (28 per cent) than as a negative (26 per cent).
The results of the CGA Strategy survey, which saw 500 licensees in England and Wales questioned earlier this month, suggest the mood of licensees is changing.
As English and Welsh licensees face up to their first smoke-free winter, a growing number of publicans are now embracing the ban.
Other findings include:
* More than half of licensees (51 per cent) say they have heard mainly positive feedback from customers since the ban, with fewer than one in four (22 per cent) hearing negative feedback
* The vast majority of licensees (78 per cent) deplore the actions of smoke ban rebels who continue to allow smoking in their pubs
* One in four (25 per cent) claims to be seeing new regular customers since the ban came in.
Paul Linthwaite, business unit director, on-premise, Britvic Soft Drinks, said: "While the ban may have presented challenges in the short term, it's clear licensees are recognising the long-term benefits.
"With one in four outlets claiming to have attracted new customers, the clean, smoke-free environment has brought new and lapsed customers through the door. Additionally the research suggests that regular pub-goers are reacting well to the ban."
