Smoking ban supported by majority of licensees

Despite the majority of licensees losing cash because of the smoking ban, more and more are supporting the measure.

The 1,500 licensees quizzed by CGA Strategy on behalf of The Publican​ were asked if a year since it arrived in England they supported the ban. A total and 64 per cent answered yes - up seven per cent from the 57 per cent who said they supported the ban from the start.

Nearly half of those quizzed - 48 per cent - said they 'strongly' supported the ban.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, said he was not surprised by the level of support shown.

He said: "We saw the same thing in Ireland when after people got over the initial problems it was seen as the best thing that ever happened."

The survey also revealed that 65 per cent of licensees would not overturn the ban if they had the power to do so. The other 35 per cent said licensees should have the power to make the decision and that if they did they would allow smoking.

Paul Smith, executive director of Noctis which represents late-night operators, said: "There are plenty of people who saw the ban as an opportunity as well as those who saw it as a threat.

"Like most bans it was generally seen as unpopular at first but now it is here people are working with it."

But John Madden, executive officer of the Guild of Master Victuallers, said the result did not tally with his direct experience.

"I am surprised that the majority think the ban should stay. I think the majority accept that it is here and have to live with it but I think the people whose trade has suffered as a result are not in support and have lost between 10 to 25 per cent of business."

Andy Brooks, licensee of the Laughing Fish in Isfield, East Sussex said that the ban has benefited his business.

"Because we serve good quality food there is no question that people who would not come here before the ban are now considering the pub as a place to eat.

"The ban has most definitely had a positive impact and I think to go back would be a retrograde step."

And Chris Maclean, licensee of The Railway Hotel, in Faversham, Kent, added: "We have all had to do it and the reality is that it was not as damaging as first suggested. In fact the reality is that it is much nicer to run a pub without smoking."