Public split over smoking rooms in pubs

A poll of 2,000 adults revealed 48% would accept smoking rooms in pubs and clubs, 42% were opposed to the idea while 9% said they didn’t know.

A majority of men were in favour of allowing smoking rooms (54% v 38%). Among women the figure was 43% in favour and 46% against. 

The poll follows the new report published by Forest that revealed there are 11,383 fewer pubs in England compared to 2006, a decline of 20.7% since the smoking ban was introduced on 1 July 2007. 

London alone has 2,034 fewer pubs than in 2006, the north-west had lost 1,788, Yorkshire is down by 1,589 and the south-east has a net loss of 1,013. The biggest decline in pub numbers has been in the Midlands where there are 2,560 fewer pubs than before the smoking ban, a drop of 23.7%.

Forest admitted that the fall in the number of pubs is part of a long-term trend and is not solely due to the smoking ban.

"It's a fallacy to suggest the smoking ban is immensely popular. Polls have consistently found significant support for smoking rooms in pubs and clubs. The impact of the smoking ban on pubs has been devastating. There's no question it's been a significant factor in the continued demise of the British pub,” said Simon Clark, director of Forest.  

"The 10th anniversary of the smoking ban is nothing to celebrate. It's a terrible indictment of successive governments and their refusal to compromise or engage with ordinary people."

Forest called for the Government to review the impact of the smoking ban had on pubs and to consider the alternatives 10 year after the ban.