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Smoking ban supported by majority of licensees

Despite the majority of licensees losing cash because of the smoking ban, a poll has found that more and more are supporting the measure.

The 1,500 licensees quizzed by CGA Strategy were asked if they still supported the smoking ban. Sixty four per cent answered yes - an increase of 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. 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.”
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.”

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.”

Source: The Publican, 26th June 2008
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