Scotland has had the advantage of an early ban on smoking in leisure venues. So what has been the experience, halfway through the bleak midwinter outside Scotland's pubs?
After nearly a year of the ban, publicans in Scotland are admitting to have lost some 'wet sales' but the feeling is that it could have been far worse. At Belhaven, part of Greene King since 2005, pub sales were down 2.8% in 2006. Smaller pubs may have fared worse, especially if 'landlocked' (nowhere to build a smoking area) but the range of reactions to the smoking ban have been interesting:
- Smokers have responded in different ways: some have given up, some cut down (and welcomed the ban), others have stayed at home.
- Anecdotal evidence is that the bans can have a feel-good effect: less animosity towards smokers in the pub, smokers enjoying a chat outside, and of course yet another driver for selling food instead of alcohol.
There are plenty of companies lined up with suitable outdoor furnishing products e.g. www.indigoawnings.co.uk, www.parasolar.com) and the patio lifestyle is part of the outdoor megatrend, anyway.
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