BII survey says 35% of members will close their pubs if there is a total smoking ban
12-Jan-2006
BII, the professional body for the licensed retail sector, surveyed its members at the end of 2005 on how a total or partial smoking ban would affect their businesses.
John McNamara, BII Chief Executive said, “Our members, who responded to the survey, believed that a blanket ban would be disastrous – with 97% believing that it would cause them to lay off staff, and 35% leaving the industry. This is not surprising when 25% of licensees run, usually community and rural, pubs turning over under £120,000 a year – yielding an income of around £10,000. This makes them very vulnerable to any downturn in trade. As most of our members’ pubs have over half of their customers as smokers, a smoking ban would have a massive effect.
“A total ban may appear to be simple and clear from the Westminster perspective, but it would be disastrous for our members, their staff and the public. The smoking/food compromise proposed by the Secretary of State may be less clear-cut but it recognises far better the commercial realities. People don’t want smoke around them when they eat, but smokers are the commercial backbone of traditional community pubs.
“Any change will need to have a reasonable time plan to ensure that pubs can make suitable provisions to protect their businesses and to begin to alter their customers’ behaviour and attitudes.
“A common sense solution would be to ban smoking at the bar counter, and when and where food is served, provision of designated smoking areas with appropriate signage to advise customers. This provides choice for customers, reduces opportunities to smoke and protects the livelihoods of our members and their staff. “
Notes to Editors:
| Email |
melanie@bii.org |
| Contact |
Melanie Taylor, Communications Manager, 01276 417863/ 07795 394660 |
