Smoking ban

[EverClean]

11 months and counting since the smoking ban came into effect. Are ther any figures relating to how many peole have given up since/because of the smoking ban?

Can anyone help?

[Sasha13]

Could the downturn in trade be due to the credit crunch rather than the smoking ban? I smoke, and still go out now as much as I did before the ban came in... I'll be damned if the government is going to dictate how I spend my hard earned cash!!!!

[Ice.Maiden]

I'm not going to mention pub names or where, but not a million miles from where I live, the locals've got together to defy the ban. Nearly everyone who goes in is a smoker, so, the old boys in particular are allowed to carry on. Just one non-smoking female's complained, but the landlord says he'd rather lose her custom than that of all the rest. I don't smoke either, but if I ever go in and the air's insufferable, it's ME who goes outside - which I don't mind doing.

[EverClean]

I'm a firm believer in market forces.

If people want a no smoking pub then open one and see how it fares against places that allow smoking. The people will decide!

Thanks for all your comments. Looks like I'll have to wait for some meaningful statistics.

[Oneeyedvic]

The trouble is Everclean, is what about the person who works there - they are 'forced' to work in an environment that is not healthy.

You could say that they should get a job somewhere else then - but that is a similar argument to saying that people shouldn't need to follow health and safety on industrial sites - and if they don't feel secure then they should get a job elsewhere.

[EverClean]

To a degree Vic I see your point, but there is a choice involved at all levels. From the company, landlord, staff and punters.

Where do I choose to go?