Smoking ban has positive side

Speaking as a non-smoker, I really dislike bars and pubs - because I come out smelling like crap, and I can't try some whiskies, because the smoke will interfere with my tasting.

And despite the whining of smokers and tobacco producers, the various bans on smoking have had little impact on sales. As a matter of fact, in Scotland pub owners report that sales are soaring - not in spite of the smoking ban, but because of it.

From the Scotsman
Pub sales soaring despite ban on smoking

Publicans across the country said sales of food and drink had risen significantly since the ban came into force two weeks ago.

One bar in Edinburgh reported a 25 per cent boost last weekend as drinkers were attracted by smoke-free rooms.

Colin Cameron, chairman of the Aberdeen Excise Licence Holders Association, admitted fears of thousands of job losses in Scotland were unfounded.

Mr Cameron, who owns three pubs in the city, said: "To some extent I would admit that I was wrong. I did feel it would have a significant impact."

Some key quotes:

Mike Dignan, Dows Bar, Inverness:

Our sales have gone up by 5 to 10 per cent. The food side of things is really taking off, but this is also helping our drinks sales, as people stay in the bars for longer.

Richard Thomas, All Bar One, Glasgow:

Food sales have definitely gone up and alcohol sales have been constant. People prefer to eat in a non-smoking atmosphere.

Jeff Falls, The Blind Beggar:

Sales last weekend actually increased by 25 per cent. Supplies of Guinness ran out on Wednesday night.

People who might have avoided pubs because of the smoky atmosphere are coming in. Smokers are drinking a bit faster - they are not pacing themselves with cigarettes. Our food sales have definitely gone up.

David Agnew, the Horseshoe Bar, Glasgow:

Our figures are up on this time last year. That could be partly due to the ban. We haven't had any negative impact, apart from the fact that door staff are suffering from passive smoking due to people hanging round outside.

If you are a smoker, sorry, but I dislike your habit. But since I live in Virginia, I'm not holding my breath for a ban of smoking here. So I hold my breath when in a bar.

Comments

[David]

One passed in Delaware a few years back, and is widely loved. I think it will be near nationwide in the next decade. And I'm with you, I don't care what you do but if it affects my ability to breathe then you need to go away.

[Rick]

The ban here in CA has definitely made me more likely to order food in a bar and put me in much more awe of smokers.

It's amazing what smokers will endure for the privilege of sucking on a stick that brings them 6 minutes closer to killing themselves. In Tahoe I watched people stick it out in a blizzard, in SF I saw them stand in the rain, and in Palm Springs I laughed as they went outside in 120 degree weather. All for a mere $4 a pack.

[Matt]

Amazing! I lived through the ban in NY and Mass and the same thing happened, after all the bellyaching, sales went up!

Here in KY the fools ignored the proof and passed a ban only in restaurants, not bars.

Nothing worse than ignorance.

[brt]

>>can't try some whiskies, because the smoke will interfere with my tasting.

Damn right!

i have sympathies :(

[Kevin]

Here in Ohio, we passed a wide-ranging ban on smoking in ALL public places, including bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, etc.. Smokers and some business owners are whining that it'll hurt business, etc. I guess people don't bother to do the research to see that business INCREASES at those places because more prople will come to them!!