Non-Smoking Pubs, ...loose money

[Major Grudge]

Yes, it's true. A pub near me went all non smoking.....and lost £1,500 in the first week, and £1,975 in the second.

Regulars, those who where non-smokers , had stopped visiting the pub because the character had gone out of it.

Across England a few other pubs have reported the same problem. Now can we imagine, please, if places like Blackpool suddenly stopped people smoking in night clubs? Imagine how the tourist industry would collapse?

This non-smoking idea came from a bunch of narrow minded people who only wanted things done for themselves, without looking at the monatary concerns that would be faced.

Ok, just to reverse the argument and go to America where this situation works quite well, and so it should, there's room for bars for different tastes including non-smoking and smoking pubs, restaurants (which by the way I do not mind)..and there's the money and space to do it.

I'd like to hear from both sides on this, hopefully with a solution, because despite being a smoker myself, I agree that, for non-smokers there should be a place for them to go and relax without having some chain smoking drunk blowing smoke everywhere, but should it be at the expense of businesses?

[Zinzey16]

While I'm not from the UK and don't neccessarily understand your currency, I understand the issue at hand. The city I live in went non-smoking a few years back in EVERY bar and restaurant in the entire city and numerous business have suffered tremendously because of it.

Not only have they lost a ton of $$$ due to loss of customers, but they've also had to put a ton of extra $$$ into building larger patios, etc, to accomodate their smoking customers.

I'm a smoker (yes, I know, terrible habit) and at first I hated this new by-law, but I've gotten used to it now.

[Kirsty]

Well as another smoker, my debate will probably be a little one sided.

I hate the idea of pubs going non-smoking and cant see myself going. It will not stop people from smoking, and I dont think non smokers really care that much.
What this idea is doing is segragating (sp?) people, something the world was trying to move away from.

I the worst comes to the worst, they should at least have sections for smokers, and not exclude them completely.
Although again this is seperating people.

Yes smoking is a dangerous habit, but generally most customers in a pub are smokers, and if not alcohol does as much damage to your system.

I dont mind if smoking is cut out of resteraunts, as I can understand people not wanting smoke while they are eating

[Major Grudge]

Do you think that it's all down to insane lobbiests though? I mean, very little thought has gone into how to deal with the situation.

[Kirsty]

I believe its down to the people who basically want smoking to be banned completely and out of the shops. They know the goverment will never do this with the money they make on them (£5.20 for 20 ciggies!!!)
This is a desperate attempt on them to put pressure on the government, to do something about the 'problem'

There was no general public outcry about smoking until this came along, people where happy enough.

[Zinzey16]

The government will never ban smoking because they make WAY too much money off of it. I don't agree with all the limits and restrictions being placed on smokers, because last time I checked, smoking was still a right that people had.