'Third of pubs' axed staff after smoking ban » Communities » 24dash.com

A third of pubs laid off staff as a result of the smoking ban in Scotland, according to a survey of landlords published today.

The research from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) also claims that drink and food sales are still down.

With the first anniversary of the ban approaching, drink sales remain at 11% below pre-ban levels with food sales down 3%, the survey claims.

Many bosses are blaming a drop in how often people go to the pub, with 56% of licensees complaining of fewer visits by regulars, while 30% have seen fewer visits from new customers.

The survey also shows that 34% have had to shed staff, with only 3% taking on extra employees since the ban was introduced on March 26 last year.

Paul Waterson, SLTA chief executive, described the licensed trade as "collateral damage" in a war between the Scottish Executive and the tobacco industry.

"We were never properly and fairly consulted on the ban, and our warnings were ignored - now we have to live with the consequences of losing loyal workers and pubs being under threat," he said.

"What really concerned us is that national and local government have been so totally unhelpful.

"We were given the regulations on how to set up smoking facilities absurdly late, and now four in five of our members find their local authorities no help at all as they try to create covered outside areas to enable their businesses to survive."

The survey found that 42% of licensees claimed the ban led to them investing more in outdoor facilities, but 81% said their council had been unhelpful or a hindrance.

Mr Waterson added: "This whole sorry episode was completely avoidable but the Executive were so keen to jump on the Irish bandwagon that they didn't want to listen to any advice.

"Maybe this measure will be 'the largest single step to improve health for generations', as Jack McConnell claimed, but the deafening silence on tobacco sales and the number of people giving up suggests that the Executive hit us and not their intended target."

Smoking bans come into force on April 2 in Wales, April 30 in Northern Ireland and July 1 in England.

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