Smoking ban hurting Scotland's pubs, industry group says

AFP, August, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — Pubs in Scotland risk going out of business due to a smoking ban that has led to a 10 percent drop in drinks sales, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has said.

Forty-six percent of licensees reported a drop in visits to their pubs by regulars since the ban -- adopted by Scotland's semi-autonomous government, and seen as a prelude to a smoking ban in England -- went into effect on March 26.

Fifty-one percent said that those regulars who were still coming, were spending less on food and drink, according to the findings that were disputed by the Scottish authorities.

"This ban will put some hard-working licensees out of business and many bar staff out of jobs," SLTA chief executive Paul Waterson, whose group represents pub bosses,...