UK becomes a smoke-free zone

On 1 July 2007 England follows Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in banning smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces.

The ban means the atmosphere where people drink, eat and work will change dramatically.

Smokers will still be able to light up at home and in outdoor spaces, yet evidence from other countries shows that smoking bans can encourage smokers to quit the habit.

Scotland and Northern Ireland, for example, have both reported significant falls in cigarette sales.

Pubs improve catering

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland many of the largest pub chains, including JD Wetherspoon, Mitchells & Butlers, Enterprise Inns, Maclay Inns and Punch Taverns, have already noticed profit increases thanks to more food sales.

Innovative landlords have embraced the ban.

Innovative landlords have embraced the ban by improving catering, encouraging families to visit, and, to keep the custom of those who still choose to smoke, have renovated their beer gardens and introduced al fresco dining facilities.

Many Wetherspoon pubs have anticipated the July ban, like the Pennsylvanian in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.

Manager Jo Dooley says, “We are doing very well at breakfast time with cereal, Lavazza coffee and Twinings tea.”

“We get a lot more ante-natal groups and families. Some of the diners who used to visit once a week are now coming in two or three times.”

Adopting healthy new habits

For the UK’s public houses it’s a massive cultural shift.

Tobacco first became popular in the UK in the mid-sixteenth century and soon, in taverns all over the land, you could barely see for the haze of pipe smoke.

The benefit to the UK in terms of increased productivity could be as much as £3 billion.

But now, four centuries later, as the air clears, a new style of family public house could become the norm.

Productivity gains anticipated

The impact on offices and factories will be noticeable, too.

According to the Government’s chief medical officer, the benefit to the UK in terms of increased productivity could be as much as £3 billion.

Official estimates are that a healthier workforce will generate £680 million by producing more goods, and employers will save £140 million on sick days, as well as £100 million by not having to clean up cigarette butts..

Clear air – clear profits

In New York, where the ban came into effect in 2003, restaurants and bars were soon employing 10,600 more workers and takings were up 8.7 per cent.

A 2006 survey for The Times found that English pubs enforcing an early ban had enjoyed an average profit increase of 50 per cent, and 80 per cent in food sales.