Publicans in Scotland are demanding millions of pounds in compensation after their trade association published figures yesterday suggesting that alcohol sales in pubs, hotels and restaurants had dropped by 11 per cent since the smoking ban…According to the survey, nearly half of all pubs, restaurants and hotels said that they had suffered a decline in alcohol sales since the smoking ban; only 12 per cent said that alcohol sales were up. Among those reporting an effect on alcohol sales, there was an average drop in trade of nearly 11 per cent. The association said that it was particularly surprised by a drop in food takings, with just 18 per cent saying that food sales were up, compared with 21 per cent who reported a fall. However, by far the biggest effect was on regular customers, many of whom are refusing to give up smoking and are staying at home instead. Forty-six per cent of licensees said that they were seeing fewer visits from regulars, while only 5 per cent reported an increase.
Interesting, that, and not good news for pubs in England. Blair’s ban (supported by a surprising number of ‘Conservatives’) comes in force there next year.
The Times also reports that one Andy Kerr, the Scottish Executive’s Health Minister, claims not to have “met a single person who wants to turn the clock back and reintroduce smoking in restaurants and pubs.”
I don’t think that Tim Worstall believes him: “Well Andy, obviously you have a restricted social circle. You really mean that out of all the people you have met there is not just one who advocates the return of smoking? Or is this, how to put this politely, an exaggeration for political purposes?”
That’s being very polite, Tim, very polite indeed.
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