Do you think a pub which doesn't sell food and doesn't allow children in should allow smoking?

Answer 1

depending on the laws of that area

Answer 2

It's a total business decision on the part of the pub owner.
They have every right to allow/disallow any legal activity, and can refuse service to anyone. Unlike stated in many answers above, a pub is NOT a public place. It's a private place, private property, and licensed as such.

If a pub owner wants to make a specific section that only serves peg-legged midgets with Australian accents, they're perfectly within their rights to do so. If you find that offensive, then don't patronize that pub. Simple.

As a pub owner, you have to look at who you are trying to attract.
If your pub is next to a health club and all of your traffic is running around with water bottles and discussing the secrets of the latest trendy uses for herbs, then you could probably get away with a smoking ban and people would love it. You'd also probably sell a lot of chardonnay and Michelob Ultra there, too.

In my experience, most pub patrons either smoke or accept that the smoke is just part of the package at a pub.

What many places in my area do (and I think this works great) is to allow smoking in the pub, but install a good ventilation system. A good one (with more coverage than you would ordinarily need) that operates quietly is expensive, but totally worth it to your patrons. If you've ever been to Las Vegas you will know what I mean. You can sit right next to a smoker and not notice it.
Then make a small, detached room just for cigar patrons, decorating it almost like a drawing room.

That's the only way that everyone can be reasonably happy and you are still keeping your doors open to everyone. The minute you start restricting, you are literally turning away potential business and feeding your competitors.

Cheers.

Answer 3

From next year pubs' will not have a choice making the question somewhat academic!

I always smoke in pubs but, reluctantly, agree with the ban.
Even a dedicated smoking room would have to be serviced by the pub owner and/or his employees. I think people should be allowed to work without having to inhale the results om my dirty habit

Yes, I should give up, but after 40+ years it has become a very hard habit to drop - particularly with a pint at hand

We need to do more about other forms of air pollution. City streets are even more dangerous to ourselves and our children than a smokey pub!

Answer 4

The owner of the pub should decide if there's smoking allowed, not the government. Food and children should have nothing to do with it.

Answer 5

With the way things are going smoking is going to banned in every pub every where. I say no smoking and start serving food. Put a heated beer garden back so that the smokers can come to.

Answer 6

My answer would be, no. My reasons, well as a customer I might have the choice to go in for a few hours and not be dammage too much by the second hand smoke, but as an employyee that means I would be constantly inhaling second hand smoking and these days you can not be too picky about the place or job you can get. I personnaly don't understand why, the non smocking population should asssume the risks of cancer and other smoking related deseases. And really, why do you smoke there is nothing positive about it, it is dangerous to your health, expensive, it stinks and it looks stupid.

Answer 7

Absolutely. The government has no right to restrict a LEGAL action from your place of business. If you don't like smoke, go somewhere else. Please stop tell us what's best for us. I quit smoking some time ago, but out of principal I choose only to patronize establishments that allow smoking. I feel for those who live in an area where a select few have decided where you are allowed to participate in a LEGAL activity. If smoking is so bad, OUTLAW it completely. Wait, we don't want to upset big business.....let's pi$$ on the little guys.

Answer 8

I think the purpose of the smoking ban is not about ruining someones food experience as it is more that a non smoker patronizing that pub doesn't want the second hand smoke. Whether I agree or not is a different story.

Answer 9

I think it should have a smoking section at least. People eating & kids are the most likely to be offended by smoking, so if they are not there then why not!!
Personally I dont smoke so I always appreciate a non-smoking section in any pub, food or not!

Answer 10

No, absolutely not. It's so irresponsible for any establishment to allow smoking anywhere. It's now common knowledge that it is a deadly habit which not only has an effect on the stupid idiots who are still doing it but on those around them who have to breathe it in. I don't care if people enjoy it and want to do it - no public place should be condoning it anymore or promoting it as commonplace when we all know it's one of the biggest health hazards around.

Answer 11

No. All pubs should either be non smoking or have segregated areas for those who choose to. This will enable those who choose not to, to be able to.
Smoking is a social pariah and many non smokers I know have switched to pubs who voluntarily do not allow smoking.

Are you trying to do your market research on the cheap by any chance. How very pikey.