What effect is the smoking ban having on businesses in Scotland ?

Question

I read that the Irish ban had led to the closure of 1,000 bars - how is Scotland being affected ?

Answer 1

the impact of the ban in scotland has been mostly positive.

i have noticed little difference in the business of city centre bars.

some smaller bars catering for local communities, in suburbs etc., have closed due to their clientele being predominantly elderly, lower class / poor people who have been heavy smokers. we're talking about very very few bars though.

most bars have provided outside smoking areas, beer gardens, covered areas with heaters, etc., which seem to have done the trick to allow people to have quick ciggie.

other businesses such as bingo halls, etc., again with a predominantly elderly or lower class clientele, have suffered more ... mostly because the smokers used to go to the bar and buy drink, or go and play the slot machines, during the break between games - whereas now they pop outside to have a cigarette.

it's not that people are stopping going to places because of the smoking ban, it's simply that the profile of customer behaviour is changing in some places.

to summarise - the majority of bars have been OK, with non-smokers and smokers alike appreciating the smoke free atmosphere, and not having smelly clothes/hair when they get home ... but places like bingo halls have taken a hit.

it's interesting to me to hear a lot of english people up in arms about the imminent ban in england, when it's gone virtually without a hitch in scotland. people's health is far more important than someone's "human right" to smoke ... i.e. if you choose to smoke do it in private, if you do it in public that removes my right not to smoke.