A ban on smoking in pubs (and nightclubs, restaurants and other places where food is served) has been introduced throughout the UK in 2007.

A ban already exists in Scotland where it was introduced in March 2006, following a similar ban in Ireland two years earlier. In the US, fourteen states have enacted comprehensive indoor smoking bans, for places which include bars and restaurants. Florida bans smoking indoors except at bars where 90 percent of revenue comes from alcohol sales. Many US cities have also introduced some form of smoking ban.

Those involved in the pub sector – whether as suppliers or as operators – have a vested interest in understanding the impact of such a ban on the sector which will have sales of food and associated drinks of £7.8 billion in 2008.

Note: "Associated drinks" include only those drinks that are consumed with food.

Source: Horizons

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