ASH and trade group in row over impact of smoking ban
TRADE and pressure groups have clashed over the impact of the smoking ban on Scottish business.
Maureen Moore, chief executive of ASH Scotland, said: "The smoking ban has worked for Scotland; our health is improving as a result - and all without the social and economic meltdown our opponents predicted."
Moore acknowledged that it was too early to produce definite results, but added: "All the indicators point to the measure being a great success.
"It would also appear that many pubs and licensed venues in Scotland have seen new customers."
ASH Scotland cited the relatively upbeat comments of businesses reporting trading figures since the ban, including Punch Taverns, Enterprise Inns and Mitchell & Butlers.
But the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) hit back yesterday, saying the anti-smoking pressure group was jumping the gun in its reaction to the impact of the smoking ban as other businesses have reported negative results.
JD Wetherspoon, a fast expanding pub chain in Scotland with nearly 40 outlets, said this month that the stronger performance of its Scottish pubs following the introduction of the ban had faded. The sites enjoyed a 3 per cent uplift initially, but a 0.3 per cent fall in the following 12 weeks. Meanwhile, Mecca Bingo has said its customers are spending noticeably less on slot machines between games and having smoking breaks instead.
An SLTA spokesman said: "It's still too early to say what's going on and yet ASH are coming out with these proclamations.
"We think it will take at least a year to be clear on the impact, especially until winter kicks in.
"There is still a lot of disquiet among our members. We maintain there will be more losers than winners. ASH are talking premature nonsense."
