Scottish trade "pessimistic" about future of smoking ban
26 September, 2006
SLTA chief concerned about noise and litter outside premises
A Scottish trade chief has told The Publican he is “pessimistic” about how the country’s smoking ban will unfold over the next six months.
Speaking on the six-month anniversary of the ban, Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), said he had serious concerns for the pub trade over the winter months.
“The next six months will be the test, when we will see exactly what the ban means,” he said. “We are pessimistic about how it will be patrolled by the authorities. A lot of evidence suggests there is already a problem with noise and litter, but a lot of pubs have no choice but to have people standing outside on the pavement.”
Mr Waterson said the first six months of the ban had been “relatively easily” for publicans due to the World Cup and the summer months.
Despite this the SLTA claims that trade was still down 11 per cent in pubs, while food sales were down three per cent.
On the issue of compliance, Mr Waterson said that pubs had been “excellent”. He added: “I have no evidence of any pubs being fined for breaching the smoking ban.”