Scottish pubs complain of smoking ban effect
Scottish pubs say they have had to lay off staff because the smoking ban means fewer customers are visiting, according to a report.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) quizzed 530 pubs ahead of the first anniversary of the Scottish ban, which came into force on 26 March last year.
The survey found that sales of drinks were down by 11% and food sales had fallen by 3%. More than half of the licensees polled said fewer regulars were now visiting their pubs, the BBC reported.
The Welsh smoking ban comes into force on 2 April, Northern Ireland bans smoking in enclosed public places on 30 April, and the English ban takes effect from 1 July.
