SMOKING ZONE
HOW CAN I BE SURE MY SMOKING ZONE COMPLIES WITH THE LAW?
IF YOU ARE UNSURE IF YOUR PROPOSED OUTDOOR SMOKING AREA COMPLIES WITH THE LAW, SEEK LOCAL PLANNING ADVICEIN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND IF STILL IN DOUBT SEEK LEGAL ADVICE.HUNDREDS OF OUTDOOR SMOKING ZONES HAVE ALREADY BEEN SUCCESSFULLY INSTALLED WHERE SMOKING BANS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.
WHO WILL ENFORCE THE LAW?
AUTHORISED OFFICERS OF LOCAL BODIES, MOST PROBABLY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS, WILL FILL THIS ROLE.
BUSINESS IMPACT
EXPERIENCE IN IRELAND, SCOTLAND AND OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE SMOKING BANS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT IN SHOW THAT HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES THAT PROPERLY PREPARE FOR THE CHANGES SUFFER LITTLE OR NO REDUCTION IN OVERALL PROFITABILITY. SOME HAVE EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL GAINS.
PUBS AND BARS THAT HAVE DONE WELL UNDER THE NEW LAWS HAVE PREPARED BY INVESTING IN ATTRACTIVE, WELL LIT AND HEATED OUTDOOR SMOKING ZONES.
THE SMOKING ZONES HAVE OFTEN INCREASED THE TOTAL USABLE CUSTOMER AREA OF THE PREMISES AND HAVE GIVEN ADDED FLEXIBILITY TO DEAL WITH SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
ONE MAJOR PUB GROUP, MITCHELL AND BUTLER, REPORTED IN SEPTEMBER THAT SALES IN SCOTLAND HAVE INCREASED 2.6% SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SMOKING BAN IN MARCH. DRINK SALES FELL 1%, WHILE FOOD SALES INCREASED 11%
