Allow smoking rooms in Scotland's pubs and clubs, say campaigners

Thu 24th March, 2016

The next Scottish Government should review the smoking ban and allow designated smoking rooms in pubs and private members' clubs, say campaigners.

In a statement marking the tenth anniversary of the smoking ban in Scotland, Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said:

"Over 1200 pubs have closed since the smoking ban was introduced. Inner city and community pubs have suffered most, along with working men's clubs.

"Thousands of jobs have been lost and countless social lives have been ruined on the altar of tobacco control.

"With a small amendment that would allow designated smoking rooms in pubs and clubs, landlords could accommodate smokers without inconveniencing non-smokers."

According to a poll conducted by Populus for Forest last week, over half of adults living in Scotland think pubs and private members’ clubs, including working men’s clubs, should be allowed to provide a well-ventilated designated smoking room to accommodate smokers.

The survey of more than 1,000 adults found that 54 per cent of the public would allow smoking rooms, with two fifths (40 per cent) opposed to the idea.

Almost half (49 per cent) of non-smokers said there should be an option for indoor smoking rooms.

Women (54 per cent) were equally as likely as men (55 per cent) to think pubs and clubs should be allowed to accommodate smokers in a designated smoking room.

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