Two million adults going to pubs less after smoking ban

Source/Contact: Caterer Search, 01/02/2007

Two million adults are going out to pubs and bars less as a result of the smoking ban, according to new research.  The survey of 2,098 adults warned that the “drinking man’s pub” was under threat with 16% of those surveyed admitting to going out less due to the smoking ban.  Mintel says the sample equates to two million of the adult population shunning their local boozer to smoke at home.  Consumer analyst firm Mintel found one in three (33%) regular smokers now smoke less when they are out, while 22% felt the ban had disrupted their socialising.  Those that are being worst hit are bingo halls and the smaller independent, more traditional pubs because their customers are amongst those who are most likely to smoke.