Nine out of ten executives in the hospitality industry support the government’s proposed smoking ban, according to TRI Hospitality Consulting.

Active smoking

Asked whether the hospitality industry should throw its weight behind the public health white paper, which also aims to curb obesity and alcohol abuse, 90.4% agreed. Only 7.4% opposed the plans.

Jonathan Langston, managing director of TRI Hospitality Consulting, said: “There is clear support within the industry for action on passive smoking...despite the strong opposition from lobby groups representing some parts of the wider hospitality sector.”

But more than half (54.7%) thought the proposed smoking legislation did not go far enough to protect hospitality workers and 64.3% believed the UK government should impose a total ban.

Meanwhile, 30% feared new regulations would mean extra costs and 33.3% anticipated a fall in trade as a result of tighter smoking laws.

Langston said he believed the figures proved the industry was overwhelmingly in favour of a ban.

“Perhaps surprisingly, there is more concern that the legislation does not go far enough rather than about the cost,” he said.

by Tom Bill

Buy this week's Caterer magazine for more industry news and analysis