One in four English hospitality businesses believe they are still not ready for the looming smoking ban, which is implemented on 1 July, according to the latest survey from purchasing group Beacon.

The poll found that 61% of hospitality businesses in England and Wales (where the ban has been in place since 2 April) have introduced all the necessary alterations to their premises ahead of their respective deadlines.

John Vinuesa, director at Beacon, said: “It seems that hospitality businesses in England and Wales feel pretty comfortable with the ban, in terms of preparations and the effect it will have.

“Perhaps this can be attributed to Scotland being the first UK country to practice the ban, therefore paving the way for following countries,” he added. 

Despite not being ready the vast majority of hospitality businesses believe that the smoking ban is a good idea with only 12% of establishments not in favour of the legislation.

The Department of Health has stepped up its awareness activity over the past week with the introduction on Monday of a national TV advertising campaign after they conducted a survey which found that 45% of the population did not know when the smoking ban was going to begin.

Smoking Ban: Will you be ready for 1 July? >>

Pubs 'n' Bars claims smoking ban will be bad for business >>

Beacon website >>

By Christopher Walton 

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