  |
Smoking-Ban as From October!
- But why should anyone be compensated?
|
by Leo Olivero
The Government has announced that it will be shortly introducing a bill for a ‘Smoke-free Environment Act’, leading to the actual substantive legislation that will become effective as from 1 October.
A command paper setting out the proposed provisions of the Smoke Free Environment Bill will also be published within a month.
The Government's press release also said that with just over six months between the announcement and the 1 October when this legislation is expected to take effect, the period would allow ‘establishments a lead-in period to accommodate the requirements of the law, including the provision of no smoking signs, etc.
It will coincide with a ‘reduction in rates to bars, restaurants and social clubs’ on a sliding scale, which will revert to the standard position over a period of three years’.
Here is where I take issue with, particularly regarding the reduction in rates to the commercial leisure sector - for any period of time!
I cannot understand or agree why the leisure sector should have to be compensated (as this is really what the reduction in rates is) to accommodate the introduction of this important piece of legislation, without first, substantiating what effect, if any, a smoking ban would have on these businesses?
Everyone has an opinion on the smoking ban, if you think that the rationale for smoke-free laws is to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke, I have problems in equating the many positive sides to this law, with the idea of financially subsidising bars and restaurants to actually get the law off the ground for the benefit of society.
JUMPING THE GUN
No one knows what effect, I say again - if any, the smoking ban will have on these businesses, this is like jumping the gun and predicting that the local leisure sector will lose out, what if they don’t lose any trade, and in fact business goes up, like it has been the case in many other places, where this smoking ban legislation has been introduced!
Let’s face it, the majority of people in Gibraltar and in most EU Countries support smoke-free public places, such as offices, restaurants and bars. Although in a recent survey (not in Gib) more non-smokers supported these measures than smokers, there was still a substantial percentage of smokers in favour.
For example, this European survey showed 83 per cent of non-smokers and 68 per cent of smokers support smoking restrictions in restaurants. The indication here, is that any ‘smoke-ban law’ will have a negative impact on the leisure sector because more people (including smokers) support a smoking ban in these establishments, than those… that don’t.
IMPLEMENT IT AHEAD!
In fact the local leisure sector would do well to look and study at what happens elsewhere when businesses in the UK for instance were faced with a similar situation a few years ago. I can say that the best indication of how businesses in England coped and acted came from those companies or businesses that ‘Implemented a Ban Ahead’ of the UK legislation. Among them is Mitchells & Butlers Pub Group (M&B) - who banned smoking at 200 of its pubs in England and Wales – they found that sales growth was affected by only less than 1% for the 16 weeks of the ban and later picked up.
It was an even better story at JD Wetherspoon another UK pub group giant who also pre-empted the UK smoking ban, when they banned smoking in all of their 650 nation wide pub chain. JD Wetherspoon also delivered record results as the UK smoking ban actually failed to dent profits. This was also followed by other similar chains when other rival pub company Punch Taverns said the ‘smoking ban had had little effect on trading’ and London brewer Fuller’s also said the same, suggesting the weather had been more damaging.
Another area that is profiting over in the UK (local sector would also do well to study) is the trend for increased food sales in pubs they have named ‘gastro-pubs’. It is an increase that is being seen throughout the pub sector with the eating out market expanding that has also seen the food’s share of pub revenue grow since the UK smoking ban was introduced. Food is now regarded as integral to any future success by many operators in the pub sector. Many see it as the obvious way to offset the loss in drinks sales after the smoking ban, as some pubs inevitably lost some of their hardened smokers who tended to be the most frequent and regular drinkers. I don’t think there is that problem locally, regarding everyday regular drinkers and smokers in bars and restaurants!
Everyone should be pleased with the Government's announcement regarding the introduction of the ‘smoke-free environment act’ announced to coincide with no-smoking day, this being the 29th year of this UK led anti-smoking campaign which supports people who want to quit.
Another important aspect also mentioned in the Government's press release is the fact that the Gibraltar Health Authority will be stepping up its anti-smoking campaign, including the launch of a series of locally produced TV advertisements.(Why has the Press been excluded?) The GHA will also be promoting its stop smoking service which now includes the newly implemented provision of nicotine replacement therapy.
I believe all anti-smoking campaigns are a vital weapon in the fight against tobacco abuse; although it should also form part of a wider programme in conjunction with the ‘strategy to combat the serious local drug problem’! Raising awareness active campaigning at all levels to prevent and reduce tobacco use is crucial. The loss of lives from tobacco use is staggering and entirely avoidable. I know there is a high level of support among the public for this legislation. How could there not be! But why compensate the leisure sector even without knowing what the effect will be?
15-03-12
|
|
|
|
