UK pub group backs smoking ban despite Scots sales fall

Pubs group JD Wetherspoon continued to support plans for a UK-wide smoking ban today – despite seeing profits at its fume-free Scottish pubs fall 11%.

The chain, which already has smoking bans in place at 14% of its 657 pubs, said it expected an impact from next year’s regulations but added it was sure the long-term benefits would outweigh any short-term difficulties.