High prices more detrimental to pubs than smoking ban: Survey

A new survey has reportedly found that the workplace smoking ban is causing a fall-off in pub business, but high prices are having a much more detrimental effect.

Reports this morning said the study by Millward Brown IMS found that 17% of adults were going to the pub less because of the smoking ban, but 28% were going less because of high prices.

The survey found similar attitudes to restaurants, with 9% of respondents saying they were eating out less because of the smoking ban and 22% saying they were being put off by high prices.

The research was published today to coincide with the first anniversary of the introduction of the smoking ban as a measure to protect workers from second-hand smoke.

Another survey commissioned by the Office of Tobacco Control has found that 98% of people believe workplaces are healthier as a result of the ban.