Find out about the business benefits of the new smokefree legislation from 1 July 2007.
Smokefree workplaces and public places can benefit your business as well as improving public health.
The majority - three out of four people - do not smoke. Smoking in public places and at work can put off customers and lose you employees.
Healthy Workers and Customers
If you are giving your customers and your workforce what they want it is very likely to be good for business.
Going smokefree could create new customers and employees who were being put off because of your smoky environment.
A smoky atmosphere is the single biggest reason for avoiding a pub or bar, according to a survey published by the Department of Health in May 2007, which also showed a high level of support for smokefree legislation.
Good for Business
Going smokefree has a range of benefits:
Increased on the job productivity - the average smoker takes six ten-minute smoking breaks per day – that is five hours of work time per week
Improved working relationships and morale in a healthier environment
Reduced sickness and early retirements due to ill health
Reduced annual health-care costs and health insurance for smokers
Fulfillment of health and safety regulations and reduced risk of litigation
Reduced risk of fire damage and other accidents - smoking material that has not been properly put out causes a large number of fires in businesses
Reduced insurance premiums
Reduced maintenance and cleaning costs - smoke causes a lot of damage to furniture and surroundings.
Greater appeal to non-smoking customers - the majority of the population
Increased income - remember all those non-smokers with money to spend
Positive Results
Many pubs and restaurants in England that have already introduced voluntary smokefree policies report an increase in trade and profits.
A recent survey for The Times, published in October 2006, found that amongst English pubs that have already banned smoking:
profits have risen by an average of 50%
food sales have risen by 80% on average
Nine out of ten landlords reported that they were selling more food
nearly half of landlords said that drinks profits had increased by 37% on average, while a third said they had stayed the same
