Do smoky pubs deter customers?

The pub chain JD Wetherspoon will ban smoking in its pubs by May 2006 because of fears that smoky pubs are deterring customers.

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said government restrictions on smoking in bars in England and Wales that serve food planned for 2008, did not go far enough.

He said that the decision to ban smoking in their outlets made good commercial sense.

Are you put off by the smoke in pubs? Do you think smoke-free pubs will increase numbers of customers? Do the government proposals go far enough? Send us your views using the form.

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we received:

Good on you Wetherspoons and your profits deserve to rise Colin, London

As an asthma sufferer, I find that I cannot visit the majority of pubs at the weekend, as the volume of smoke is not only unpleasant, but dangerous. Non-smoking areas don't really work, because the smoke wafts into them and smokers will happily walk through with cigarettes in their hands, on the way to the loos etc. So good on you Wetherspoons and your profits deserve to rise because of this courageous step!
Colin, London, England

I choose a pub for the beer and the people in it (staff and friends). I've been a non-smoker all my life and, while I can smell the smoke from clothes the following day, smoke in pubs has never bothered me and I don't have a problem with it. Non-smoking pubs with a poor choice of beer would be low on my list.
Brian, Edinburgh

I'm delighted by these plans by the JD Wetherspoon chain. Whilst I respect the fact that smokers have a right to smoke, it does seem to me that those of us that don't have a right to clean air. I've rarely gone to pubs because I can't stand coming home stinking of smoke, and if they were non-smoking I would be far more likely to go.
Steve, Watford, UK

I smoke, my husband doesn't. I'm quite used to smoking outside so as not to inflict my habit on him. I'd welcome not coming home stinking of cigarettes from the pub and I don't wish to inflict smoke on non smoking bar staff. It is not a problem nipping outside to have a smoke as long as adequate bins are provided.
Louisa, Seaford, UK

Banning it is draconian and unfair John, Leeds, UK

I agree that not enough has been done in the past to accommodate non-smokers in pubs and restaurants, but now things seem to be going to the opposite extreme. Surely the common-sense approach would be to have a smoking section (with good air-filtration systems) in pubs where a sizeable proportion of customers want to smoke? Smoking is, after all, a feature of the "pub experience". Banning it is draconian and unfair. The argument about employees' health is spurious too; only an idiot would work in a pub if they objected its smoky atmosphere.
John, Leeds, UK

I'd go for a "smoke-free" pub over a smoky place every time. I find it abhorrent that people feels it's OK so subject me to the disgusting waste product of their dirty habit.
Paul Sealey, Cannock, England

I applaud JD Wetherspoon for their statement. I hate going to pubs and leaving smelling like a smoker. The smokers will moan initially but they'll get over it, even if they have to take their anti-social habit out side of the pub doors.
Steve, Bristol, England

I come from a country where almost every public building or small business is filled with smoke. You can't go out any night without coming back with your hair and clothes stinking of cigarette smell. One of the good things I found in England is how strictly smokers respect non-smoking spaces, and yes, pubs where most people do smoke make me look for a better place to spend a couple of hours with friends. I am completely for the banning of smoking in public places!
Lucia, Spaniard in Cambridge, UK

Another gutsy move that will hopefully have the rest following in their footsteps Stephen, Cardiff

The only reason I go to these smoky pubs is because some of my friends smoke. This Saturday night it was so smoky my eyes began to sting and water so I had to leave to get some fresh air. Well done Wetherspoons, yet another gutsy move that will hopefully have the rest following in their footsteps.
Stephen, Cardiff

The pub I used to frequent went is called a 'clean air' pub with one these fancy extractors. On a busy night, clouds of smoke used waft around meaning that I'd no choice but to inhale second hand smoke. After a while my eyes tended to start burning and I'd end up smelling awful. Sorry but that not my idea of a relaxing night so I stopped going state of the art extraction unit or not. So good on Wetherspoons, I and many friends will be returning to our local Wetherspoons soon.
John Bright, Cardiff

I am a smoker and I live in London and I think that the sooner the government bans smoking in all public places the better it will be for everyone.
Richard S, London

I'm glad one pub is taking the lead. I know where I'll want to go for a night out come May.
Francisco, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

I think that the decision on whether to ban smoking in a pub should be made by the owner, should be well sign posted, and laws should be put in place to levy large fines not only on those who smoke where it is banned, but also on non-smokers who complain where it is allowed.
Iain, Rochdale, UK

I look forward to my first smoke free night out with anticipation Ellie, Newcastle upon Tyne

Smoky pubs are impossible for me to enjoy myself in; it's as simple as that. There have been so many nights that have had to be cut short because my eyes are streaming, my lungs are aching and I smell revolting because of smokers lighting up all around me. Even when I'm in a non smoking area it still affects me, as unfortunately the smoke doesn't appear to have learnt how to read all the signs (and neither do some of the smokers, although that's another matter). I like Wetherspoons as it is, and I am over the moon to see that Newcastle is going to be one of the pilot non smoking sites. I look forward to my first smoke free night out with anticipation.
Ellie, Newcastle upon Tyne

Brilliant! Now we have a choice of smoking and non-smoking pubs. This has to be better than the Labour Party making our decisions for us!
Alfie Noakes, North of England, UK

So who is going to clean up the piles of cig ends on the pavement outside these establishments?
Ian C, Bham, UK

I am a non-smoker who finds smoky pubs almost unbearable and therefore doesn't go to the pub often. Once my local Wetherspoon becomes non-smoking, they will be getting my custom on a regular basis.
Lara, UK

Let non-smokers have their wine bars and eateries, but please, spare the traditional pub Jack, Leeds, UK

The idea that the day could come when you couldn't go to a traditional pub for a pint and a cigarette is awful - for many people, the two go together. Let non-smokers have their wine bars and eateries, but please, spare the traditional pub from the killjoy health lobby!
Jack, Leeds, UK

Fair play to Wetherspoon. It's not just about being put off by smoke; the non-smoking part is usually a "family area". Granted, children need to have a designated spot, but as a non smoker, I resent having to choose between passive smoking or sitting near screaming kids with incompetent parents!
Sally Sargeant, Nottingham, UK

I fail to see how a making a pub non-smoking could be anything but good for business with the amount of anti-smoking hysteria around at the moment. Wetherspoon clearly know what they are doing, just look at their huge recent growth. Hopefully now the big boys have started to enforce voluntary smoking bans, it will pave the way for smaller/independent pubs to follow.
Danny Rathbone, York, UK

This is truly a breath of fresh air. 1) I don't want lung cancer as a result of someone else's selfishness. 2) I don't want to be reeking of stale tobacco just because I've had a couple of drinks with my mates. 3) I don't want some tiddly bimbo burning holes in my new Ben Sherman (it's happened too many times to be funny).
Stuart King, London, UK

I'd go clubbing here too more often if only I didn't come away smelling of an ashtray David, UK

I just spent a wonderful holiday in Italy where they'd banned smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants. There were no shortage of punters and smokers went outside when they needed to. I'd go clubbing here too more often if only I didn't come away smelling of an ashtray due to the inconsiderate actions of a few.
David, UK

It puts some people off and not others. Why is it assumed that we all follow like sheep either one way or the other? Each of us makes a choice based on our preference and not the preference of some "higher authority". Personally I would not drink in a JD Wetherspoon pub if I was paid regardless of their smoking policy. I recently gave up smoking and have no problem with people smoking around me. Remember, we are all individuals and (most of us) have our own thoughts and opinions. Anyone remember choice?
Brian, Poole, UK

Yes - at least they do for me. I'm asthmatic and, even though I like a drink as much as the next person, I avoid smoky pubs as they are likely to cause me to have severe breathing problems. Forget the hangover from drinking; my worst fear is ending up in hospital from breathing other people's smoke!
Sue, Leighton Buzzard

Smoky pubs probably do deter customers, the question is will non smoking pubs deter more?
Peter Howe, Milton Keynes, England

A higher percentage of people are giving up smoking now Joe, London

Smoke free pubs and bars will increase the number of NON-smoking customers which will probably benefit JD Wetherspoon as a higher percentage of the people are giving up smoking now.
Joe, London

JD Wetherspoon opened a pub in our town a couple of years ago. I have been put off going in there by the visible smog. I'm looking forward to going in once the ban is in place.
JG, Cheshire, UK

Most pubs are packed on Friday nights, smokers and non smokers alike. So clearly the evidence says no.
Ed, London UK

At the moment, my local Wetherspoons has a non-smoking area, which works and seems to satisfy the vast majority of customers. Banning smoking in all areas of the pub will drive customers elsewhere. Wetherspoons may find that they attract more customers with this policy but I doubt that they will replace the ones that they lose - which will probably leave them struggling to keep their prices down.
Chris Cox, Perth, Scotland

All you need is one smoker in a group, and off they go to somewhere smoking is allowed Joseph, UK

Yes, of course smoky pubs deter customers. I smoke myself, but some pubs are just beyond a joke. There's no issue where adequate ventilation is in place. Mind you, I've been in a few Wetherspoons pubs and they're so big that I've never noticed a hint of smoke, so not sure what they're on about! Oh, and banning smoking ahead of a blanket ban will do them out of business too, since all you need is one smoker in a group, and off they go to somewhere smoking is allowed.
Joseph, UK

Making a pub smoke free is the only way to get ignorant smokers to behave, the "I smoke therefore all my non-smoking mates must join me in the smoking area" attitude needs to be stubbed out.
Michael Pearce, UK

I'd support a smoke free pub and look forward to not stinking of an ashtray after a drink with friends. Smoking is a harmful substance and for those who say they should have the freedom to smoke in pubs bear in mind that the powerful addictive effects of nicotine robs you of any freedom. Why not exercise real freedom and give up?
Al, South West, UK

I don't mind people smoking in pubs, provided that they drop £10 in a box on their way out to contribute to the costs of dry-cleaning the smoke-filled clothes of non-smokers.
Giles, London, England

JD Wetherspoon are demonstrating that the consumer can decide for themselves John B, UK

I avoid most pubs on Friday and Saturday night because the smoke hurts my eyes. I entirely support the right of smokers to poison themselves if they so choose but I'm not interested in breathing their toxins. I don't think it is for the government to decide whether smoking should be permitted in pubs - JD Wetherspoon are demonstrating that the consumer can decide for themselves whether to go to a smoky pub or a smoke-free pub. My local Wetherspoons just gained a regular customer.
John B, UK

Of course I'm put off. I choose to go to pubs to drink, which only affects me. I have to inhale others smoke, which is passive smoking, which can lead to smoking related illnesses. If my clothes stink when I get in, what must my lungs have gone through? When smoking is banned in public places, which it will do shortly, you'll get more people go to pubs in my opinion for a drink. I'm not against outlawing smoking, but people should indulge in their own homes or designated areas. The government couldn't afford to totally ban smoking as the revenue generated is colossal and our income tax would have to increase if smoking was completely banned.
Ben, Kintbury, Berks