'Support Scotland's smoke-free pubs'

March 28, 2006: CAMRA, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) have joined forces in a campaign to get Scottish pub-goers to behind their local in the difficult transition to a complete smoking ban.

The three organisations have chosen to speak with one voice to promote pubs as being "at the heart of thousands of communities all across Scotland".

CAMRA national executive member Colin Valentine said: "CAMRA, the SBPA and SLTA want to let people know now is the ideal opportunity for those non-smokers who have stopped going to the pub to reacquaint themselves with that great British institution.

"With new small breweries opening all the time, we now have the chance to properly savour the unadulterated taste of a nation's ales in a smoke-free atmosphere.”

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the SBPA, added: "The introduction of the smoking ban in Scotland is arguably the biggest challenge that Scotland's pub industry has ever faced. At this critical time it's important that the Scottish public generally, as well as the million Scots that visit a pub every week, recognise that their local pub is one of their local community's assets and one that they should be supporting.

“Publicans in Scotland will be doing everything they can to make their customers' visits even more welcoming and we would ask for the support of the pub-going public in making sure that the pub remains at the heart of thousands of communities all across Scotland."

And Paul Waterston, of the SLTA, said: “There can be no doubt most publicans face a testing time thanks to the ban, but as always our business is ready to change and adapt.

“We will work even harder to make sure our licensed premises continue to be the hub of Scotland’s social life, providing our customers with a warm welcome and excellent products served in great surroundings. Choice, variety and value will remain the hallmarks of the Scottish licensed trade.”