The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) claims that 800 pubs have gone out of business since the smoking ban was introduced in 2006 and argues Scotland has the toughest anti smoking legislation in Europe.
Scots publicans will meet today with landlords from countries where smoking in bars is still allowed.
Legislation is in place in some countries to protect staff and non-smoking customers from second-hand smoke.
Publicans will hear from bar owners from the Netherlands, Croatia and Hungary, where laws are in place that allows smoking but prevents involuntary exposure to smoke by staff and customers.
The SLTA’s Paul Waterson said they did not want to overturn the smoking ban, but wanted it changed to allow choice for drinkers and flexibility for pub owners.
He said: “We have invited operators from countries where there [are] more flexible law[s] on smoking.
“We think that after five years it is appropriate to revisit the smoking ban and see if there a solution that is sympathetic to both sides. » | Stewart Paterson | Tuesday, May 24, 2011
