Figures released yesterday revealed that beer sales in Scottish pubs have fallen since the implementation of the smoking ban.
Beer sales in pubs fell by six per cent in Scotland last year, compared with four per cent in England, according to data from the market research analyst AC Nielsen.
Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: "Our figures and yesterday's results confirm that the smoking ban is badly hurting our business, no matter what the politicians say.
"We are finding that not only are regulars staying at home because they can smoke, but it is also extremely cheap for them to drink there as well."
Many Scottish pub owners claim that supermarkets have taken advantage of the ban to appeal to stay-at-home drinkers by slashing the prices of their beer.
Just before Christmas, the cost of lager fell to 11p per 100ml in some supermarkets, making it roughly the same price as bottled water.
The smoking ban is due to come into effect in English pubs on July 1st.
