Almost one year after the smoking ban took effect in Scotland, pubs are under threat, according to a survey conducted by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA).
The report surveyed 350 SLTA members which included Scottish hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, but over half of respondents were pubs.
The survey suggested that drink sales were down 11 per cent compared to before the ban, while food sales were down 3 per cent.
A third of all pubs in Scotland said they had had to lay off staff, while 56 per cent had noticed fewer visits from regulars.
Paul Waterson, SLTA chief executive, said: "Our businesses were hit although we were innocent bystanders
"We were never properly and fairly consulted on the ban, and our warnings were ignored – now we have to live with the consequences of losing loyal workers and pubs being under threat."
He added: "The deafening silence on tobacco sales and the number of people giving up suggests that the executive hit us and not their intended target."
There could potentially be similar effects when the smoking ban comes into effect on 2nd April for Wales, 30th April for Northern Ireland and on 1st July in England.
