Smoking ban killing off the iconic Kiwi pub

The results of a WIN Party survey of more than six hundred bars nationwide conflict somewhat with health authority and anti smoking group claims the smoking ban in bars has had little negative effect upon trade and profitability.

The survey has revealed an overall five percent drop in profit in the first year of the ban when compared to the year previous.

While many inner city bars have suffered negligible profit downturn, it is the opposite for many rural hotel and tavern licensees who have struggled to keep their businesses profitable over the winter months.

Seventy of the six hundred and twenty bars surveyed reported profit decreases of 30% or greater in the first year of the ban when compared to the year previous, as these hotels are at risk of closure if trade does not lift in this coming year.

Continuing growth of the unlicensed bar industry is contributing to the woes of many licensees who cannot compete with illegal bar operators who are not bound by licensing and smoke-free laws.

The full WIN Party report is accessible at http://www.winparty.net.

ENDS

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