Smoking bans in pubs and cafes would protect the health of thousands of UK hospitality workers, and result in increased profits for landlords and restaurant owners, according to an investigation in the latest edition of the TUC-backed magazine, Hazards.

Based on the research in the new issue of Hazards out last Saturday, the TUC and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) are urging the Government to take note of independent research on the effects of any smoking bans and ignore studies funded by the tobacco lobby which wrongly imply that any ban would see businesses going to the wall.

The investigation, ‘smoke screen’, looks at a new analysis of 97 smoking studies carried out in eight countries, which suggests that the most rigorous and independent studies find that bans have had no negative impact on the profits of pubs, clubs, and eateries.

The same analysis reveals that all existing studies pointing to negative impacts on trade world-wide, are funded by sources in some way related to the tobacco industry.

Looking at the UK, Hazards reveals that three independent pieces of research could find no evidence of any negative impact from smoking bans already in existence in pubs and bars.

For example, a study from Newcastle University revealed that a quarter of the businesses surveyed reported a boost in trade, and 58 per cent of pubs questioned said takings were up.

Another from Yorkshire ASH found that almost two-thirds of respondents (65%) thought more people were visiting their establishments because of their no-smoking policies, and 29 per cent said that trade had increased 'a lot'.

But two other surveys with unclear funding sources said bans would be bad news for businesses, with one predicting that pubs would lose around 41 per cent of their custom if they were forced to ban smokers.

Brendan Barber , TUC General Secretary Elect, said:

"The tobacco lobby is desperate to avoid a smoking ban, and is using dubious surveys, full of junk science to try to convince the Government of its case.”

“But people who work in pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants need protecting, and the voluntary Charter backed by the tobacco industry will do nothing to save the lives of thousands of workers at risk every day from passive smoking.”

"Two years ago, the Health and Safety Commission proposed a legally binding code of practice to protect the health of hospitality workers and the public. This is the route the Government must take. Ministers should not be deterred from acting by the results of misleading surveys promoted by organisations keen to see bars and restaurants remain smoky, hazardous and unhealthy for workers and customers alike."