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News • October 10 2004


GRTU says first smoke-free weekend delivers drop in sales

Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) leisure and entertainment spokesperson Philip Fenech yesterday said the start of the first smoke-free weekend had impacted various bars and entertainment establishments across the island.
Fenech said the first Friday night for the leisure and entertainment sector had reported a loss in sales as Malta enters a new era of health legislation with the introduction of a total smoking ban in public places, staunchly opposed by the GRTU which claimed the law would negatively affect bars and restaurants.
Dorian Dalli, manager of Qube Vodka Bar in Paceville, said that business on Friday night had gone down by 20 per cent because although the clientele had not decreased, clients were constantly leaving the building to smoke, resulting in less sales for the bar.
In Valletta, Pierre Nani said he had to close his bar early on Tuesday, the first day of the smoking ban, after people refused to come in due to the smoking ban. Nani said the place was “totally empty.”
Ugo Chetcuti, owner of Paceville discotheque Havana, said people were constantly going in and out of the disco to smoke outside, claiming that non-smokers were also following their smoker friends outside the establishment. Paul Micallef, the owner of Images Pub in Qawra said business had decreased by 50 per cent, with regulars who have been coming in “for years” having deserted the bar after they were told they could not smoke, moving instead to open-air establishments.
Philip Fenech said the GRTU had received several reports from large and small establishments where bar staff said certain clients had refused to collaborate and stop smoking. “We have had reports of clients walking out in a rage, some even swearing at the barmen. Worse still, we have had incidents where non-smoking clients complained about clients smoking on the terrace of a bar or restaurant, having misinterpreted the law, showing how much people have been misinformed about the legislation.”

 

 

 

 





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