Russia: Smoking Ban Negatively Influences Sales of Public Catering Enterprises

Source from:  Voice of Russia RUVR (ru)  06/25/2014

After the ban on smoking in restaurants, cafes and bars, which came into effect on June 1, the sales in catering establishments decreased by 15-20%. This was reported today by the "Izvestia" newspaper, citing the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Russia (FRIO).

"Various public catering enterprises in Moscow experienced a decline in the turnover of 15-20 %," said the president of the FRIO, Igor Bukharov. "This is very serious. This data is received from cafés, restaurants and bars. We did not consider the clubs".

According to Bukharov, "colleagues in Europe say that during the first year when the ban comes into effect, the fall is very serious." "In pubs, for example, it was 30%. Then customers return, after they get used to the ban. But by this time most enterprises go bankrupt," he added.

A number of Moscow coffee chains and restaurants has already confirmed the decline in sales, reports TASS.

The first part of anti-smoking bans in the Russian Federation was put into force on June 1, 2013. In particular, it forbids smoking in the territory of schools and universities, cultural institutions and sports, beaches, stadiums, playgrounds and hospitals. It is prohibited to smoke on site of spa facilities, within state institutions and gas station. Smoking is not permitted on board of the aircraft (earlier the decision to ban smoking on airplanes was up to airlines), underground and all public transport. Smoking around and inside stations, ports and airports is also considered a violation of the law. In order to light a cigarette one needs to move away from the entrance for no less than 15 meters. Penalties for these violations were introduced on November 15, 2013.

On June 1, 2014 Russia banned smoking in cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels. Enditem