Litigation fears lower odds on smoke-free betting shop

The debate around smoke-free public places has so far centred on pubs, bars and restaurants. A new factor has now entered the reckoning - an experiment with smoke-free bookmakers.

Totesport, which operates 457 bookmakers across the UK, has refurbished two identical premises on a Glasgow street - one which allows smoking and the other which doesn't. The company will monitor custom at both outlets and consider the results when renovating future betting sites.

Totesport's Managing Director Joe Scanlon said contrary to public perceptions many customers strongly objected to smoking in betting shops: "Although many of our customers do smoke, business at the non-smoking shop has already increased. Where I have the opportunity to do this again I would definitely do it."

The company employs 4,500 people across the UK and the prospect of legal action from workers or customers was a cause of concern. Mr Scanlon added: "The risk of litigation has crossed my mind. I don't want our staff to be at risk from anything, and people are more litigious nowadays. Passive smoking is an issue growing in momentum, and any risks to our employees are unacceptable."

The initiative was welcomed by Maureen Moore of ASH Scotland: "Employees and customers have the right to breathe clean air and we would welcome other chains of bookmakers introducing voluntary bans. If you remove smoking from anywhere it helps people to quit. I speak to people all the time who have quit smoking and they go into a smoky environment and are back at square one."

A survey by the Sunday Herald found that companies and large public-sector employers are taking steps ahead of any legal ban because of increased fears of litigation from employees exposed to smoke in the workplace.

13,000 Scots die every year due to smoking related illnesses. In Scotland, 30 % of adults smoke - a higher proportion than England and Wales.

August 11 th 2004