Sales numbers up after anti-smoking law
Heated statements that bars and restaurants would remain empty after the anti-smoking law was instituted have proved wrong. Several establishments reported increased turnover.
Of the 50 establishments in Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and Tromsø TV 2 contacted, 22 of them stated that their turnover increased in June and July of this year compared to last year. Only 14 reported a decrease.
Norway instituted the new anti-smoking law June 1 of this year, banning all smoking at bars, pubs and restaurants. The industry was afraid that the banning of smoking would mean a massive income loss, empty establishments and in the end, liquidations.
In Bergen, the hangouts Café Clue, Engelen and Metro have had an increased turnover of between 10 and 20 percent so far this summer.
«People who most often smoke, solve the problem by drinking more,» said Jan Georg Syversen, manager at the company Sinco, to TV 2 Nyhetene. «People rather take an extra trip to the bar than go outside to smoke.»
The staff at Café Sting in Stavanger stated that much of the sales increase is due to people who did not go out earlier because of the smoke, have established new habits.
«Some people have allergies, others can't bare the smell. Now people can stop by at a café or attend a concert without having their wardrobe smelling a week afterwards,» said Marianne Nyhagen at Café Sting.
Much of the sale of beer takes place outdoors in the summertime, but also several establishments that to not serve outdoors report increased turnover. However, the weather, at last in the southern part of Norway, has not been much for sitting outdoors.
Viat Nettavisen News in English.
|
