Bingo players support smoking ban
17th December, 2007
A North West bingo hall has discovered that despite the earlier warnings about the smoking ban damaging the sales figures and the popularity of the industry in general; increasing number of bingo players now support the law and feel it enhances the style of bingo halls.
Since the law was introduced in April in Northern Ireland, the industry feared the decrease in popularity of bingo game and therefore reduced revenues. This was due to the fact that about 75% of bingo players were smokers there, which is incredible three times the national average.
Nevertheless, after 8 months period things have started looking up for bingo business. Strand Bingo in Londonderry has conducted a research, which showed that 87% of their patrons prefer the non-smoking environment, as “it enhances the bingo playing environment”.
This hasn’t appeared naturally though, as the business decided to assist bingo players in giving up smoking, by offering them help from the Western Health and social Services Board (WHSSB).
The help offered includes guidance and information as well as free patches and gum that deals with the physical addiction to nicotine.
Donations made by patrons, who used the programme added up to 31,000 for the Foyle Hospice in the run-up to the smoking ban.
Thomas Doherty, the proprietor publically announced his appreciation and said that he was “pleasantly surprised” with the findings of the survey conducted.
“It is great that our members feel the smoking ban has had a positive effect on their bingo experience. We have worked really hard this year to make the transition as easy as possible for our patrons and we will continue to deliver a fantastic bingo experience," he said.
Mark McBride, coordinator for tobacco control, WHSSB, had this to say on the news: "The survey shows that the majority of people prefer to be in non-smoky environments."
