Copenhagen - A recent public smoking ban has apparently not impacted sales at small Danish pubs and restaurants as feared by bar owners, a survey published Friday said. Sales of beer and other beverages increased 8 per cent in the four-month period after the smoking ban came into force on September 1 compared to the corresponding business period in 2006, Statistics Denmark said.
The law exempts pubs or restaurants that are smaller than 40 square metres, and offices used by one person.
The industry organization Horesta said it was surprised over the trend.
"In other countries with smoking bans, sales dropped initially," Horesta director Lone Njor Hulth said.
The statistics suggest that "many Danes have accepted the smoking ban," she added.
The Danish smoking ban law was slated to be reviewed in 2009-10.
