Positively Puschka, Positively SmokeFree

August 4, 2005 - PRESS RELEASE FROM SMOKEFREE LIVERPOOL

A Liverpool restaurant has seen profits climb by a quarter since going smokefree.

It is a year since Puschka, on Rodney Street, went smokefree. Now, the 'funky, laid back bistro' reports a 25% increase in profits - and that around 80% of its customers ask if it is smokefree, when booking.

Owners Glen Dumbell and Doug Eglin have been passionate supporters of the SmokeFree Liverpool campaign from the start. They even offer employees who smoke, paid leave to seek help in quitting.

Glen said: "We really believe that the fact we are a smokefree restaurant is a major selling point for us.

"It has created a lovely atmosphere in Puschka and with 83% of our customers initially voting for us to become a smokefree venue, who were we not to listen to them?

"We would encourage anybody who is thinking about going smokefree to stop hesitating and take action. We did and have no regrets.

"It is really noticeable that the vast majority of people who ring to make a booking ask us specifically if we are totally smokefree. "

Puschka is one of a number of city businesses which have gone smokefree in the last 18 months. SmokeFree Liverpool, and charity Health@Work - which works with businesses to introduce smoking policies - report that in total more than half Liverpool's businesses are smokefree.

"We are seeing a growing number of businesses going smokefree every week. Stories like Puschka's demonstrate the real business attractions of taking this step - as well as emphasising the health benefits for staff and customers," said Andy Hull, Chair of SmokeFree Liverpool.

Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of Central Liverpool PCT and Joint Chair of the SmokeFree Liverpool Stakeholder Group, said: "People often forget that pubs and restaurants are workplaces, just as much as offices and factories, and that the people who work in them should be protected from the effects of second-hand tobacco smoke. This is another reason why decisions such as Puschka's are to be welcomed."