Smoking and Bingo

[justontime]

I saw something on the local news that suggested that the new smoking laws were putting some bingo halls out of business. Is this really happening? I would be more likely to go to bingo now because I hate having to be in smoky environments.

[Dio]

Absolutely, I'm not sure of the exact figures for closures, but there have been lots around the UK - maybe 30 or 40 that I can recall the last couple of years. The problems are not just down to the smoking ban though - the industry is scapegoating the ban (and the VAT issues) as the crux of their problems, but it's not just that.

Many of the halls that have closed have been older style converted cinemas, they just don't have the capacity to be profitable, and with competition and a lack of gumption to go out and get a new generation of players, the clubs are suffering and as a result, closing. The problems have been building up for years, but the ban has bought them to a head.

[tater03]

When the law first went into effect in my area bingo halls did have trouble at first. But now the people are starting to come back. They just go outside if they want to smoke now.

[Green-Moo]

Although there have been lots of closures in the UK, I don't think they can just be attributed just to the smoking ban. Unfortunately Bingo just isn't trendy any more.

[tater03]

Actually in our area a lot more young people seem to have found the joy and love of playing bingo. Or they are hoping to win.

[Green-Moo]

why do you think that is tater? What are clubs in your area doing that's attracting these young people?

Sometimes it's something as silly as a celebrity mentioning a hobby in an interview to get people rushing to join in!

[tater03]

I really have no idea. I do see a lot of parents that go with their adult kids. Like I do with my Mom. So maybe they have seen their parent's going and have thought they would give it a whirl.

[trick-r-treat]

I suspected it would probably die down at first, kind of as a way of showing rebellion, but the thrill of the game will be calling them back, I'm sure.

[mollyL]

Partly I still go to bingo because my Granny and I used to go together. My Gran hated people smoking round her and blowing it in her face, and she wasn't shy about letting smokers know it! She'd be glad to know that smoking's being banned, and I have to say I agree with her.

[Green-Moo]

Unfortunately, my granny WAS that smoker!

I have the utmost admiration for her though. She decided one day that she was going to give up, having smoked heavily every day from when she was 14 through until she was in her 70s, and so she just threw them away and did. No aids, just willpower.