The Parrot Café, Dundee
The Parrot Café, 15 minutes walk from Dundee city centre, has been in business for almost 20 years.
It started out no smoking 1987 and is still the only smoke free cafe in the area. Owner Val Ireland was initially sceptical about introducing the smoke-free policy. However, she says that it has not affected business in any way, shape or form.
There is only one sign on the premises indicating that the business is smoke-free but this is all that is needed.
It is evident that The Parrot is smoke-free as soon as you walk through the door, as it has a clean, fresh atmosphere and there are no ashtrays on display. If people are unsure whether they can or cannot smoke, they normally ask.
Both staff and customers are very positive about the cafe's policy. Ms Ireland believes many people come to The Parrot specifically because it is smoke free. The number of customers who leave the premises because they are not allowed to smoke is minimal.
The Parrot has been a popular establishment since it opened and Ms Ireland believes that this is due to a combination of no smoking and healthy food menu.
Ms Ireland understands the difficulties that other businesses, in particular pubs and bars, may have with going completely smoke free. She does however advise: 'It's simple, it's easy, and implementing the policy is something we must do to prolong the health of our population.'