Taj Mahal Restaurant, Hamilton
The Taj Mahal is the first restaurant in Hamilton to introduce a total ban on smoking. The no-smoking policy was introduced at the beginning of August following the owners’ own customer research.
The owner has been in the restaurant business for around 35 years and has always had some form of smoking policy in place in his restaurants.
The decision was made for the Taj Mahal to go completely smoke-free following a customer survey which took place over a three-week period. The results were overwhelmingly in favour of a ban. Of all non-smoking customers asked, 100% said that they would welcome the ban.
Taj Mahal manager Ajmal Mushtaq says: “The surprising fact was that over 80% of smokers said that the ban would not really affect them as they would simply wait until after their meal and they had left the restaurant before lighting up. They said the ban may encourage them to smoke less – or even to give up. In any case their smoking would be legally restricted everywhere from next year.”
He added: “Since the ban, the feedback from both customers and staff has been very positive, as the dining and work environment is now much fresher.”
There have been no negative effects to business at the Taj Mahal since the ban was introduced and customers now even travel from 20 or 30 miles away to benefit from the smoke free atmosphere, some bringing young children for the first time in years.
Many customers at the Taj Mahal are loyal, long standing patrons and since the ban came into force, Mr Mushtaq has noticed that many now come into the restaurant to eat rather than ordering a take-away.
He has these words for anyone considering introducing a smoke-free policy: “I would definitely encourage people to implement a ban. It won’t affect your business. Cinemas and public transport have been smoke-free for years and they’re not affected. People adapt. We have witnessed a positive return on business since introducing a smoking ban but the health of customers and staff is the most important thing and cannot be underestimated.”