Smoking ban will be soon applied by Rank

The smoking ban which was applied not too long ago in Scotland will be also applied in England and Wales. Gambling will no longer be enjoyed alongside smoking.

The smoking ban dropped Rank's (leisure company) taxable profits from ongoing businesses 12% in the year 2006. The revenue generator located in Scotland also suffered, their profits dropping 15%.

Ian Burke, Rank's chief said it is expected that the smoking ban to cause the same effects in Wales and England as it did in Scotland. Before the imposition of the tax, Rank's estimated profit was £50.5m, and after the tax was imposed it dropped to £44.4m.

Surprisingly the income from ongoing operations rose 3.5% to £549.6m. The Mecca bingo clubs and Grosvenor casinos are conducted by Rank.