Euro MPs vote for patio heater ban
Euro MPs have voted in favour of phasing out the use of patio heaters today.
However, a spokesman for the European Commission moved to dampen fears that a ban on pub patio heaters is imminent. He said the EC would now consider what action to take.
"Nothing is certain at all. This is about getting the issue on the agenda and saying this is our vision for the future.
"I would say to pub landlords it will be some years down the line before something happens, if it happens at all."
A ban on patio heaters would be a savage blow to thousands of pubs which have invested heavily in heaters for outdoor smoking areas since the ban.
MEPs voted in favour of adopting Lib Dem Fiona Hall's report on energy efficiency which "urges the Commission to establish timetables for the withdrawal from the market of all the least energy-efficient items of equipment, appliances and other energy-using products, such as patio heaters".
The report follows pressure from Friends Of The Earth to ban heaters.
It claims the heaters waste energy and inflict unnecessary damage on the environment with increased usage posing a direct impact on climate change.
Friends Of The Earth says estimates by the Energy Saving Trust point to a standard patio heater emitting heat output of 12.5 kilowatts produces 34.8kg of C02 before the fuel runs out after 13 hours.
It calculates this is the equivalent to the energy required to produce 5,200 cups of tea or 400 cups for every hour of operation.
"We are becoming increasingly concerned about the emissions which these heaters produce and now that winter is upon us we fear more pubs will be installing them outside their premises," said a Friends of The Earth spokesman.
"It is a problem which is going to increase as more pubs try to cater for smokers this winter."
