Smoking guidance clamour
MPs from all parties are backing the MA's call for Government to release the smoking ban guidance as soon as possible.
Twenty MPs have signed the Early Day Motion (EDM) calling for the regulations to be published before the summer recess on 25 July. EDMs are used by MPs to flag up issues of concern.
Burton's Labour MP Janet Dean, who submitted the EDM, said: "There's an important message in the EDM and hopefully more colleagues will support it." Dean has also written to the Department of Health calling for regulations or draft regulations to be published as soon as possible.
You can do your bit by urging your MP to sign the EDM. Find MPs by typing your postcode into www.upmystreet.com/commons/l/, where their email address should be listed. Or write to them at House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
This calls for a five-point action plan: early release of the guidance; enough time for pubs to adapt; fair restrictions on what structures are permitted outside; equal fines for customers and licensees; and equal treatment across councils.
Marion Jones, of the Joiners Arms in Carlisle, signed the petition. She said: "I feel that the five steps mirror the feelings of all licensees and it would be quite appropriate for the Government to adhere to these requests."
Guidance Now! petition
To add your signature to our petition click here
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