Trade hits back over calls for smoking restrictions

The trade's Charter Group has hit back at calls from a leading trade union for new laws restricting smoking in pubs.

The Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G), which represents thousands of pub workers, wants the government to take action to protect barstaff from passive smoking.

It is lobbying ministers to introduce an Approved Code of Practice. This would further restrict smoking in pubs and could be used by staff to support legal action against publicans and pub operators over health problems related to passive smoking.

Brian Revell, T&G national organiser, said: "The T&G wants to ensure that the health of our many thousands of members who work in bars is protected. Barstaff have a right to work in a smoke-free environment."

But the trade has been arguing for self-regulation in the form of the voluntary charter on smoking in pubs, which recommends the use of signage, with ventilation and no-smoking areas where appropriate.

The charter group claims this is already effective and that operators and licensees are investing heavily in order to reach the required standards of ventilation. Estimates suggest as much as £16,000 is being spent per outlet on improvements.

Nick Bish, charter group chairman, said: "This level of attention and investment demonstrates that the industry can and will deliver on its targets to improve the atmosphere in pubs."

The trade has agreed with government officials that by the end of the year 50 per cent of pubs in the UK should be charter compliant and 35 per cent of these should have the required ventilation standards. Failure to meet this target could see ministers bow to pressure from organisations like the T&G and campaign group Action on Smoking and Health to impose tougher restrictions or even a complete ban on smoking in pubs.