EHOs: scrap voluntary charter for tougher smoking legislation
Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) are pressurising the government to get rid of the industry's voluntary code on smoking and introduce tougher legislation instead.
They have joined the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) in their calls for a total rethink because they claim barstaff and customers are being put at risk.
They are even planning to conduct their own investigation into how many pubs have adopted the industry's voluntary code on smoking, which recommends the use of signage with no-smoking areas and ventilation where possible.
If the government listens to the EHOs it would mean a ban on smoking at the bar and could cost pubs thousands of pounds as they are forced to implement "adequate ventilation" for staff. It would also mean licensees have to provide separate areas for non-smokers and restrict the amount of time that employees are exposed to tobacco smoke.
But the Charter Group's Nick Bish said he would be happy to allow the EHOs to carry out their own investigation. "I would be delighted to equip each EHO with their own charter compliance 'toolkit'," he said. "Take-up of the Charter is progressing very well although obviously we would love to be in a situation where its 100 per cent.
"This highlights the case for remaining pubs to sign up now or risk heavy government legislation," he added.
"Signing up to the charter will benefit customers and staff and will have the added benefit of getting the government off our back."
But the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's Mike Garton said: "Despite all the evidence that workers' health is being put at risk, particularly in bars and restaurants in the hospitality industry, the government seems resistant to take any action."
The trade has agreed with government officials that by the end of the year 50 per cent of pubs in the UK will be charter compliant and 35 per cent of these will meet the required ventilation standards. Failure to meet this target could mean a complete ban on smoking in pubs.
Related articles:
Charter Group urges licensees to recruit neighbouring pubs (25 June 2002)
ASH: link between tobacco industry and trade to blame for smoking control delays (5 June 2002)
Smoking ban fears increase (28 May 2002)
UK fears as Norway looks at smoke ban (15 May 2002)
AIR hits out at manufacturers over smoking charter confusion (2 May 2002)
Industry groups hit back at GLA smoke claim (23 April 2002)
GLA attacks 'ineffective' smoke charter (11 April 2002)
Smoke report finds inconsistency in charter compliance (2 April 2002)
