Shout' is a wake-up call

Dave Elliott's "My Shout" (Morning Advertiser, 19 December) calling for the industry to "embrace" a possible future Government smoking ban is certainly provocative and I would agree with many of his thoughts, but not his conclusions. The Public Places Charter, which, as he remarks, we have championed, has had more effect than he has given it credit for. We are reasonably confident that we will meet our targets of 50% displaying policy signs and 35% of these being for pubs that are ventilated and/or have separate non-smoking areas, when the Charter is assessed through independent research in February. It would be extremely perverse for the Government to legislate if we have done everything asked of us ­ so we would expect their continued support for self-regulation. Industry research shows consumers understand the Charter signage and prefer the idea of choice to a ban ­ but Charter awareness amongst consumers must be raised for it to work to best effect. We, and almost all pub customers, believe that standards must be improved and this should include better ventilation ­ if only to provide a much better working environment for staff. No doubt any new Charter objectives would reflect this. The Charter has enabled the industry to move a long way in the last few years and undoubtedly it would be better to move further and faster. However, when the industry is reliant at the moment for about half of its trade on smokers, it would seem highly reckless to ban them lighting up on the premises, in the hope that, when they want to indulge, customers will stand out in the rain instead of staying in their warm homes with a can of beer and the match on the TV. It is unlikely that a huge surge of non-smokers would immediately replace them ­ and even if they did, the shape of our industry would change suddenly and rapidly ­ maybe not everyone would be losers, but very many would. In this case, evolution, through the Charter, to cleaner air pubs would seem much less of a gamble than the revolution of a smoking ban. Dave is right ­ some individuals and groups have done excellent work on improving facilities, but many have not. I hope Dave's "Shout" will act as a wake-up call to them; we must do more if we are to retain the right to set our own policies in this area. Nick Bish Chief Executive, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers 3rd Floor, International House Ealing W5 5DB Total ban not the answer David Elliott is right in saying the Public Place Charter campaign has failed and that there is no point in providing no-smoking areas if effective ventilation is not installed. However, a total smoking ban is not the answer and would have a disastrous effect for the licensed trade. Service standards seriously need to be improved and this should be done without the enforcement of a smoking ban. One of the Charter-compliant ventilation systems we installed more than 12 months ago at the Fountain, New Malden (finalist, Clean Air Pub of the Year 2002) has helped raise turnover by more than 20% and the house is as clean and fresh now as it was following re-decoration. A ban is not necessary and probably unworkable, and we doubt any Government in this country would have the political will to enforce it. Colin Vine/Chris Kempson Fan Installation Services Ltd (via e-mail) Inflamed by smoking view As a freehouse trader of a small rural public house I was stunned by the front page article of the 19 December edition of the MA. I have traded with Greene King for more than 10 years, but no longer wish to be associated with a company whose senior manager has, overnight, destroyed years of effort and campaigning by the trade to continue to allow smoking in public houses. Did the company know that this loose cannon was going to air his personal views in such a public way? Every anti-smoking organisation will quote Mr Elliott and claim that he speaks on behalf of the pub trade. If, as a result of his comments, a ban becomes law, the result will be the closure of thousands of wet-led pubs, and although Greene King has diversified into food-led outlets, a ban will severely hit its wet profits. With a 90% smoking clientele, my pub will be one of the first to go to the wall. I hope, over the coming months, Mr Elliott can explain to his Greene King licensees why he chose to subject them to an even more uncertain future. As a damage limitation exercise, Greene King could still announce that Mr Elliott's views are not those of licensees and the trade in general. M Crathern Greene King Free Trader The Heath Hotel/Blacksmith Arms Heath Road Mistley Heath Essex CO11 2QL Martin's euro stance is key Has it ever occurred to Andrew Jefford that the success of Wetherspoons (MA, 19 December) might just be due, in part at least, to the views of its owner Tim Martin about the euro? Surveys in the UK ­ even by the BBC ­ have repeatedly shown overwhelming opposition to the euro ­ and to the political control by unelected European bureaucrats that its introduction would bring. Practical support is deserved to those prepared to fight for the independence of the UK. What benefits would Mr Jefford suggest the euro would bring to the UK? Stay free, by saying NO to the euro. Dr AA Allen 20 Kingsdown Crescent Dawlish Devon