AIR swamped by requests for policy statements

Atmosphere Improves Results (AIR) has received more than 2,000 requests from licensees for policy statements, following the announcement of the Charter Group results last month.

The government said that to be fully compliant with the Smoking Charter, a pub must sign up and be able to produce a formal written policy on smoking when requested.

Oliver Griffiths, spokesman for AIR, said: "After the results came out on which showed that 42 per cent could produce a formal policy statement when asked, we received over 2,000 requests in three days. It just shows the level of interest the industry has in making the Charter work."

Nick Bish, chairman of the Charter Group (pictured)​, said: "This is brilliant. I am delighted that the industry has been so diligent in trying to make this work."

Mr Griffiths has said the Charter, which promotes self-regulation on smoking through the use of signage, good ventilation and non-smoking areas where possible, now needs a government campaign to increase public awareness.

However, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health (DoH) told thePublican.com that no public awareness initiatives were currently taking place and that she was unable to comment on any future plans.

Mr Griffiths believes that, while it is unlikely that the DoH will embark on a major publicity campaign for the Charter, it could spread the word at very little cost. "Information could be added into the already existing literature on passive smoking," he said. "For example, they could say that if you are trying to give up smoking and you want to avoid a smoky atmosphere, then please look out for ventilation or separate area signage outside pubs.

"It is a hugely simple message to get across."