Smoking Charter has 99 per cent pubco support

The pub trade has pledged to work with the government to meet stricter targets on smoking in order to avoid a ban.

With the Department of Health (DoH) calling for faster progress - despite the trade exceeding the initial targets agreed under the Public Places Charter - pub operators say they are willing to do what it takes to prove that a ban is unnecessary.

New research carried out by the Charter Group, which campaigns for self-regulation, found that 99 per cent of pub companies backed the Charter as the best way to deal with the smoking issue.

The respondents also said they would actively work towards any new targets agreed with the government.

The initial targets for pubs were for 50 per cent to display external signage, with 35 per cent of these to have non-smoking areas and/or high-quality ventilation.

Independent research identified 63 per cent with external signage and 53 per cent with "good practice" policies.

The 75 pubcos that responded to the latest survey operate almost 30,000 pubs, more than half the total in England and Wales.

Charter Group chairman Nick Bish said: "This new response shows that we are up for the challenge. It also highlights some of the issues that we need to address, such as the difficulties faced by smaller one-room pubs and community locals where no-smoking areas and quality ventilation can appear impractical."

The survey data will be used in discussions with the DoH, which are expected to start in the next few weeks.