Johnson rules out a total ban on smoking

by Tony Halstead Public health minister Melanie Johnson has insisted that a blanket ban on smoking in pubs and other public places is "not justified" when substantial progress can be made by other means. Instead, the Government will continue to press for increased provision of smoke-free and no-smoking areas, while looking at a code of practice. Johnson's comments came during an adjournment debate instigated by Ilford North Labour MP Linda Perham, who claimed voluntary measures were not good enough. "A universal ban on smoking in public places is unjustified whilst we can make vast and substantial progress by other means," Johnson said. The minister said that more should be done to tackle passive smoking and increase smoke-free environments. She did, however, confirm that a code of practice on smoking in public places was being considered. "The Health & Safety Executive has been asked to look further at the costs as they affect the small business and hospitality sector. "Most pubs still have smoking and many have smoking throughout, while only a handful are smoke free and that is not satisfactory progress," she warned. The Government's stance is at odds with views within the European Union, where EC Health Commissioner David Byrne has said that he wants to push through laws banning smoking in restaurants, cafés and bars. Charter Group chairman Nick Bish said discussions with the Department of Health were now back on track after a meeting between the two parties. "We have successfully managed to re-establish a working relationship with the department and I think this is important, especially in the context of the minister's support for self-regulation. "She was faced with a substantial anti-smoking lobby during the adjournment debate, but she appears determined to proceed in her own way," said Bish. The Laurel Pub Company believes a voluntary code is the sensible way forward. "All our 637 pubs are Charter- compliant and 60% have no smoking areas, while all have modern and efficient ventilation systems," said communications director Maureen Heffernan. Laurel prepares for two more no-smoking pubs Laurel Pub Company expects to have two more no-smoking pubs up and running by December. Refurbishments of the Lampton at Gateshead and the Phoenix in Sheffield are well advanced, with completion dates set within two months. The decision follows the success of Laurel's inaugural smoke-free pub, the Ring 'O Bells at Kirkby on the Wirral, where trade has doubled since the new policy was introduced. Communications director Maureen Heffernan said: "We have had discussions with the managers of the pubs, who both feel a no-smoking policy will work.