Government opts for self-regulation over smoking ban
Licensees face a three-year push to save smoking in pubs. Culture secretary Tessa Jowell has confirmed the government doesn't want to ban smoking, agreeing that a voluntary approach is the way forward.
Speaking to a group of industry leaders last week, Ms Jowell admitted that a ban on smoking in pubs would be a risk, particularly for small community pubs.
Her comments come as good news for the industry which had feared the government may plough ahead and introduce bans, particularly in light of recent anti-smoking lobby activity.
The meeting, held jointly by Ms Jowell and health minister Melanie Johnson, concluded with a proposal to set a three-year plan for the introduction of more no-smoking areas and better signage. Ms Jowell invited trade leaders to return in two months to thrash out details of the proposals.
Ian Payne, chief executive of Laurel Pub Company, said: "It was an extremely positive meeting. We were able to demonstrate the steps we have taken and how we can strengthen those and move forward. We are very confident we can make significant progress on this."
Ted Tuppen, chief executive of tenanted pub giant Enterprise Inns, said: "There is a strong desire in government to work with the industry towards a non-imposed solution, so long as the industry keeps progressing."
The news will be met with some relief among publicans. According to The Publican Market Report 2003 survey of licensees, 31 per cent fear they will lose half their trade while the average loss to the trade would be 38 per cent.
Bill Sharp, chairman of the Guild of Master Victuallers and licensee of the King's Head in London Bridge, said: "Bravo to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for consulting with the trade and thank god sense has seen through.
"A ban would be the ruination of pubs as we know them. Whatever your view, people go into pubs to smoke - especially these days when the pub is pretty much the last place anyone can smoke."
Russell Allan of the Fountain Inn, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, said: "The government has done the right thing. I have a friend who had a job in a restaurant in New York but since the smoking ban he has been made redundant.
"Although 70 per cent of my customers don't smoke I think you have to respect the rights of everyone and offer areas for both."
A DCMS spokesperson confirmed: "There are no plans for a ban at the moment. The minister's emphasis is on the voluntary approach to smoking in public places. That is why she asked them to come back in two months' time with clear proposals and targets to achieve."
The government's stance was made public last week by the junior health minister Lord Warner, who told the House of Lords that a ban was not a priority.
He said: "The government has consistently said smoke-free public places are the ideal but there are no plans to introduce a ban."
How the trade has tackled its targets
This is not the first time the government has set targets for the industry.
Back in 1999 when the industry's Public Places Charter was born, targets were set by the then health secretary Tessa Jowell.
The aim of the Charter was to encourage pubs to show a commitment to cleaner air and prove to the government that self-regulation was the way forward.
The government said it would play a role by promoting the Charter to other industries and businesses, leading to one recognised smoking standard.
In June 2003, the industry celebrated briefly when it smashed the government targets of 50 per cent compliance and revealed that 63 per cent of pubs in England and Wales were smoking compliant.
But despite meeting its requirements, the Department of Health said that more needed to be done - a reaction that came as a major blow particularly as it had failed to meet its own promises on pushing the initiative elsewhere.
It is hoped compliance with any new targets will be recognised by the government which will drop the possibility of smoking bans in pubs from its agenda. But it will only work with the help of licensees who must sign up to the Charter.
To get further details and free Charter signage call AIR on 020 7482 0620 or email enquiries@airinitiative.com.
Views from those present at the meeting
- Nick Bish, chief executive, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and chairman of the Charter Group on smoking in public places: "We were grateful for the meeting as it gave us the opportunity to break the log-jam that exists. The industry now needs to move on - to do nothing is not an option."
Bob Cotton, chief executive, the British Hospitality Association: "The minister confirmed that legislation was not the way forward for Britain. It was interesting that with both Tessa Jowell and Melanie Johnson at the meeting that it was Tessa Jowell who took the lead - that tourism and hospitality took precedence over health. This is not just a pub issue - it affects the whole hospitality industry."
Tony Payne, chief executive, the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations: "The most important thing is that Tessa Jowell invited us back again in two months' time. She wants to listen to what we have to say and told us as much."
John McNamara, chief executive, the British Institute of Innkeeping: "The trade now has to go away and think about how to take the Charter forward. We need as many pubs as possible to sign up and shout about it and we need to find as many options as possible for those pubs that might find compliance difficult. We are very happy to have met the government."
Related articles:
Jowell gives trade boost on smoking (9 February 2004)
