Lord blasts industry for smoke inaction
Publicans have received yet another strong warning to increase the number of no-smoking areas or face strict legislation.
The trade's efforts to self-regulate and avoid a smoking ban have been ridiculed by a prominent member of the House of Lords who is pushing for laws to restrict customers lighting up in public places.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester has introduced a private member's bill into the House of Lords aiming to force pubs to introduce no-smoking areas. And he has been outspoken in his criticism of the trade's self-regulatory Charter Group.
"The public is sick and tired of the hospitality industry's refusal to make adequate provision for those who detest second-hand smoke, whether at work or in public places," he said.
Lord Faulkner's bill, although unlikely to be passed because of the shortage of parliamentary time, is calling for pubs to be forced by law to introduce no-smoking areas. He also wants to give pub employees the right not to be obliged to work in smoking areas.
Nick Bish, chairman of the industry's Charter Group, has agreed that pubs need to make more effort to introduce no-smoking areas.
"I would prefer public recognition of the Charter signs than pubs being forced into a course of action, but every operator should consider offering more no-smoking areas," he said.
But he added that the industry was "on the case" and there was no need for legislation. "We don't want regulation because it has a habit of having unintended consequences," he said.
Lord Faulkner's criticism came despite consumer group the Campaign for Real Ale throwing its weight behind the Charter Group.
It is hoped CAMRA's involvement will spread the Charter Group's message to pub-goers and raise its profile considerably, proving the trade is making a real effort to self-regulate.
The latest attack on smoking came as a smoking ban in Leeds University Union's five bars saw takings plummet by £26,000 in less than two weeks. Despite the ban only being in place during the day, the students voted with their feet and deserted the bars in droves.
The university has had to recommend that the ban be lifted.
