Let's bin the smoking ban

We take a look at how the UK is tackling smoking in pubs and offer you the chance to have your say in our petition.

Some may claim that a ban is now inevitable, but our research continues to show that this is not what licensees want. So if you do want to continue to allow smoking in your pub, please complete our petition - click here​ to have your say.

Smoking bans across the UK:​

Northern Ireland:​

The NI Assembly is still yet to be reinstated so all policy is being controlled by Westminster.

However, Derry City Council has unanimously backed the proposals for a ban at its monthly meeting and urged the country to follow its Southern Irish neighbours. Although the decision is likely to be taken at a national level support is expected to come from other local authorities.

The new law was widely opposed by licensees in the Irish Republic before it came into effect but the Derry Vintners Association said that there would be no point objecting to the plans. Gerry McCloskey, vice chairman, said: "It has been implemented in the South and it's only a matter of time before it comes in here. There is no point resisting it."

Republic of Ireland:​

A smoking ban was introduced in all public places on March 29 this year. The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI) has already urged the government to waive the smoking ban in pubs that are losing business.

A review of the ban in Ireland will take place in July and many licensees are hoping that the Irish government will look at the situation in America. A number of counties in New York introduced a waiver system in January after businesses provided evidence of a fall in trade following a ban.

Wales:​

In January 2003 the Welsh Assembly passed a motion by 39 votes to 10 calling for the UK government to give it powers to impose a ban on smoking in all public places. The Assembly currently does not have the power over such legislation.

Scotland:​ The trade in Scotland is more positive than in England after a recent meeting between the Scottish Charter Group and the Scottish Executive proved successful.

But like England there are those who remain edgy and the message is the same in as much as everyone will have to pull together to beat a total ban.

In February SNP Scottish Parliament backbencher Stewart Maxwell launched a bill proposing a smoking ban in places were there is eating and received support from most of the medical fraternity. This was a kick up the backside for the trade but there are many who fear there is still not enough unity among licensees.

Stuart Ross, chief executive at the Belhaven Group, has recently come out saying that the trade has to stick together to avoid a ban.

He said: "An immediate ban without planning or a decent campaign would be detrimental to our business. We need to approach it in an orderly manner so the trade is on a level playing field. The job of the Scottish Executive is to consider the health of the public. We have to work with them on that to show we have the same objective."

The country is now into a very important consultation period that will last until September during which time all areas of society, including the licensed trade, will have the opportunity to raise concerns.

England:​

There is a general air of frustration in the trade over defeating a ban.

A total smoking ban in the workplace seems for many inevitable, which leaves those running pubs wondering why they are trying to prove it is not necessary.

But there is still hope. Nothing has been decided and the clear message to licensees is that without any efforts to introduce alternatives a ban will be easier to impose.

In recent months there has been a flurry of activity with Wetherspoon chief Tim Martin and Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, both hinting at an inevitable ban.

A meeting with culture secretary Tessa Jowell and public health minister Melanie Johnson failed to allay fears and a conference led by the health sector earlier this month hammered the trade.

But the Charter Group continues to push the alternatives and believes it is worth the effort. Nick Bish, head of the Charter Group, has been at the forefront of the effort to convince the government a ban is not the answer and continues to promote the alternatives. "There will be a downside for pubs if there is a ban," he said.

"So we want to show that the trade will do all that is in its power to act responsibly and in the interests of staff. It'll be some time before a ban could be put into place and while the government stalls we have to prove that the trade is responsible and looks after its staff. A voluntary solution is better than a ban."

The Charter Group:​

The industry's Charter Group, which represents the hospitality industry, currently leads efforts at improving standards voluntarily. The aim of the Charter is to prove to the government that self-regulation and not mandatory bans is the way forward. To get further details on becoming Charter compliant call Atmosphere Improves Results on 020 7482 0620 or email enquiries@airinitiative.com