Trade fears haphazard control

Tony Payne, chief executive Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations

"The Government keeps saying it wants to see more family-friendly Continental-style pubs but now it appears to be saying it does not want children in pubs where there is smoking, which will hit thousands of pubs across the country.

"This plan would also allow local authorities to have their six-pennyworth so you will get different towns and different areas with completely different rules.

"The Government is not taking the initiative and appears to be leaving things to local authorities where many have already said they want complete smoking bans."

Mark Jones, chief executive, Yates Group

"I predicted six months ago that the Government would duck this issue and push it on to the local authorities and that way they politically de-risk themselves.

"However we need to be cautious of overreacting to what is only a leak and if such a plan does materialise, the devil will surely be in the detail.

"I am encouraged that if thisplan is correct, it does seem the Government is holding back from imposing a blanket smoking ban and it appears they have begun to listen to the industry."

Mark Hastings, British Beer & Pub Association

"There have been a number of options circulated within the cabinet to decide what should be included in the White Paper and several could yet be presented for consideration.

"What we have seen in the media is the Government flying a number of potential political kites to gauge reaction from the trade.

"But opposition to local authority involvement has managed to unite more or less all sides of the smoking debate."

John Hutson, chief executive, JD Wetherspoon

"The only thing which sounds consistent in this is giving powers to local authorities which has been a strong Government hint all along.

"We are not opposed to a ban on smoking but if it is left to the local authorities, the effect will be haphazard.

"Some councils may ban smoking outright while others may be more relaxed in the same way the local authorities have already shown [in their attitude to licensing]."

Ian Payne, chief executive, Laurel Pub Company

"I would be in favour of a total smoking ban in pubs rather than see local authorities in control of the issue, which would be a nightmare scenario.

"The issue of smoking in pubs is being driven by the consumer and we are already moving towards a system where smoking is widely restricted.

"I have always believed self-regulation is the way forward for the trade but the prospect of seeing local councils getting involved is frightening."

Jon Collins, chief executive Bar Entertainment & Dance Association

"The smoking debate has been generally divisive but there seemsto be united opposition to local authority control.

"I cannot see local council smoking licensing working in practice because it will lead to boundary hopping and zonal tourism."