Trade continues to fight Welsh and Scottish smoke bans

Licensees in Wales and Scotland are vowing to press on with their protests against blanket smoking bans.

New details of the Welsh Assembly's plans emerged this week, while MSPs in Scotland have voted to bring in an all-out ban in March 2006.

More than 100 publicans and pub customers from across South Wales are due to descend on the Welsh Assembly next Wednesday (July 13) as part of a Licensed Victuallers Wales (LVW) protest, in association with The Publican's Butt Out! campaign.

LVW secretary John Price declared: "We're carrying on the fight. I've written to all the Welsh Assembly members in the past week and invited them all to our reception on July 13.

"We want them to come, listen to the publicans, listen to the public and understand the strength of feeling about this."

Welsh Assembly health minister Brian Gibbons outlined the country's plans for a hardline, Irish-style ban within three years at a briefing this week.

But he admitted pubs in rural communities would need support to keep them viable, and offered new hope for a reform of the Welsh rates system.

Speaking from a smoke-free bar in Cardiff, Dr Gibbons ridiculed claims that trade in Ireland had fallen 30 per cent in many areas because of the smoking ban. He said other issues such as tougher enforcement of drink-driving laws had contributed to a general fall in pub sales.

But he added that there was a need to protect small pubs which are important to their communities. "There is no doubt that many communities are focused around a few public places such as the post office and pub.

"We do need to recognise the role that these play in maintaining the fabric of the community. But as to what is the best mechanism, I as the health minister, do not know," said Dr Gibbons.

The Welsh Assembly is currently debating boosting rates aid to small businesses. Pressure is mounting for the current mandatory 50 per cent rate relief for small rural pubs to be boosted to 100 per cent and for the scheme to be extended to other pubs.

Wales is now set to hold its own consultation on the details of a ban.

• Any licensee in South Wales looking to book a last-minute place on the Butt Out! buses to Cardiff on July 13 should contact The Publican on 020 8565 4458.