BBPA seeks open dialogue in smoking debate

by Ewan Turney

British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) members have urged the Government to 'keep it simple when it comes to introducing smoking restrictions.

Public Health Minister Caroline Flint visited the association last week in an attempt to explain the Government's thinking behind its proposals to ban smoking in pubs that serve food by 2008.

Flint gave a presentation to the BBPA council before answering questions.

Brakspear chief executive Don Bridgman urged the Govern-ment to learn from the chaos of licensing reform and keep things simple.

'We don't want to get into a muddle like the licensing mess, he said. 'The overriding message was to keep it simple and for God's sake talk to us before committing to anything.

Flint, who was brought up in a pub, was challenged over the decision to base a ban around food.

'We've got to have an even playing field, added Bridgman. 'You can't have smoking in some pubs and not in others.

'There is also the competition issue with the exemption for members' clubs that could cause huge problems for community pubs.

Bridgman believes that some flexibility must be retained. 'We need to keep options open, he said. 'If it is a ban, we need some degree of flexibility on time scales and whether we could provide separate areas away from dining rooms where people could go and smoke. Let's not close every option down.

The BBPA is finalising its response to the consultation this week and Bridgman warned that it must explain the issues clearly if the industry is to stand any chance of persuading the Government to amend its current proposals.

'We need to get our act together in terms of lobbying and be able to present and explain the issues in a straightforward manner. I am confident we can do that.

The BBPA's response is expected to be largely based on the industry initiative to ban smoking in 80% of floor space by 2009.