Key figures respond to the smoking decision

Ted Tuppen, chief executive, Enterprise Inns "The government proposals reflect a total shambles in the Cabinet and do good for no-one. Our position remains that well-run pubs will continue to prosper, but there will be a serious impact on marginal outlets."

Giles Thorley, chief executive, Punch Taverns​ "If self-regulation is no longer possible for the licensed trade industry, then legislation that offers both licensees and pub customers some degree of choice is certainly the next best thing. Although we acknowledge that the proposed non-food/food split will present some landlords with difficult decisions, nonetheless we feel that the distinction is relatively straightforward and workable as well as preserving some degree of choice."

Simon Clark, director of pro-smoking group, FOREST​"We welcome the fact that the government has recognised there should be an element of choice. However, this is still an illiberal piece of legislation that severely restricts consumer choice and limits the rights of publicans to run their businesses as they see fit."

ASH (Action on Smoking & Health) director Deborah Arnott​"This Bill will be a big step forwards for public health. If passed into law, it will save thousands of lives every year. But [defence secretary] Dr John Reid's last ditch defence of smoking in pubs has led to a ridiculous mess...the government will also find it impossible to set safe standards for pubs and clubs that still allow smoking. If the government cannot find the nerve to do the right thing on this issue, then MPs should be given a free vote."

John McNamara, chief executive, the BII​"Serving food should not preclude a premises from offering a smoking area. The new legislation will undoubtedly present a difficult choice for licensees and customers, and mean that the pub may lose its appeal to a wider audience. The BII strongly opposes the proposal that members clubs are exempt from the ban. Allowing smoking in members' clubs would lead to a migration of drinkers from local pubs into the members' clubs. This loss of custom to small licensed premises could drive them out of business."

Tim Lord, chief executive of the Tobacco Manufacturers Association​"We applaud the decision to make provision for smoking in pubs where no food is served. However we are disappointed that there has not been a provision for smoking rooms. What's important is that choice has been maintained, unfortunately that is not enough for England's 10 million smokers."

Sir Robin Wales, chair of the Association of London Government​ "London has helped pave the way for these reforms and this is a real victory for common sense. Our draft legislation to limit smoking in public places in London helped set the national agenda for the proposals and polls have shown strong support among Londoners for tighter controls."

Professor Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer Research UK​"The compromised law will be unworkable. It also sends out a terrible message - that the Government is prepared to protect the health of some workers while leaving others exposed to the seriously damaging effects of secondhand smoke. People will die as a consequence of this half-hearted decision."

British Beer & Pub Association, chief executive Rob Hayward​ "This is groundhog day. We are back to square one, with a proposal that is unworkable and grossly unfair on Britain's pubs. I hope further consultation will make the government think again.

"Across the country, clubs compete head-to-head with pubs. The fact that you will be able to eat, drink and smoke in clubs but not in pubs is a gross distortion of the market and threatens to put many local community pubs out of business. If the Bill really is about protecting workers' health, where is the logic in this distinction?"

"The Government's food distinction is almost unworkable. We are now back trying to define what is or is not food. Our own members are telling us that 20 per cent of pubs will take food out in order to remain smoking. How does this square with the Government's alcohol policy, which is supposedly trying to encourage more food in pubs?

"We have real fears that the Government is trying to rush these enormous changes through. Pubs will need a sensible period to plan and adjust.

"We will press the Government over the coming weeks for a much more realistic proposal, which provides a level playing field for all pubs and clubs, and choice for our customers."

Spirit Group​

"This began as an attempt to find a solution acceptable to everybody. And it has ended with a farce supported by hardly anybody. "In order for us to really understand the implications for our business, we will need a properly worked up proposal from the Department of Health, which includes full details of how the implementation will actually work. "We do not believe a food/non-food split in pubs is workable or practical and have been arguing for a properly thought-out, staged process. We have been actively participating in a practical, staged introduction of no smoking areas within all our pubs and we already have a no smoking at the bar policy in 85% of our pubs and no smoking areas in two-thirds of outlets. We need to clarify the most sensible timeline and we believe a staged implementation over the next five years will achieve a sensible transition. "We will be arguing strongly over the next few weeks for a more realistic solution."