MPs urged to support level playing field on smoking

MPs are being urged to support clear legislation on smoke-free workplaces and to oppose any exemption for private members clubs in the forthcoming free vote.

At a joint press conference in Westminster today, leading figures from the hospitality industry and health lobby voiced their support for a level playing field with no exemptions.

In a revolutionary move the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), British Medical Association, anti-smoking group ASH and Kevin Barron MP, chairman of the Health Select Committee, have joined forces to call for clubs to be covered by the same legislation as pubs and bars.

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "Exempting Britain's 20,000 members' clubs from a smoking ban that affected all pubs would be grossly unfair on the pub trade, and make no sense in terms of protecting people from second-hand smoke.

"In reality, clubs are as much a part of the hospitality industry as pubs. Whatever their views on smoking, we are saying to MPs it is vital that all are treated in exactly the same way. Any other outcome would make no sense and lead to unfair competition. We are writing to MPs today to highlight what is now a major concern for all of us."

Deborah Arnott,director of ASH, commented: "We hope very much that MPs will vote at Report Stage for the amendment to the Health Bill moved by Kevin Barron and members of the Health Select Committee. We're delighted that hospitality trade employers share our view that this is now the best way forward."