Smoking banned in all pubs and clubs

MPs have voted to include private members' clubs in the smoking ban to the relief of the pub trade.

Earlier MPs voted by a majority of 328 to ban smoking in all pubs.

The vote in the House of Commons resulted in 453 MPs saying yes to banning smoking in pubs under the new health bill and only 125 voting no.

MPs then voted on whether to include members' clubs in the ban.

The MPs voted in favour of including private members' clubs by a majority of 200.

With 384 in favour and only 184 against.

Pub trade experts said it was crucial that clubs were included in the ban or thousands of pubs would have faced ruin as they lost smoking trade to neighbouring clubs.

The vote came after more than three hours of debate in the House during which arguments for and against the inclusion of members' clubs were set out.

The ban is expected to come into effect next year and brings England in line with laws in Scotland.

The British Beer and Pub Association​ said it was pleased with the result of the vote but warned hundreds of pubs could be forced out of business.

Communications director Mark Hastings said:

"We are pleased that MPs have ensured a level playing field for all, with no exemption for private members' clubs. ​

"Such clubs are in direct competition with pubs, and they are not private places.

"They sell 1.2 billion pints of beer a year, and their thousands of employees are subject to the same health and safety at work regulations as pub industry staff.

"Now the real hard work begins, preparing our customers and pubs for this cultural shift.

"There is still the prospect that hundreds of community pubs will close and people will lose their jobs."

This week's Morning Advertiser will have the views of industry leaders to the all out smoking ban as well as analysis on what it means to the trade.

To comment on the smoke ban and how it will affect your business email us by clicking this link​