Glasgow pubs breaching smoke ban
Ten percent of the 230 Glasgow licensed premises visited by enforcement officers were found to be in breach of the ban during the first week.
The figure may seem high but pubs in Glasgow appear to be following the smoking ban at least as closely as other 'enclosed public places' in the city.
Of the 230 licensed premises visited 23 were found to be in breach somehow.
We are concerned about cigarette ends being disposed of carelessly.Glasgow Councillor David Stevenson.
One of the biggest problems appears to be the litter created by smokers popping outside and a lack of no-smoking signs.
In total, almost 60 enclosed public places were found flouting the ban in the city.
The city council issued 10 formal warnings and one fixed penalty fine of £200 was imposed on a restaurant manager.
The warnings were issued to three restaurants, one nightclub, one snooker hall, one hot food shop, one hotel and three pubs.
The city's enforcement officers visited 387 premises and found the most common fault to be a lack of signs.
They also voiced concern about the litter.
Councillor David Stevenson, convener of environmental protection services, said: "We are pleased that for a city our size we've had little formal enforcement to carry out.
"However, we are concerned about cigarette ends being disposed of carelessly."
Your CommentsRobert Feal-Martinez via email 05/04/2006"This poses an interesting dilemma. Licensees have to ask their customers to go outside to smoke. If those persons are on the Public Highway the Licensee has no legal liability whatsoever. So are these Smoking Inspectors to be given powers over litter also?. Should the LA not provide litter bins outside all licensed premises in an area of public domain. Under new rules issued by HMG LA's are held liable if they do not keep Public Areas clear of rubbish Interesting who is going to enforce that?"
David via email 05/04/2006"Turn a frown upside down - 90% compliance isnt a bad start!"
Colin Grainger via email 05/04/2006 "Councillor Stevenson, I, and hundreds of thousands of other people see the cigarette ends as a minor detail.
What concerns us more is the way you are disposing of 1.2million people so carelessly."
Alastair Elliott via email 05/04/2006"There are bound to be business's who are going to flout this new and unreasonable law to hold on to their customers, it is surely a very difficult time for these business's, my heart goes out to them, they have had no help from the Executive whatsoever with aid or assistance to make external Smoking areas appealing to help them keep their Smoking customers. They need to voice their objections straight to Holyrood en masse."
Donal McCarthy via email 06/04/2006"It is an absolute disgrace that 10% have flouted the smoking ban in the first week! Hopefully, by the second week it will be up to 20% at least."
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