Smoke ban regulations ready - but you can't have them yet
The Government has apparently prepared its draft smoke ban regulations but might not be able to publish them to the trade until October.
The Health Bill is still being discussed by the Lords but Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of Business in Sport and Leisure, told the Community Pubs Inquiry yesterday that regulations have been drafted.
Speaking at the inquiry, organised by the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, she said it would be a great help if the regulations could be given to the trade and local authorities as soon as possible.
She said: "The Department of Health have got the regulations ready - based on the regulations in Scotland - but they say they can't publish them until the Bill has received Royal Assent. They say it may not get Royal Assent until after the summer recess."
Parliament is closed for summer recess from Tuesday, July 25 to Monday, October 9.
Simmonds also pointed out that next year many local authorities would be paralysed by local elections in May, meaning any pubs hoping to get planning permission for smoke shelters would have a very small window in which to get the go ahead.
She said: "We are asking that the regualtions be produced - even if it is in a draft form. If we don't have guidance and local authorities are not urged to make the system run smoothly, then we are not going to have pubs ready with smoke shelters when the ban comes in."
She added that she did not want to see a repeat of the situation in Scotland where at some venues hundreds of smokers congregated in the car park causing a hazard to themselves and others.
Guidance Now!The Government must help pubs plan for the smoking ban as early as possible.So says the Morning Advertiser, which this week launches a petition as part of its Plan for the Ban campaign. Click here to find out more and sign.
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Your CommentsRobert Feal-Martinez via email 24/05/2006"Amazing isn't it, last week Lord Warner refused to even give a time span for these regulations. The Lords asked for them before the Report Satge expected to be some time in June so they can be scrutinised and debated, rather than just dumped on the trade like the Licensing Act. How come if they are ready Lord Warner didn't appear to know. I think we can safely say this is just more hot air from HMG."
Bill Gibson via email 24/05/2006"There is a long, long way to go yet with the possibility of several amendments from the House of Lords to be considered. As yet, Government is still trying to clearly define certain aspects of the Bill as it stands. In recent weeks we have all seen how Government Departments say things but in reality what they say is not the truth but a slimmed down version...so lets wait until the full political process has run its course. Evidence of hasty legislative decision making is obvious in Scotland and Ireland so why rush it...we have a lifetime to regret this unwanted legislation."
Pam Watts via email 24/05/2006"Well i guess as with every thing to do with our trade there will not be any consultation and with any luck like the licensing act will be delayed and delayed again.
but then again maybe this time they will actually make it happen on time after all the hidden agenda is to put all small business out of business isn't it?"
