Pressure builds for smoke ban regulations

The lobby group that has organised a parliamentary inquiry into the the plight of community pubs has written to Health Minister Caroline Flint asking for early publication of the regulations relating to the forthcoming smoke ban.

All Party Parliamentary Beer Group secretary Robert Humphreys has asked for the guidelines to be published before the summer recess. His letter to Flint states that there is "considerable concern" that the draft regulations could be published as late as the autumn - after the Health Bill is given Royal Assent.

Havoc for businesses​

He points out this could "cause havoc for those businesses who may have to make significant changes to comply without avoidable damage to their business or inconvenience to their customers".​

His letter adds: "The likely pressures on architects, planning officers and planning committees, especially given the local elections in Spring 2007, were all considered. ​

"The co-chairs of the panel, Janet Dean MP and Nigel Evans MP, therefore asked me to write to you on behalf of the Panel, to urge you to publish the draft regulations at the earliest possible date, and certainly before the summer recess, so as to give all concerned the fairest possible lead time."

Guidance Now!We can't agree strongly enough with Robert Humphreys.That's why we've launched our own petition as part of our Plan for the Ban campaign: Guidance Now! Click here to find out more and sign.

We've also launched a brand new campaign "Save Our Local Pubs"Local pubs are at the heart of our communities. They create jobs, support the economy, raise money for charities and provide a meeting place for community members and groups.

But these pubs are under threat from the twin scourges of red tape and rising costs. The smoke ban will add to this burden and could have devistating consequences for thousands of pubs nationwide.

To find out more click this link​