Minister's comments prompt new smoke-ban fears

The pub trade is calling on the government to clarify its position on the impending smoking ban following comments in the House of Lords.

Remarks from health minister Lord Warner last Monday prompted suggestions the ban could be extended to bus shelters and areas outside offices - and even outside pubs.

However, he did also reveal that pubs would not have to wait much longer for the guidelines on the ban to be published. Following a request from Lord Naseby that the government publish the regulations and set the precise start-date of the ban, he said: "I can tell the noble Lord that our regulations will be published very soon."

The regulations will give full details on what will be accepted as an outside smoking area, allowing publicans to get organised for the smoking ban in 2007. However, during the debate Lord Warner stated that the bill would follow the Scottish example with an outside area being only 50 per cent enclosed.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) wrote to Caroline Flint, the health minister leading the smoking issue, last Wednesday asking her to explain Lord Warner's comments.

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the BBPAf, said: "We are seeking clarification from the government over whether its position on the smoking ban has changed. We believe there is nothing new for pubs to worry about, but this shows all too clearly why we need certainty.

"Pubs will be reluctant to invest and prepare for the ban if they face uncertainty around the possibility of further changes to the as yet unseen regulations. It is vital for the whole hospitality sector that the government makes its position clear very quickly."

Peers voted against private members' clubs being exempt from the smoking ban in England and Wales during the debate. An amendment tabled by Labour peer Lord Pendry in the House of Lords was defeated by 97 votes to 157.