Flint: smoke ban will start during summer 2007
Health minister Caroline Flint has written to the trade to confirm that the smoke ban will start during summer 2007 - not earlier in the year as some had feared.
BBPA director of communications Mark Hastings said: "Our preference is for 1 July, as we have made clear. If that proves to be the date, it is one the trade can work towards.
"The critical thing is to get that date out as soon as possible."
Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations chief executive Tony Payne said: "Flint wrote to me saying Britain will be smoke free from summer 2007.
We estimate that licensees need eight months between receiving final guidelines and the start date, to fully prepare Kate Nicholls of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers.
"I found this reassuring as I'd heard rumours it was going to come in in March."
Guild of Master Victuallers executive officer John Madden said the GMV had wanted a 2008 start date.
"But if it has
to come in next year, 1 July is the best time for it," he added.
Kate Nicholls of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers said: "We estimate that licensees need eight months between receiving final guidelines and the start date, to fully prepare."
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