No to health warnings on drink

Where does freedom end and authoritarianism begin? That question was prompted by a speech given by pubco boss Chris Holmes to the annual awards lunch staged by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) in Nottingham, where prizes were awarded to winners of the Champion Beer of Britain competition.

It will come as no surprise to learn that Chris's thoughts were the result of the highly-controversial smoking ban that comes into effect next year. His views are worthy of attention because he has seen active service on both sides of the bar.

When I first got to know Chris in the late 1970s, he was a college lecturer, cask-beer lover and, by extension, national chairman of Camra. He gave up college work and bought a pub in Newark. Eventually he launched Tynemill as a specialist cask-beer pub group and now runs 17 pubs in the east Midlands. Along the way he bought the Castle Rock micro-brewery in Nottingham, which has more than doubled output in recent years, supplies the Tynemill estate and also has accounts nationwide.

Chris confessed to the awards lunch that he was deeply worried by the possible impact of the smoking ban on the pub trade. Warming to his theme, he said - and I'm paraphrasing his remarks - that he didn't consider it was the Government's role to interfere in matters such as smoking: those decisions should be left to individuals.

It's a thorny question. Should the Government take an active role in the current debate over obesity by recommending

healthy eating, or should people be free to wolf down burgers and chips and ignore the prospect of an early grave?

As a result of the Government's recent intervention, the cafeteria in my son's school has lost several machines that dispensed fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate bars. I'm pleased about that - the students will be fitter and healthier as a result.

Back in the 1960s, a similar debate raged about personal freedom when the Government announced it would make the wearing of seat belts compulsory in cars. Forty years later that is no longer an issue. We all belt up without giving the matter a second thought and the statistics proved that the decision has saved millions of lives.

As well as serving a superb range of beers, the Tynemill pubs also offer excellent food. The chefs are encouraged to use organic ingredients and to make vegetarian options available. In other words, Chris and his team are concerned about quality food and drink, and are catering to a section of consumers with similar attitudes.

So why pollute the pub atmosphere with cigarette smoke? Chris argued that we had to draw a line in the sand on this issue, not only because a smoking ban attacks personal freedom and could have a major impact on pubs' profits, but also because the Government would demand further restrictions. As an example, he cited the new demand that wine bottles should carry warnings about the dangers of over-consumption.

But it's a false argument. Smoking is a killer, whereas moderate consumption of beer and wine is not harmful and can be mildly beneficial, helping to ward off heart disease and cancer. We mustn't confuse the two issues.

Smoking kills and is a terrible drain on the slender resources of the health service. It doesn't matter whether you smoke one cigarette a day or 60 - nicotine remains a killer. I think opponents of the smoking ban in the pub trade are too negative: the experience of both California and Ireland is that the trade will soon pick up again. An essential fact is that smoke-free pubs will attract many new customers who stay away at present because they find smoking distasteful.

On the other hand, I am opposed to health warnings for wine and beer. Yes, over-consumption, binge-drinking in particular, also poses a danger, and is a drain on the health service.

But around 97% of people drink moderately. The Government should study their behaviour and offer them to young people as examples of sensible drinking. We need a campaign emphasising that beer and wine, handled well, are pleasant, relaxing and life-enhancing.

And so much nicer when enjoyed in a smoke-free environment.

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