Fury over lack of smoke ban guidelines
Trade fury has been sparked by the government's failure to publish guidelines on the smoking ban.
More than a week after the July 1 start-date for the legislation was announced, the pub trade is still desperately awaiting the regulations.
In a strongly worded letter to health minister Caroline Flint, the Tourism Alliance, which represents trade associations in the sector, has branded the delay as "totally unacceptable".
Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, who compiled the letter, said: "It has gone beyond a sense of frustration, there is now the belief that our urgency is not being taken seriously.
"All they are trying to do is convert the Scottish regulations into English law and in that respect there should not have been a delay."
Concern exists that the regulations will not be laid before Parliament prior to the Christmas recess and will not emerge until the New Year, Hayward added.
Meanwhile the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers said the delays had created confusion and could "irreparably damage the pub trade".
The guidelines for the ban, contained within the Health Bill, are expected to cover issues such as the definition of an enclosed area, the signage required and penalties for non-compliance.
Publicans are also eager to see the guidelines. James Hilton, licensee at the Horseshoe in Matlock Green, Derbyshire, said: "I'm not prepared to spend thousands of pounds to have something built to find that it doesn't comply.
"But we would like to get the ball rolling so we are ready in time. It's very frustrating."
John Pascoe, licensee at the Swan in Little Totham, Essex, said it was "ridiculous" that the government could still not tell the trade how the laws would operate precisely.
"They haven't told us anything about how they will work - I don't think they realise what they were letting themselves in for," he said.
In response a Department of Health spokesperson said the guidance would be published "in plenty of time before the new law comes into force".
Licensees who want to receive the regulations as soon as they are ready can register their details by calling 0800 1691697, or visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/stayinformed
The letter sent to Caroline Flint...
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE: ROB HAYWARD OBE
6th December 2006
Caroline Flint MP
Minister of State for Public Health
Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NS
I am writing to thank you for the announcement last week of the implementation date of the smoking ban in England and your choice of July 1st 2007.
As you know the tourism and hospitality sector has been pressing for what it deemed to be an appropriate date and July 1st meets our requirements well.
The sector is, however, very seriously concerned about the undue delay in the publication of the draft regulations, the importance of which I do not need to outline in detail. Industry and local government have been told persistently that the English (and therefore, Welsh) regulations will be virtually identical to the Scottish regulations. It is, therefore, totally unacceptable that we are still facing delays in the publication of the drafts, the absence of which indicates that government does not recognise their importance either for businesses or local government.
Could you please give us all a very clear commitment that the regulations will be laid before Parliament prior to the Christmas recess.
Rob Hayward
Chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association
On behalf of the Tourism Alliance
