BII roadshows raise concerns about smoking ban preparations

The opening rounds of a series of BII roadshows dedicated to the smoking ban raised concerns about troubled preparations for the start of the smoke-free era in England and Wales.

Delegates at the roadshows in Llandudno and Cardiff on February 7 and 8 pointed to inconsistency between councils in how the ban will be policed.

Ginny Blakey, head of tobacco policy at the Welsh Assembly, said that each local authority would be responsible for appointing a mixture of trading standards, environmental health and licensing officers to police and enforce the ban. "It may well be that people from trading standards, environmental health and licensing will be approached."

Graham Wall, operations director of south Wales pubco Consortium said his outlets had fallen victim to inconsistencies between the three councils that cover the group's seven pubs. "Our experience has varied. You go from one council that is very proactive to one that has done nothing at all to prepare," he said.

Blakey countered these worries by saying: "This is not an excuse for raising money by slapping fines on people. Officers will work closely with local pubs to advise them. Fines will be the last resort.

"The appointment of officers will not affect consistency because they will all be acting on the same guidance."

Many also accused government of providing the regulations simply too late for the trade to prepare for the ban, which begins in Wales on April 2 and England on July 1.

Stephen Oliver, Marstons managing director, said: "The amount of guidance from government has been appalling. Fortunately, it is now becoming clearer, but it is much later than we would have liked."