Smoke group gets political ally
The campaign group which is attempting to overturn the smoking ban has joined forces with the UK Independence Party (UKIP).
Freedom to Choose has pledged to bring UKIP the support of its followers in May's local elections in return for its pledge to allow licensees to provide ventilated no-smoking areas.
What is unacceptable is that this Government thinks it can impose its own solutions in private spaces. It is none of their business to legislate on moralityUKIP leader Nigel Farage
Pubs could even display UKIP posters with the slogan "Vote UKIP if you want to continue smoking in this pub."
Nigel Farage UKIP's leader told the MA: "I am delighted to support Freedom to Choose.
"It is all very simple. Either we are adults or we are not.
"If we believe that the people of the British Isles are responsible for themselves and their lives then we must allow them to choose how the live by themselves.
"If a publican wishes to go smoke free. Great, that is their choice. If they don't, that is also their choice.
"What is unacceptable is that this Government thinks it can impose its own solutions in private spaces. It is none of their business to legislate on morality.
"UKIP believes in independence, not just for our country from the EU, and the current plans for an EU wide smoking ban are a disgrace, but also in independence of people from pettifogging rules on subjects that are best left to individuals to decide"
Freedom to Choose spokesman Robert Feal-Martinez said: "We will be encouraging all publicans who wish to have choice to openly support UKIP in coming elections. We are talking about potentially a lot of voters."
