Call for smoke-ban light touch

Trade leaders have called for "light touch" enforcement of the smoking ban by councils.

Speaking to an audience of local authority officials at a conference last week,

the BII's director of membership Steve Howe said enforcement officers should distinguish between venues that blatantly contravene the ban and those that try to uphold it.

He gave the example of a pub where one customer is found having a "sneaky cigarette" in the toilet.

"What we plead for is a light touch early on," said Howe. "I'm sure that's what you are planning anyway. Let's encourage a spirit of co-operation."

Bar Entertainment & Dance Association (BEDA) executive director Paul Smith echoed this point. He said: "What we need to do is work to a protocol where licensees can contact local authorities when they are experiencing non-compliance, rather than getting the anonymous phone call that someone has been smoking in the Dog & Duck on Friday night.

"We need to have some kind of honest dialogue to manage that customer non-compliance."

Local authority officials expressed concern about the lack of clear definitions in the smoking ban guidelines.

One issue raised was whether a covered courtyard would be classed as a substantially enclosed place.

Smith said: "There's still some understanding that needs to be reached on courtyards."

Earlier, health minister Caroline Flint urged councils to "engage with business" and "try to pre-empt any questions they may have".

She told the conference, hosted by local government bodies LGA and LACORS, that councils "shouldn't under-estimate" the amount of work involved in preparation for the ban, which will effect 3.7 million business and 200,000 licensed outlets in England.

Flint said: "We can't take anything for granted. There's lots more work to do to support businesses. It's achievable, but it will be very hard work."

beating the craving with hypnotherapy

An Essex pub will use hypnotherapy to help punters quit smoking before the national stub-out. Harley Street hypnotherapist Pete Moule will hold a group session at his local, the Endeavour in Chelmsford, on 17 March.

Sessions are offered at a knock-down rate of £70 an hour, which includes a support CD. So far, 10 punters have signed up, including tenant Mike Mitchell, who used Moule to overcome his fear of flying.

"It'll be the first time I've tried to give up, but it's got to be worth a try," Mitchell said.

"I've smoked all my life. Until now I've not wanted to give up. The problem is, when 1 July comes, just because it's my pub doesn't mean I can smoke in it."

He added: "We are really pleased with the solution we offer and think this could be a good way forward for lots of smokers."

Mitchell said that if it proves successful, repeat sessions may be held at the pub, which is owned by Essex-operator Gray & Sons.