UKIP raises concern over EC smoke ban plans

The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has raised major concerns about new EU plans on smoking, which it claims could lead to a clampdown on smokers outside pubs.

The European Commission today called on all its member states to bring in laws to protect people against tobacco smoke by 2012.

But it has also recommended current smoke-free laws be "enhanced", which includes extending the definition of a public place.

It says that laws on a public place should be defined as "broadly as possible" and recommends "indoor" (or "enclosed") areas are defined to include "any space covered by a roof or enclosed by one or more walls or sides, regardless of the type of material used for the roof, wall or sides, and regardless of whether the structure is permanent or temporary."

UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom said: "Enough is enough. Today six pubs will close in the UK. Today part of our culture is under threat. Today is the time to say enough is enough. These jumped up puritan dictators must be told where to get off."

However, there is no direct mention of pubs in any of the guidelines.

And Mark Hastings, director of communications at the British Beer & Pub Association, remained unconcerned the plans would become reality anytime soon.

"These sorts of proposals come up in Brussels as regularly as night follows day and in the same way they stand as much chance of surviving as an ice-cube on Wimbledon centre court," he said.