LVA lobbies MPs on smoke ban relaxation

A Sussex-based trade body has written to three local MPs urging them to back a bid to relax the smoking ban.

The 1066 LVA, based in Hastings, is backing the Private Members Bill from Conservative MP David Nuttall that wants to give pubs the choice of whether to allow smoking.

Joe O'Riordan, secretary of the LVA, has written to MPs Amber Rudd (Hastings & Rye), Gregory Barker (Bexhill & Battle) and Norman Baker (Lewes).

"This association has members in each of your constituencies and would appreciate your support of this Bill," the letter says.

"This is not about reversing the original ban; it is about freedom of choice, to allow a licensee the right to choose whether customers can smoke on their premises.

"Let consumers decide for themselves which premises they want to socialise in.

"There were varied reasons for the closure of pubs in recent times but unquestionably following the implementation of the smoking ban in 1997 the rate of closures increased dramatically. There were 175m fewer pints sold in the first nine months from July 2007.

"It must be remembered that the 1997 Labour Administration pre-election Manifesto promised that the smoking ban, when introduced, would exclude public houses and restaurants.

"As with so many matters they went back on their word."

The LVA backed the right to smoking rooms if air filtration systems "that satisfy set Government criteria" are fitted.

The Public Houses and Private Members' Clubs (Smoking) Bill is to be introduced in the Commons on 13 October.

O'Riordan also called on the MPs to sign the Early Day Motion from Brian Binley MP calling for a review of the ban - 31 MPs have signed it to date.

- Have you asking your MP to back the Bill? Email john.harrington@william-reed.co.uk or call 01293 610481.