Protest over Stony Stratford smoking ban extension

A proposal to ban smoking on the streets of a Buckinghamshire town has been met with a 200-strong protest, forcing a meeting on the issue to be postponed until September.

The Publican's Morning Advertiser reported earlier this month how Stony Stratford town councillor Paul Bartlett had put forward a bylaw that would mean anyone lighting up in streets or public areas would be fined.

However, the proposal was met with concern by local publicans and pub trade groups who believed it would have a negative impact on the industry.

Among those who have spoken against the ban, according to the BBC, is UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who said it could stop people coming to the town, affecting local businesses.

Farage told the BBC: "We have already seen the horrific impact the smoking ban has had to the pub trade which has resulted in hundreds of pubs across the UK shutting down.

"If this new proposal in Stony goes through it will mean no more 'popping out for a smoke'.

"I have been listening to the concerns from the local business community and they believe that this will have a negative impact on the place.

"For local pubs it could well be the final nail in their coffin. For other businesses they feel people will simply stop coming to Stony."

Following the protest, the council decided to postpone the meeting on the proposal until 20 September. If implemented, the ban would be enforced by police community support officers.