Page 1 of Smoking Ban - or is it a food ban?

Sky News are reporting details of the white paper on health which covers smoking ban.

This is what they say "Smoking is to be banned in all work places, restaurants and pubs that serve food. There will also be a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces."

If this is true then it seems the plans would mean that publicans who wish to serve food, must adhere to the smoking ban, whereas other bars are excempt.

So perhaps pubs will stop serving food rather than ban smokers?

One other point - isn`t a pub a `workplace`? How then can you allow smoking in ANY bar?

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One other point - isn`t a pub a `workplace`? How then can you allow smoking in ANY bar?

With a single line in the contract.

As for the food point, it would look like they won`t stop smokers where there is no food. Maybe it`s just a gradual introduction of the system rather than having zero tolerance from day one.

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So perhaps pubs will stop serving food rather than ban smokers?

Therein lies the caveat - a lot of back street pubs will simply stop serving food. Does seem a little self-defeating this legislation, not least because bar staff are still employees !!!

Our smoking room at work will go soon - I can see central Government imposing this one on all Crown buildings pretty darned quickly.

No mind - as long as they put an ashtray outside, I have no real problem with that...Otherwise, we`ll get a £50 fine from the eager Nottm CIty Council town wardens :(

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Clayts, Moderator, DVD Reviewer
UK webmaster for Area 450 the independent Sampo/Maxent DVD site

This item was edited on Tuesday, 16th November 2004, 00:23

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Our smoking room at work will go soon - I can see central Government imposing this one on all Crown buildings pretty darned quickly.

clayts - I seem to remember you saying you`re in the civil service? At our building in Edinburgh they have done away with smoking rooms and have smoking shelters outside (which look like bus shelters!). Can`t be too exciting in typical Scottish rainy weather like today.

But what about pubs that don`t have food but have SKY football? This is the only way a lot of peope can watch football. Unless there is a total ban then it will be impossible to find a pub that shows Sky with a smoking ban. I`m sick to death of having my clothes stink of stale smoke, not to mention what my lungs & eyes feel like everytime we go out to watch Sky football etc.

I think it should just be a total ban from the off. Having given up, this may appear selfish, but I think it would encourage lots more to give up. Only one negative - if its true that it will only be places with food it could lead to some pubs that specialise in beer - a novel idea - only downside would be they are full of smoke.

Spartacus

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One other point - isn`t a pub a `workplace`? How then can you allow smoking in ANY bar?

Where do you draw the line at what is classified as a workplace. Surely somebody works just about everywhere, even outdoors.

Sam.



"Due to budget cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been extinguished." Spike Milligan

There is NO middle line on Smoking & NO middle line on hunting. Both should have a total ban.

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So perhaps pubs will stop serving food rather than ban smokers?

You ask any publican that does both what makes them most money.
It`s always always always food ( I mean proper hot meals,not snacks/sandwiches )
There`s no way a pub already serving food will stop doing it.
Do you know what the mark-up is on,for example,a steak ?
They`d have to sell a helluva lot of booze to make the same profit.

For info ... all Government buildings here in NI are to impose a total smoking ban from January 2005. Staff can`t smoke at the entrance to the building or withing a designated distance from the entrance. No messing about ...

A total ban from smoking in public places in England or nothing. It just won`t work. Just another example of half-hearted policy making by our leaders.