British pubs to introduce smoke ban

SMOKING at the bar will be banned in a third of British pubs, it was announced yesterday.

By the end of the year, 22,000 pubs and bars will have banned smoking at bar areas, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. And within five years, 80% of pub space will become non-smoking.

Five pub chains have signed up to the move after gauging customer preferences.

Together, Enterprise Inns, Mitchells & Butlers, Punch Pub Company, Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises and Spirit Group, own more than a third of Britain’s pubs and bars.

Association spokesman Mark Hastings said: “Clearly they recognise non-smoking is on the increase and they want to reflect that. But we also believe in freedom of choice.

“While customers want more restrictions on smoking, only 20% would support a total ban in pubs.

Despite all the noise the government is making on smoking bans, we believe firmly in freedom of choice while smoking is a legal activity.”