Pubs in Britain volunteer for ban on smoking

A LARGE British pub chain announced significant steps towards a ban on smoking yesterday.

The Greene King Pub Company unveiled a new policy designed to reduce the number of outlets which allow smoking.

The moves are likely to include a ban on smoking in food-led pubs - making up almost half its 550 venues.

The changes come amid calls for a nationwide ban on smoking in public places which the company, part of the Greene King brewing giant, said was “almost inevitable”.

Four pubs became the first in the chain to convert to being non-smoking throughout earlier this month.

The intention is for one pub a week to switch, depending on the reaction of customers.

Adam Collett, the pub chain’s marketing director, said: “We believe in the rights of our customers to choose their own lifestyles.

“Equally, we respect the right of customers who prefer to enjoy our hospitality in a smoke-free environment.

“We think the changes will grow trade because many people are put off by a smoky atmosphere in pubs.

“We would certainly want all of our eating areas to be smoke-free over time.”

The ban is most likely to succeed in the chain’s 140 Hungry Horse family-orientated outlets, plus 50 dining pubs and 70 Old English inns, which have accommodation attached.

The company’s new policy also pledges to increase non-smoking areas and to have a non-smoking section in bars wherever possible.

The British Government has so far refused to commit itself to introducing a public smoking ban, instead relying on voluntary initiatives.

The British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson have been behind increasing calls for stronger action.

In a poll of more than 1,500 adults by market researchers Mintel earlier this year, 52% supported moves to outlaw smoking in places such as pubs, bars and restaurants.

Deborah Arnott, director of the health campaigning group Action on Smoking and Health, welcomed Greene King’s new policy.

She said: “We agree that a ban is inevitable and that for the pub trade, particularly those servicing food, it is in their interests to encourage non-smoking because it is good for business.

“If they don’t, they risk being the last bastion of the smokers.”

“All there needs to be is a proper process to give the hospitality trade time to plan, and a publicity campaign so that everyone knows what’s going to happen and when.

“That’s what they did in Ireland and that’s why their smoke-free laws have been so successful.”

Meanwhile, the government in Iran has approved a bill banning all tobacco advertising, smoking in public buildings and transport, and the sale of cigarettes tounder-18s.

The bill outlaws any “direct and indirect advertising or encouragement to lure people into smoking”, and bans “smoking in closed public places, public transportation vehicles and work environments”.

According to unofficial estimates, one in every six Iranians is a smoker.