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LANDLORD John Kirwin says the ban will cause havoc
'Smoke ban will choke the life out of our pubs'
Simon Thacker8/ 6/2007
MANCHESTER pub bosses say their customers will be left fuming when a smoking ban stopping them from lighting up indoors comes into force next month.
The law change which comes into action on 1 July will stop people from smoking in any enclosed spaces which are open to the public including work places.
The legislation is part of the Health Act which is introducing a package of reforms in a bid to make Britain healthier.
Under the law, pubs could face a fine of up to £2,500 if they fail to stop customers from smoking and people can also be fined for failing to display non-smoking signs.
But pub bosses in north east Manchester say they fear the ban could be disastrous for business as it could make smokers stay away from bars in droves.
One of them is John Kirwin of the Oddfellows Arms, Abbey Hey Lane, Openshaw.
He said: "We are in the middle of a refurbishment at the moment but we have no shelter for smokers to go to. I think this ban could cause absolute havoc.
"People have really been talking about it and although it's the law they are certainly not happy about it.
"In the mornings we get a lot of older people in and many of them smoke roll-ups. How are you supposed to send them outside?"
Matt Foster of the Crown and Kettle on Oldham Street, Ancoats said: "Pubs are already struggling for trade as they have to compete with supermarkets who sell beer cheaper.
"People might stop bothering coming to pubs and just have a barbecue outside instead during the summer where they can smoke as much as they like."
Andrew O'Dwyer chair of the Manchester Pub and Club Network and director of Pure Space Cafe bar said "Manchester is a leading UK city and as such we should be the one's to set an example.
"Licensees are aware that if a smoke free city is to work in the north west then they need to be right behind the campaign from the outset and let their customers know they will not tolerate breaking the law."
Smoking ban factfile
- Under the new laws, it will be an offence to smoke in a smoke-free area or not to stop someone else from doing so.
- It will also be an offence not to display signs telling people about the ban.
- A total smoking ban is set to come into force in Scotland with Northern Ireland following suit in April next year
- The Health Bill will give the Welsh Assembly the right to decide for itself whether to bring in the ban although it has twice approved it in principle
- Research shows that about 33 per cent of people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day will have their first within five minutes of waking
- The Government was originally looking to bring in a partial ban for pubs serving food. This was scrapped amid fears it could increase health inequalities among customers and staff.
- It has been estimated that a whopping 600,000 people could kick the habit as a result of the smoking ban.
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16/06/2007 at 13:03