SMOKING BAN - WHY? - WHEN GOOD VENTILATION IS A FAR BETTER SOLUTION!

There are ever increasing restrictions being placed on where people can and cannot smoke. And rightly so.

The smoker quite accepts that in certain environments smoking is totally out of the question. On public transport it would be unthinkable to the vast majority of smokers to attempt to light up. Even in restaurants a lot of smokers do go without a cigarette over the course of the meal, or are often seen taking a break from the actual dining area for a quick puff.

BUT A SMOKING BAN IN THE PUB!

Surely banning smoking in the pub is simply banning the smoker.

Why not get rid of the smoke and keep the smoker - & his custom.

Where compulsory restrictions or bans have been made there is irrefutable evidence that the result has been a loss of business and jobs.

The Toronto smoking ban in bars and restaurants was devastating - takings dropped between 15 and 3511/o (Source-Canadian Restaurant Association).

According to the US National Licensed Beverage Association, the Californian smoking ban caused the closure of businesses, cost jobs and even had a negative effect on tourism. (Source-Beverly Swanson).

New York has recently joined the list of cities operating a total ban, and it will be interesting to see how the New Yorker takes to this.

Did you know that around 40% of adult pub goers smoke - and that 80% of pub users have smokers in their group.

People are not necessarily going to drink or smoke less - more likely they will change venue - probably to the house and take the smoke home to the kids.

When the Californian ban came into effect, non-public private clubs opened for business - including cigar clubs, and some major venues took their custom across the state line.

Litigation - People are Prepared to Sue and Solicitors are only too willing to
Help - No win - No fee.

Several cases have already reached settlement out of court.

FACTS:

The indoor air quality in our homes and offices is between 4 & 10 times more polluted than outdoor air,, and that's without cigarette smoke, so imagine what it is like In a smoke filled pub.

Staff spend more time in the pub than the customers do.

Health & Safety regulation require employers to provide ""adequate" ventilation for staff - although this Is not law - if this simple and easy to achieve recommendation is not adhered to, then a ban will be inevitable.