I am not the biggest fan of Anthony Worrall Thompson, but I think he is right to launch this partition for a review:
http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2011/08/24/339921/Anthony-Worrall-Thompson-launches-petition-for-smoking-ban.htm
There's no doubt the trade has suffered since the introdcution of the smoking ban. We are all adults. If people want to smoke and they can do so in a seperate well-ventilated room then what is there to complain about? I am signing up. Suggest anyone who cares about the pub trade does the same!
Crikey! will AWT EVER stop moaning! talk about glass half empty....or is that 'pub'
As Chairman of freedom2choose.info, the nations largest, grass roots, PRO-CHOICE organisation I categorically state that anyone with a semblance of common sense must support this petition. In 4 years (5 in Scotland) we have seen 9,000 + businesses finished off, all because of this evil, spiteful, restrictive and socially destructive ban was imposed. All other european conuntries have some sort of ban and therefore some form of choice, but not us! How ludicrous is that? We are, supposedly, a democratic country yet we sit under a health lobby dictatorship-basically governed by a 'charity status' quango named ASH! ASH do not care how many businesses close down, they are in business to persecute smokers-and persecute they will! They were originally set up by the RCP to advise-not virtually dictate the enactment of laws that crucify 25% of the population! Talking of 25%, if the ban is SO popular and SO many people have given up smoking, why is it that 25% of the population still smoke-exactly the same as 4 years ago? Government moan about the illegal tobacco flooding the country-who caused the problem?
S Ireland saw their smoking rates go up, not down-who caused that problem?
Unemployment within the hospitality sector continues to rise-who caused that problem?
Less people go out socialising now-who caused that problem?
This law, if there ever needed to be such a law, was implemented totally wrongly, there should always have been choice. I am a non smoker but the smell of cigarette smoke doesn't bother me yet, since this law was enacted we see so many amateur dramatics, as people fend off the merest wisp of smoke, that it has become ridiculous. Licensees have lost as much as £200,000, as tenants of a now defunct pub/business-where is their compensation from a government hellbent on social destruction? This ban needs to be amended, and rapidly which is why freedom2choose.info have thrown their full weight behind this petition. Yours sincerely Phil Johnson, Chairman, freedom2choose.info
"Evil"? Lordy...a bit strong
I think we should ban the law that makes us wear seat belts in cars too. I remember that wasn't a popular decision which was forced on us either.
Most of my friends, including myself, have given up smoking now (due to both social stigma and health reasons) and I do feel for both the pubs and for those who are still addicted. However, I don't wish to see my freinds and loved ones encouraged to die by anyone no matter how many businesses it may save...call me selfish / evil!
I have recently taken of a pub, this is a non food and (most of the time) Non Children Pub, We are a live music venue with 200 cap.
On our quieter days we might have up to 40 people cramped into our smoking area and NO one inside. What is the sense in that. Even our Bar staff smoke, so there is no problem on that side. So i will be signing up and hoping that the government might listen to reason.
Please give the Licensee the option of how to run their business. The General Public have the option where to go.
Quote:- "I don't wish to see my friends and loved ones encouraged to die by anyone no matter how many businesses it may save...call me selfish / evil!"
Who is encouraging anyone to die?
If that is your point then we had better ban:-
beefburgers
greasy fish n chips
bacon
red meats,
processed meats
milk
coffee
overhead power cables
the entire motor industry
sitting watching TV
mobile phones....shall I carry on?
When the health lobby have finished with drinkers and our weighty friends there won't be any pubs left worth calling pubs. there will be plenty of dull boring food houses that happen to serve beer once they have enticed punters in with 2 free meals. The good old British boozer is on its way out, which is tragic but the new puritanical brigade will not stop until they think they have saved the nation-only to find that people are still pegging out from cancer etc! Take the first year of the ban for instance. Cancer cases (M): 4% rise. (F) 3.75%. Oh dear, what has gone wrong here then? Note the puritanical brigade don't trumpet this bit of info about! I have also given up smoking, no NRT (98.4% FAILURE rate), no hypnotherapy, no social stigma or disgraceful denormalisation - just willpower. But "Silentcuatomer", I no longer bother with the pubs either for they have turned into soul-less, boring, insipid buildings that have lost all their charisma and now stink of BO & cleaning fluids. Instead, I join all my smoking friends in their houses or gardens - much more fun!
The one thing that has truly amazed me has been the total lack of fight by the British licensees (save 3 or 4 who did stick their necks out). After what I've witnessed over the past 4 years the government does not deserve to be in a position to gain any revenue from smokers or pubs-then where would they be? Bankrupt.
Sand says:-Please give the Licensee the option of how to run their business. The General Public have the option where to go".....and that is exactly right, people are entitled to their own freedom of choice. Consenting adults do not need some idiotic nanny state interfering in their live. We are only here once, so we might as well enjoy what we've got!
Further to my previous post, our licensees should contemplate exactly what our Unions are for?
http://freedom2choose.info/news_viewer.php?id=1264
"So i will be signing up and hoping that the government might listen to reason." everybody needs to sign AWT's petition, just to show this namby-pamby government that people are not happy. If this is allowed to pass by unnoticed there will be no hope for future generations who may wonder where all their freedoms went!
I have no objections to the smoking ban at all. Yes, I am a non-smoker but my partner is. Since the ban, he smokes less and for the sake of his health I welcomed the ban. And for me, going to the pub has become a more pleasurable experience.
The smoking ban has gone part way to contributing to the decline of those eating and drinking out but it is much more involved than this. Let's just say that the government do allow a reversal of some kind by way of allowing businesses to partition smoking from non smoking areas in the building and let's say that, on the basis that you can get staff who sign up to agree to work under these conditions, then who is responsible for the cost of partitioning areas.....surely not the government??!!!????
Reversing the smoking ban is grasping at straws....review of rateable values = business rates more frequently, free and independant support on this and whether landlord rent is fair (independant landlords included...there is too much imphasis on pubco's and not enough on other landlords) and zero VAT on food to the end customer (particularly when a business cannot claim back on VAT that is not charged on most food supplies) are all more crucially important factors to consider right now!
Economy of scale strength in purchasing and marketing with a strong brand is also a problem. Supermarkets using loss leading techniques to promote other products and great deals on way's to eat at home....supported I may add by 'celebrity chef's' who show cooking from home made easy adds to the problem.
20% VAT on alcohol/drinks (instead of 5%) to the end customer does not help either. I won't even go into music licence and utility costs!!
Look at the bigger picture and help to break down the other barriers to help sustain and keep viable smaller businesses in hospitality!
About time somebody spoke up for common sense. Pitty our leaders dont represent us anymore. I smoke twice as much since the ban because I have to sit with loads of smokers out in the cold. Further more, I now don't go into restaurants because of the ban.
I am surprised that this debate is still meandering around the bar looking for friends. The ban on smoking in bars is showing to be a success around the world, yes its not just here where smoking bans are in place. I have noted is that the ban is being used as a scapegoat for the Hospitality industries real threat and weakness.
1. Cheap booze from Supermarkets, who can sell at low prices and high volumes. People can simple turn the garage or lounge into a bar get blind drunk beyond the point where bar staff stop them. The simple fact that while so many shops, supermarkets and corner store sells unlimited alcohol to everyone it can then we will have a fight on our hands. When your corner shop can sell you beer and spirits cheaper than the pub and your local M&S has a more varied wine list and matching menu the fight gets harder.
2. Media and guest expectations have changed faster than the industry, Every time a celebrity restaurant show "Master Kitchen" or "Hospitality Nightmare" show goes to air the customer is enlightened and that is a fantastic thing. Except that then they go to the local pub bar or cafe, well it can be a bit sad. The sad thing is that the real world is a lot harder than any elimination show there is no room for second chances. Basically we need to up the game we need to have not the best of British food, but British being the best food in the whole damn world, with the best chefs, service, rooms and hospitality.
If we can sorting those two points then no petition will help but only hinder. Both these point are not unique to the UK though they are certainly the same as in New Zealand where I have just returned from. So unless the petition is going global then it will be as much use as an ash try to stop fag end being flicked on to the floor.
I am all for the smoking ban. I am a non-smoker and rememebr working in a hotel bar where guests could smoke cigars!! Every friday and saturday night I would finish my shift with sore eyes and throat and breathing problems. Even if your staff are smokers it cannot be healthy for them to spend hours in a smoke filled enviroment.
This said I think people should have a choice and in other countries they have sealed and ventilated rooms where people can smoke, I am up fot this solution as long as staff are not allowed to enter those, customer can easily go to the bar and get their drinks there.
