Smoking ban is way to go

Jan 25 2005 By Karen Mclauchlan Evening Gazette

Pub group Wetherspoons this week made its anti-smoking stance clear - announcing a complete ban at all its outlets by May 2006.

While some have argued banning smoking is a threat to the pub, club and restaurant business, Wetherspoons will no doubt be hoping others follow its lead.

The Government's White Paper has outlined plans to stop people lighting up in most licensed premises such as pubs and bars - with the new laws expected to be in effect by 2008.

Exemptions will only apply to pubs which do not serve prepared food, and private clubs where the majority of members vote to allow smoking.

Wetherspoons' pubs will be smoke-free two years ahead of that deadline.

The pub group's chairman Tim Martin said: "An increasing percentage of the population are giving up smoking and a significant number of people are staying away from pubs and restaurants because they are too smoky. We have pioneered non-smoking areas but we now feel it is the right time to go one step further."

The TUC has welcomed the announcement and called on other companies to follow suit.

General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "One of Britain's biggest pub chains is acting to save its staff from the dangers of second-hand smoke."

I agree it's the right move to make - and hope others follow suit.

We all know there's no upside to smoking - it's bad for our health and for the health of those around us. At the same time I'm all for freedom of choice.

But if someone wants to smoke, they should do it where the only one affected is themselves.

There is nothing worse than coming home from a bar or club after an evening out and finding your clothes smell of smoke. As much as someone should have the choice to light up or not, I should have the right to choose wether or not to sit surrounded by their smoke when I'm out.