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Lobbyists pressure MPs to relax Smokefree law

Pro-smoking group FOREST pressured MPs yesterday to amend the smoking ban and allow licensed smoking rooms in pubs and clubs. Speaking at a House of Commons reception hosted by Tory MP Philip Davies the group’s director Simon Clark highlighted the plight of pubs to an audience of MPs. Handing them each a complimentary Montecristo No. 2 cigar, he said: “Many pubs and clubs have suffered serious economic hardship and for many smokers the social impact has been equally severe. It is very unfair, especially on older smokers. For some mental health sufferers the impact of the ban has been devastating.

"Smokers are not going to disappear like a puff of smoke, so let’s be fair and practical about this. We are asking the government to amend the legislation so that pubs and clubs can apply for a license to introduce well-ventilated separate smoking rooms. We want to bring back some element of choice for consumers, owners, and members of staff.” Clark will launch FOREST's renewed ‘Amend the Smoking Ban’ campaign exactly a year after the ban’s implementation, supported by documents detailing its social and economic impact.

Source: The Publican, 1st July 2008
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