There is a misapprehension about the "smoking allowed throughout" Charter policy. It has been described as a "cop out" or a "do nothing" option. This is both inaccurate and unfair on those premises that have selected the policy. Smoking Allowed Throughout:
is a demonstration that the pub or bar is actually engaged in Charter activity;
includes those no-smoking areas that cannot be specifically defined: "No Smoking at the Bar" falls into this category;
includes significant ventilation but which does not reach the standard required for a "Ventilated" option. The nature of the building, may prevent the creation of defined separate areas. Budgetary restrictions may mean that only modest investment in ventilation can be made. It is therefore certain that a lot of Charter activity is taking place within the Smoking Allowed Throughout policy definition and the industry should not accept ill-informed criticism that diminishes its efforts. It remains possible for us to redefine and extend the present number of policy options. For ex-ample, it may be that "No Smoking at the Bar" is a valid new alternative. The Charter Group would welcome suggestions for other alternative policies that properly reflect the different circumstances that apply in licensed premises and at different times of the day. Nick Bish Chief Executive Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) Ban would be a disaster There is much speculation that the Government may attempt to ban smoking in pubs. Having been in the trade over 30 years, I was trained to believe that pub bars are an extension to the landlord's front room, also that, despite their name, pubs are private property to which the public have access. Hence the "landlord's prerogative". I still think this way, and I feel I speak for many colleagues when I say that any attempt by the Government to ban smoking is an infringement of our, and our customer's human rights. To operate a blanket ban without consultation with customers and licensees would be disastrous for the pub trade and I would doubt its legality. This pub has a separate room that is a designated non-smoking area and is suitable for either eating or drinking in. It is used for neither as most customers are happy to stay in the bar where adequate air scrubber machines are installed we also display notices about designated areas. Contrary to popular belief, 75% of the customers using this pub are smokers, not the reverse. Finally, I am not convinced about passive smoking causing cancer. There is insufficient concrete evidence and, in any case, if a customer chooses to sit in a room where people are smoking, surely it is their prerogative. Pubs are places designed for socialising. Smoking, swearing (which we do not condone) and drinking are part of that social experience. Enough said? Howard Armstrong The Lighthouse Inn St Brides Newport Gwent NP10 8SH Looming out of a bar-room fog Mike Lloyd (MA, 5 June) claims I have never be seen in the Lower Red Lion in St Albans, which I had said was an uncomfortable pub to drink in as a result of the high level of tobacco smoke. Perhaps I turned into Banquo's ghost on the two occasions in recent years when Camra head office staff held their Christmas lunch in the pub. They are not the only times I have been there. Mr Lloyd should also read more carefully. I did not say the pub was called the Lower Red Lion as a result of its low ceilings. I said it was so-called because there used to be another pub nearby and uphill called the Red Lion. To be charitable to Mr Lloyd, perhaps the smoke got in his eyes when he was reading the MA. Roger Protz St Albans Herts Swearing by JDW stand We wholeheartedly agree with JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin. The Stockyard Truckstop, which is also open to the public, has always tried to maintain high levels of decency. Over the four years since the Stockyard opened, we have enforced a total ban on offensive swearing, while also supporting the local Cancer Appeal via a swear box. Needless to say, this box was filled many times before the message got through! I am 66-years-old and well remember good pubs and working men's clubs where swearing was never heard, but then we had standards and discipline and people knew how to behave in public. Trevor Potts by e-mail Cider needs a wake-up call It's always nice to be quoted (back page, Morning Advertiser, 5 June) but especially when it's within context! My comments to an assembled company at an ALMR seminar last year, when draught cider was described as "a loser's drink", was a direct quote from a male, early 20s consumer in a consumer research group discussion. As a consumer, I personally believe that cider can be, at its best, as rewarding and interesting a drink as cask-conditioned ale. However, the trouble is that there is too much draught cider on the market that doesn't measure up and is too commercialised it is this product that generates a bad press among young consumers. The cider industry needs a wake-up call and is ripe for exploitation by dedicated craft cider makers with a passion for their product and an interest in taste over turnover. Happily, this trend is well under way. Austen McRoberts Managing Director Market Refreshment