Bosses air mixed views on proposals

The news of the smoking ban has received a mixed reception from pubco bosses with some generally satisfied, some angry and others simply disappointed.

One senior trade leader, who wished to remain anonymous, said he believed the pubcos would not criticise the policy too severely due to the fear of instigating a further fall in share prices.

Everyone agrees the main positive is that the local authorities are not involved.

Visions of a patchwork ban and the idea that on one side of the street you could happily enjoy a fag and a pint but not on the other was, without question, the worse case scenario. "It is better than the nightmare of devolution," said Laurel chief executive Ian Payne. "That was our number-one fear."

Also being praised is the timescale whereby pubs have to have "arrangements in place" by the end of 2008. This could mean that a further year's transition period could be instigated. "People shouldn't panic," said Greene King Pub Partners managing director David Elliott.

Francis Patton, Punch Taverns customer services director, added: "The announcement falls broadly in line with our own thinking."

Barracuda also welcomed the move and expected customers would still come out to the pub.

However, high street operators Yates and JD Wetherspoon were less than impressed with the move. Yates chief executive Mark Jones slammed the proposals as a "potentially unworkable solution".

JD Wetherspoon branded the White Paper a "fudge" and an opportunity missed to instigate a total ban. Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "The Government should ban smoking in all pubs as in Ireland and New York."