Licensees' fury over council's backing for blanket ban

Licensees in the London borough of Camden are furious that local councillors have come out in favour of a blanket smoking ban.​ In response to a government consultation, Camden Council has recommended ministers go further than their proposal for a ban in pubs that serve food, and introduce a full ban.

Mick Doheny, licensee at the World's End, in Camden, and chairman of the Camden Inner London Licensing Association, is aggrieved the council is taking this stance.

"We are not in favour of a total ban or even the current proposals," he said. "I think there should be designated smoking areas to cater for smokers.

"Here we operate a pub and music venue, so a ban would hit us particularly hard.

"We would like to be able to give our customers the choice."

Sarah Hurley, licensee at the Good Mixer, also in Camden, said: "I don't think Camden Council is taking publicans seriously and taking our views on board.

"If a blanket ban was introduced, it would really affect us."

Councillor John Thane, Camden Council's executive member for the environment, explained why it was backing a full ban.

"We believe that if the bill is passed, the exemptions would cause confusion for customers and create a greater social health divide as pubs which cater for lower income groups tend not to serve food," he said.

The council also pointed to evidence that smoking bans not only reduced the level of smoking at the workplace, restaurant or pub itself, but also in the homes of smokers, as the message gets through that smoking in other people's presence is unacceptable.

If you would like to put your views forward on the Department of Health consultation email arjf@gurchoyvpna.pbz​.