Trade chiefs to cast eye over smoking licences
by Ewan Turney
Industry chiefs are set to explore the option of pressing the Government to introduce smoking licences following a call from one of Britain's most respected licensees.
BII central region chairman and National Parliamentary Committee member Bernard Brindley will float the idea of smoking licences at the forthcoming industry leaders' smoking forum on 10 August. His call is set to be backed by Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish.
Brindley believes there must be a level playing field when it comes to any ban and that introducing smoking licences would 'give pubs another option.
Those pubs, clubs or private members' clubs wishing to continue smoking would have to meet strict national criteria set in conjunction with licensees.
The guidelines would include good quality ventilation and significant protection of children from smoke. The Italian government has recently introduced similar measures where pubs have to meet certain ventilation standards for smoking to be permitted.
'I know it is another licence but it is a way of giving a different life to premises where a ban would destroy trade and possibly force closure, he said. 'The licence would cost but not as much as closures would.
Bish believes smoking licences are 'definitely the way to go as long as the 'nightmare of any local authority involvement is curtailed.
He said: 'It could be a complete exemption for some premises, a smoking room for others or quite frankly, and I think we should look at this still, a split between the evening and lunch time. The food-and- drink smoking split would only make sense if it works for the customer and not the Government.
However, British Beer & Pub Association director of communications Mark Hastings said that another licensing system may cause further confusion.
'I think we have enough of a challenge with one licensing system without having to deal with another one, he said.
'I don't know how this would fit in with the Government's objectives on this legislation which is about the protection of staff.
