Welsh licensee hits out at 'heavy-handed smoke police'

A Swansea licensee has hit out at 'heavy-handed smoke police' who visited his pub and declared his smoke shelter illegal.

Richie Saunders of the Carpenter's Arms was told by council officers that the outside smoking area at his pub did not meet regulations and he was forced to pull some of it down before it could be used.

Saunders told the South Wales Evening Post: "The smoking police told me the area has to be 50 per cent open, but they decided mine was just 45 per cent.​

"So they told me I had to take the sides down and I had until 5pm to do so.

"It didn't given me any time to contact the builder who could do the job for me.

"Their reaction was very heavy-handed, they could have given me a bit of time and used a bit of common sense."

However a spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The council's smoking enforcement team called to the Carpenters Arms on the request of the landlord.​

"The purpose of the visit was to advise and help him ensure his establishment complied with the new no smoking legislation. We provided him with signage for inside the pub which is required by law.

"The outdoor designated no smoking area was not compliant with the legislation. Officers advised on what was required to ensure it was compliant. All outdoor buildings that are provided as outdoor smoking areas in licensed premises or other businesses must not be more than 50 per cent enclosed.

"Mr Saunders was informed that until the changes were made he would be unable to utilise the area as an outdoor smoking area."