Mulholland: smoking ban extension would be 'ludicrous'

Any plans to extend the smoking ban to door entrances and possibly beer gardens are "ludicrous", according to one pro-pub MP.

Lib Dem Greg Mulholland, also chair of the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, hit out at Government plans to review the smoking ban and consider whether it should be extended to door entrances or even beer gardens.

He has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament warning against such a move, which, he said, would lead to more people staying at home to drink and smoke.

This may put other family members and young children's health at risk, he warned.

"Just when pubs have got to grips with the smoking ban and have found ways to cater for non-smokers and smokers alike, this nanny state New Labour Government wants to ban something else," said Mulholland.

"This really is quite ludicrous as well as draconian and will cause more damage to pubs that are already hard hit in the current climate.

"It is as if members of the Government wake up, look at themselves in the mirror and think 'What can I do to damage the pub trade today?"

"It is high time Ministers woke up to the positive role that pubs play in communities and as a controlled, sociable drinking environment are actually an important part of the solution to problem dirking, rather than treating people as naughty children and trying to ban everything."