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24/01/2005
Smoking ban to be enforced early at Wetherspoon pubs
Pub chain, J.D. Wetherspoon have announced that they will ban smoking in all their premises by May 2006, two years before the government restrictions are due to come into force.
The pub chain, which already offers non-smoking areas in its bars, will also impose a ban in 60 of its 650 UK pubs this year. All Wetherspoon's premises in London, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham and Nottingham will become smoke-free from May this year.
Wetherspoon's announced that it wished to bring in a full ban in their pubs, two years before the government ban comes into effect. The government's White Paper, 'Choosing Health', which was released last November, included plans to ban smoking in public places and work places by the end of 2007. However, restrictions for licensed premises were not due to come into force until the end of 2008.
The decision by J.D. Wetherspoon to ban smoking in its pubs has been welcomed by the Trades Union Congress. Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said: "One of Britain's biggest pub chains is acting to save its staff from the dangers of lethal second-hand smoke. The bogus argument that banning smoking is a threat to the pub, club and restaurant business must now fall flat on its face."
Deborah Arnott, Director of the health campaign group, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: "Once again, J.D. Wetherspoon is at the forefront of policy development and is responding to customer demand. This is very encouraging news and we're sure that now Wetherspoon has set the trend, other pub chains will soon follow suit."
(KMcA/SP)
The pub chain, which already offers non-smoking areas in its bars, will also impose a ban in 60 of its 650 UK pubs this year. All Wetherspoon's premises in London, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham and Nottingham will become smoke-free from May this year.
Wetherspoon's announced that it wished to bring in a full ban in their pubs, two years before the government ban comes into effect. The government's White Paper, 'Choosing Health', which was released last November, included plans to ban smoking in public places and work places by the end of 2007. However, restrictions for licensed premises were not due to come into force until the end of 2008.
The decision by J.D. Wetherspoon to ban smoking in its pubs has been welcomed by the Trades Union Congress. Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said: "One of Britain's biggest pub chains is acting to save its staff from the dangers of lethal second-hand smoke. The bogus argument that banning smoking is a threat to the pub, club and restaurant business must now fall flat on its face."
Deborah Arnott, Director of the health campaign group, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: "Once again, J.D. Wetherspoon is at the forefront of policy development and is responding to customer demand. This is very encouraging news and we're sure that now Wetherspoon has set the trend, other pub chains will soon follow suit."
(KMcA/SP)
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Wetherspoon to make all pubs non-smoking
Pub chain J D Wetherspoon has reported a 2% drop in third quarter sales and noted a slight decrease in beer sales purchases in its non-smoking pubs. However, Wetherspoon said trading at non-smoking pubs had been in line with its expectations, and although food sales had increased, the company said these pubs had experienced some margin pressure.
Wetherspoon to make all pubs non-smoking
Pub chain J D Wetherspoon has reported a 2% drop in third quarter sales and noted a slight decrease in beer sales purchases in its non-smoking pubs. However, Wetherspoon said trading at non-smoking pubs had been in line with its expectations, and although food sales had increased, the company said these pubs had experienced some margin pressure.
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Scottish executive backs smoking ban
The Scottish executive has today confirmed that it will seek a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places. In order to enforce the ban, pubs and restaurants that fail to enforce the law will face fines up to a maximum of £2,500.
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Cabinet split on smoking delays health bill
The government’s health improvement bill has been delayed amid reports of a Cabinet row over the proposed anti-smoking legislation. The row between Cabinet ministers erupted over proposed exemptions to a smoking ban in England.
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