The air's clearer but verdict on lighting up law still in a fug

The air's clearer but verdict on lighting up law still in a fug

One year on from the introduction of the smoking ban in Wales and public opinion across our region remains divided
TOMORROW marks the first anniversary of the implementation of the smoking ban in Wales.

The new regulations came into force at 6am on April 2 last year, making it illegal to light-up in any 'enclosed' or 'substantially enclosed' business or public place.

Today, the Leader asks landlords in Wrexham and Flintshire if the ban has hit trade and if it has made a major difference to pub goers in both counties.

According to health experts, the ban has already started to show short-term benefits to the health of the nation and there are expected to be significant long-term benefits.

Jean King is Cancer Research UK's director of tobacco control. Her work within the charity focuses on "trying to reduce the harm caused by tobacco".

She said: "The Government estimates that over one million people have tried to quit since the ban came in.

"There have been notable health benefits, particularly respiratory benefits for bar staff and studies in Scotland and France have shown reductions in acute heart problems since the smoking ban came in there.

"In terms of cancer, it is a long term thing and we would expect to see the benefits over the next decade. The legislation has been a major step in 'de-normalising' smoking.

"This was a real milestone, but it is by no means the end of the story. It is important that we have the support in place to help people give up and also that we make sure that young people don't take up smoking."

The ban has brought about a number of changes and has had an effect on us all.

Anyone caught flouting the ban faces a fixed penalty of £50, which can rise to £200 in cases of prosecution and conviction.

Managers and landlords face a higher penalty of up to £2,500 if they fail to prevent people smoking on their premises.

If you want to have a quick smoke before you embark on a long train journey, for example, you can't – not on the platform at least. Smoking within any train or bus station is against the law.

Up and down the country, small crowds of people gathered outside pubs are now a common sight and a new phenomenon of people smoking and 'flirting' – known as 'smirting' – has developed.

There is no longer the stench of stale tobacco smoke in your local pub and the nation's bar staff and pub-goers can now breathe a little easier.

Some smokers might tell you that the ban has led to them cutting down on the number of cigarettes they smoke and even quitting.

There remain, however, people still critical of the ban. Many blame it
for a fall in business and even the closure of many pubs.

Other establishments, such as clubs and bingo halls, have also reported business being adversely affected by the ban.

Smokers may complain about having to brave all weather conditions if they wish to have a cigarette when on a night out, while, on the other hand, residents leaving near a pub may complain about increased noise because of people smoking outside.

The ban is now part of everyday life and seems to have been accepted by and large.

Wrexham Council, for example, has not had to prosecute anyone under the legislation since it was introduced 12 months ago, nor has it issued any fixed penalties.

There have been 1,061 inspections carried out since April 2007. Six written warnings have been issued for signage, six written warnings to premises for not preventing people smoking and 13 to individuals
smoking.

The council's chief housing and public protection officer, Andy Lewis, said: "Overall we have been very pleased with the positive and responsible approach taken by owners of businesses, the vast majority of whom have complied with the new legislation."

The Evening Leader spoke to landlords and members of the public in Wrexham to get their views on the ban, one year on.

Carl Tunnah, a non-smoker from Wrexham said: "I think that landlords should be given the choice.

"If there is food involved, then fair enough, but if not, then it should be down to the landlord's choice."

Mark Rogers, a smoker from Brynteg, said: "I think it should be up to the landlord to decide.

"If there were smoking and non-smoking pubs, then we would have a choice. The ban hasn't made me cut down."

John Adamson, a smoker from Brymbo, said: "I think it's stupid. We should have had a vote on it, rather than the Government telling us what to do.

"It would be better having a choice – smoking and non-smoking pubs."

Kim Birch, manager at Yales Cafe Bar, connected to Central Station, Wrexham, said: "The owner also owns South Central and I think it has affected takings there and we have noticed that town is quieter.

"People are quite happy to go outside to smoke. Central Station has a smoking area. They put a lot of money into that and I think that helped maintain the number of people coming to the club.

"Obviously it is healthier, but I don't think that it has made that much difference as far as the staff are concerned."

Samantha Voss, supervisor at 1 to 5, Wrexham, said: "There hasn't been an effect on takings. We have a large outdoor area with heaters and also the terrace, which is covered so that people can go outside to smoke, even when it's raining.

"The staff do prefer it since the ban came in. I'm a smoker and I prefer it."

Rachel Povey, landlady at the Seven Stars in Wrexham, said: "We have
noticed a downturn in business ever since the ban came in.

"The cold winter weather hasn't helped. We aren't able to put up a smoking shelter because we are on the road and it is a listed building."

Larry Leadbetter, landlord of the Bridge Inn at Pontblyddyn, near Mold, said: "It's not just the smoking ban affecting business; it's a
combination of five or six things but the smoking ban has stuck the
knife in.

"There's the smoking ban, the rates, the high price of alcohol, the supermarkets selling it cheaper – it's absolutely destroying us.

"The industry is teetering on the brink of collapse. It's very, very sad – we are working for nothing.

"I'm fortunate because I have quite a good community pub but the industry is failing – it's on its knees and the Government is destroying it."

But Simon Baker, landlord of the Ha
lfway House in Connah's Quay, said of the ban: "It hasn't really affected us.

"Our company has provided us with an adequate solution to the problem.
"We've got a parasol with chairs underneath and heaters. We had no problems once the ban was enforced."

Rob Davies, landlord of the Upper Shippe in Bagillt, said: "Over the last year, we have seen a 40 per cent drop in business at least.

"It's not just the smoking ban. On top of that, the Government is trying to close pubs with the duty increase and by not doing anything about the supermarkets."

Tracy Johnson, landlady of the Black Horse Inn in Buckley said: "I would say trade has gone down to about 70 per cent – maybe more.

"People don't want to come out and stand in the cold to have a cigarette.

"Apart from that, you've got the supermarkets selling cheap cases of beer and people are staying at home where they can smoke."
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