Haunt goes up in smoke

Haunt goes up in smoke
Bob Shields

ONE of my favourite little bars in all the world has sadly been ruined. Yes . . . the smoking ban has claimed another victim.

The Casino Bar at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam holds happy memories for me.

Many a Daily Record adventure or Tartan Army trip began and ended with a beer and smoke at this friendly wee watering hole. But not any more.

Yet another airport has chosen to impose a total ban - while still making fortunes on cigarette sales in its duty free shops.

Yes, smoking stinks. But so does this blatant mix of discrimination and profiteering.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Smoking Ban Proves Costly For Ohio Counties

Smoking Ban Proves Costly For Ohio Counties

TOLEDO -- County health departments are running up steep bills in their efforts to stamp out smoke across Ohio.

A year after the state's smoking ban went into effect, some county health departments have found enforcement to be too costly, with at least a dozen local entities turning over inspection and violation duties to the Ohio Department of Health.

Under the law that went into effect last May, local health departments receive 90 percent of fines collected from businesses and individuals. The fines range from $100 to $2,500 and were intended to fund enforcement, but the state has collected a total of just $30,000 from local health departments around the state.

That amount falls far short of easing the financial burden placed on local departments, officials said. The Toledo-Lucas County health department alone has spent $40,000 hunting down violators, while banking just $630 in fines. Costs stem from overtime, mileage and other added expenses.

"It is a (financial) concern, and we've voiced that concern to the state," said Alan Ruffell, the county's director of environmental health.

Officials have received 29,714 violation complaints across Ohio, according to statistics compiled by the state.

In Erie and Ottawa counties, officials hired a part-time contract employee to help lower costs. That position alone costs nearly $16,000 a year, Erie County Health Commissioner Peter Schade said.

Counties struggling to enforce the ban can choose to turn over enforcement to the state with 30 days' notice, said Ohio Department of Health spokesman Kristopher Weiss. But state health officials are working with local departments to make the process more efficient and less costly, he said.

Inspectors should be able to write tickets and hold civil hearings, instead of being forced to navigate cumbersome, paperwork-intensive procedures, said Brad Espen, Wood County's director of environmental health.

Other officials say warning letters and fines should not be sent as certified mail, which is time-consuming and costly.

"You just get buried in it," Espen said. "By the time you collect $100, you've already spent way more than that."
http://www.newsnet5.com

Bill would allow landlords to ban smoking in Calif. rentals

Bill would allow landlords to ban smoking in Calif. rentals
By STEVE LAWRENCE

California apartment complexes could be declared smoke-free zones under legislation that's scheduled to be considered this week by a state Senate committee.

Sen. Alex Padilla says his bill would ensure that owners of rental housing have the option to ban smoking.

"The way the law is (currently) written..., it's not explicit for landlords to declare smoke-free housing units without being sued," he said. "We're trying to make the law a little more clear, a little more explicit."

The bill, scheduled to be heard Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee, would allow landlords to ban smoking on all or a portion of their property, including in any building on the site.

Tenants could continue to smoke inside their homes until their pre-smoking ban rental agreements expired. A violation would be considered a breach of the agreement and could lead to eviction.

The bill includes several findings about the health effects of tobacco use, including the fact that an estimated 38,000 Americans die each year because of breathing second-hand smoke.

"We need to recognize the rights of nonsmokers," said Padilla, a Los Angeles Democrat. "We share the same walls, the same ventilation units."

Debra Carlton, a spokeswoman for the California Apartment Association, a landlords' group that supports the bill, says apartment owners can face lawsuits no matter which way they go on the smoking issue.

"Smoking has become a source of conflict between smokers and nonsmokers," she said. "Some owners who have set nonsmoking standards are challenged by smokers who claim they have a right to smoke on their own property.

"At the same time, owners who don't set nonsmoking standards have been sued by tenants."

Padilla's bill takes a middle-of-the-road approach that some health groups think doesn't go far enough. Some advocates for the poor, however, think it goes too far.

It could result in month-to-month renters, many of whom are poor, having as little as 60 days to quit smoking or find new places to live, said Cindi Alvidrez, a legislative assistant with the Western Center on Law and Poverty, which lobbies on behalf of the poor.

"What we don't want to see happen is having low-income families evicted and losing their rent-control protections when other means to prevent or quit smoking haven't been addressed," she said.

Bill Phelps, a spokesman for the Altria Group, owner of Philip Morris USA, said the nation's largest tobacco company has not taken a position on the bill.

California already bans smoking in enclosed workplaces, including restaurants and bars, and near the entrances to state buildings and around children's playgrounds.

A bill signed last year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger bars smoking in motor vehicles carrying children.
http://www.bakersfield.com

LaBeouf smoking charges dismissed

LaBeouf smoking charges dismissed

Shia LaBeouf appears in the next Indiana Jones film with Harrison Ford

Charges against actor Shia LaBeouf for breaking a smoking ban have been dismissed by a Californian judge.

Last month the 21-year-old Transformers star pleaded not guilty to the charge, after a judge issued a $1,000 (£505) warrant for his arrest.

The warrant, which was later dismissed, was put in place when the star failed to appear at a court hearing.

No further details were given of the alleged offence or location. The star's lawyer was not available for comment.

If LaBeouf had been found guilty, he could have faced up to six months in jail.

The actor will next be seen in Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull alongside Harrison Ford.

http://news.bbc.co.uk

Clinton bar owners merge efforts to fight smoking ban

Clinton bar owners merge efforts to fight smoking ban
CLINTON, Iowa — At times it resembled a political rally, a revival meeting and a telethon all rolled into one.

But the theme of Thursday’s meeting of bar owners from across Iowa was clear: If they hope to defeat the state smoking ban, bar owners must pool their resources.

The meeting was hosted by the Clinton Organized Bar and Restaurant Association, or COBRA, but drew about 70 bar owners and patrons from as far away as Fairfield, Keokuk and Blairsburg.

COBRA President Jon Van Roekel said the purpose of the meeting was to merge five to seven separate efforts throughout the state into one organization and raise money to hire an attorney and seek an injunction to stop the state from enforcing the new smoking ban, which goes into effect July 1.

The new law bans smoking in Iowa bars, restaurants and most workplaces, with the exception of casino gaming floors and the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

Twyla Peacock, owner of Tillie’s Tap in Keosauqua, seemed to sum up the feeling in the room about the Iowa legislature.

“I have said the F-word more the last few weeks than I have in my entire life,” she said to cheers from the room at the Odeon, a Clinton tavern. “They’re going to drive me out of business, and I’m not going to stand for it.”

Van Roekel said COBRA is merging its efforts with those of Brian Froelich, owner of Fro’s Pub and Grub in Wilton, who is organizing a group called the Iowa Bar Owners Coalition, or IBOC

Froelich said by passing the law, the legislature violated the rights of small business owners and put their businesses in jeopardy. He said he already has heard from some of his customers that they plan to build bars in their basements if they are not allowed to smoke in bars.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m a little scared,” he said.

Van Roekel said if every food and liquor-license holder in the state pledged $200 to the effort, IBOC could raise enough money to fight the issue all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. Van Roekel said he wants the issue to go that far so Iowa’s law can be a test case on the issue.

Bar owners took turns at the microphone, criticizing the law and pledging money to the effort in amounts up to $1,000.

Marty Maynes, owner of The Union in Iowa City, said he has contacted several bar owners in Iowa City and Des Moines, and said organization was the key to defeating the law.

“If we all would have banded together like this from the beginning, this law never would have been passed,” Maynes said.

Kat Barrick, co-owner of the Silver Dollar Supper Club in Blairsburg, said she brought with her the names of 27 other bar owners willing to donate money, and said her bar is accepting donations for a “slush fund” to pay the fines of the bar if its patrons are caught smoking.

Nicole Baker, chairwoman of the Clinton County Republican Committee, also attended the meeting to encourage Iowans to vote out the legislators who voted for the bill.

That message was echoed by Les Shields of Clinton, who ran unsuccessfully as a Republican in 2006 against Rep. Polly Bukta, D-Clinton, who voted in favor of the bill.

Shields said bar owners are smart people who know what is best for their businesses.

“They don’t need government telling them how to run their businesses,” he said.

A meeting for those interested in supporting IBOC’s efforts will be held at 4 p.m. May 4 at the Knights of Columbus hall at 1111 W. 35th St. in Davenport.

Steven Martens can be contacted at (563) 659-2595 or smartens@qctimes.com.
http://www.qctimes.com/

Where Did All the Bingo Players Go?

Where Did All the Bingo Players Go?
By STEPHANIE STROM
In Minnesota, which adopted a statewide ban on smoking in all indoor workplaces in October, revenue from all charity gambling dropped nearly 13 percent in the last quarter of 2007, compared to the same quarter the year before, according to state officials. More than half of the drop — the equivalent of about $100 million annually — was attributed to the new law, they said.

Charlie Lindstrom, who runs the bingo nights at an American Legion post in Fergus Falls, Minn., said some of his former customers now drove to casinos on Indian reservations, where they can puff away, or across the border to Fargo, N.D., where veterans’ organizations are exempt from that state’s smoking ban.

On a good night, Mr. Lindstrom said, bingo at the post used to attract 50 to 75 players. Nowadays it is more like 30 or 40.

“It’s had a profound effect on us here,” Mr. Lindstrom said. “We’ve sponsored several baseball teams here in the past, but we can’t give as much now because the smoking ban has really reduced our revenue.”

Mr. Lindstrom is not alone. Managers of charity bingo games in California, New Jersey, New York and Washington State also say their states’ smoking bans have forced cutbacks in their budgets and in their support for various causes.

Few believe they can cultivate new nonsmoking players. They say smoking goes with bingo like peanut butter with jelly. Michael J. Surwill, bingo chairman at Elks Lodge No. 2501 in Ocean Springs, Miss., estimated that smokers outnumbered nonsmokers three to one at the lodge’s weekly game.

Last year, his bingo game produced $23,000 that supported a shelter for abused women, a drug awareness program and a camp for young cancer survivors, Mr. Surwill said, adding, “I’m sure we wouldn’t raise nearly that much if we banned smoking.”

Veterans’ organizations like the American Legion, fraternal groups like the Shrine and Moose clubs, local drum and bugle corps and churches have long depended on revenue from gambling, though it has been on the decline — and not solely because of smoking. A proliferation of casinos on reservations, changes in state gambling regulations and, now, a faltering economy have all played a role.

Some advocates of smoking bans said the costs of smoking to the state in terms of public health and productivity greatly outweighed the losses to charity. And some argue that the revenues will return in over the long run.

“Around the country,” said State Representative Thomas Huntley, Democrat of Duluth and a chief sponsor of Minnesota’s Freedom to Breathe Act, “whenever places have put in smoking bans, there is a six-month period where there is a drop in business in bars and restaurants, which is where this gambling takes place, and after that, it starts to rebound.”

But bingo managers in states where bans on smoking have been in effect longer say nonsmokers cannot make up for the decline in revenues from smokers. Instead, they say, their industry has undergone a wave of forced consolidation.

“We actually benefited from it, but for the wrong reason — my competition was forced to close,” said Clyde Bock, bingo manager for the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center in Seattle.

When Washington’s ban on smoking took effect in 2005, Mr. Bock was able to partially enclose a porch where bingo players could still smoke, and he got it approved as a separate facility. “It cost me $8,000, but it protected my customer base,” he said. “Other games weren’t so lucky.”

Still, revenues are down. In 2006, the bingo operation at the children’s center, which then belonged to Big Brothers Big Sisters, generated about $325,000 a year, after expenses, and employed 17 people. A year later, under the auspices of the center, it produced $150,000 and employed 13 people.

“People underestimate the impact smoking bans will have,” Mr. Bock said.

Washington used to be home to 100 bingo halls that raised money for charity. Now there are fewer than 20.

Bret Rios, director of operations for the Blue Devils, a nonprofit drum and bugle corps in Concord, Calif., says his organization, too, has felt the effects. “A lot of people who play bingo like to smoke,” Mr. Rios said

Bingo is the largest source of revenue for the Blue Devils, which operates musical groups that involve more than 500 children each year. In 2005, bingo provided $1.2 million for the organization’s activities, covering more than half its costs.

Mr. Rios said bingo revenues were down about $10,000 a month since Contra Costa County imposed more stringent restrictions on smoking in 2006. Attendance at the nightly games has fallen to about 225 on average, compared to 300 or more before the ban took effect.

The Blue Devils had spent roughly $70,000 to create a specially ventilated separate room for smoking bingo players, which the county ordered closed under its new regulations. The organization replaced it with a covered patio in its parking lot, but smokers are not happy with it, Mr. Rios said.

“You’ve got to get up and down, up and down, to go out and smoke,” said Judy Aiello, 53, who has played bingo at the Blue Devils parlor for about 20 years.

Ms. Aiello said friends who used to play at the Concord center now went to American Indian-owned casinos or bingo parlors in the adjacent county, which has less stringent smoking restrictions than Contra Costa.

Ms. Aiello and other smokers also spoke of tensions between smokers and nonsmokers. Some nonsmoking bingo players have complained that the smell of smoke wafts in from outside, and the Blue Devils group was recently forced to place notices at entrances, reminding smokers that the county forbid them to light up within 20 yards of doorways.

“Why do all the nonsmokers have all the rights and the smokers have none?” said Rhonda Convino, 37, who smokes but has remained loyal to the Blue Devils games.

Mr. Rios said he felt caught between a rock and a hard place.

“I’m not a smoker, and I’m not fond of smoking,” he said. “I wouldn’t go to a place that smelled of smoke and spend a lot of time there. But they’ve gone way too far — you know, they’re even thinking about passing a law that would make it illegal to smoke in your own home.”

Told about that idea, Representative Huntley of Minnesota chuckled. “I don’t think I’ll take that idea up,” he said. “I’m still pulling the knives out of my back from the last time.”

Smoke rebel reveals plan for flats

Smoke rebel reveals plan for flats

By Joe Robinson
THE pub belonging to Blackpool's smoking ban rebel landlord could be gutted to make way for new flats.
An application has been submitted to turn the Happy Scots Bar and Delboy's Sports Bar into 12 two-bedroom flats and five shop buildings.

Owner Hamish Howitt says the development will have a real "wow" factor and contribute to regeneration in the run-down Foxhall area. He plans to open a new pub elsewhere.

But the controversial licensee, who has been convicted of flouting the smoking ban ever since it came into force on July 1 last year, has pledged to continue his fight against legislation.

Mr Howitt, 55, of Park Road, says even if the application is successfully and his two current bars close, he will still challenge the smoking ban at the European Court of Human Rights.

"It won't stop," he said.

"I couldn't start all this and not go through with it and I'm still going to exhaust all legal processes and try to fight the ban all the way to Strasbourg and the European Court of Human Rights.

"I will open another pub and I'm going to call it Smokies.

"The day my battle against the ban is won, I will never serve another pint again.

"I love Blackpool and I believe these flats and shops will help with the regeneration in the area nearby which will benefit everyone."

The project will, if plans are approved, be funded and overseen by Mr Howitt's mother and father-in-law, Peter and Jo Mountain, who will lease the pub back to the Howitt until he can find another premises.

Mr Howitt still faces a number of outstanding charges relating to his defiance of the smoking ban.

He allows customers to smoke in one bar while the other is totally non-smoking, which Mr Howitt says gives his customers the freedom to choose.

As a non-smoker himself, he maintains his stance is a political one and says he has no issue with the courts but claims his conscience will not allow him to send his customers, many of whom are elderly, outside to smoke.

Last week, an appeal against the closure of his bar by Blackpool Council Licensing committee was upheld by Blackpool Magistrates' Court.

Refused

However, in another hearing, the committee refused an application by Howitt to take over as the pub's designated premises supervisor and put his name above the door to prevent his wife Jo from being charged with breaking the ban.

Mrs Howitt is currently the designated premises supervisor for the smoking bar and will soon appear in court to face a number of charges of failing to prevent smoking in a smoke free premises.

A decision on the plans is expected to be made in July.
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/

Landlord fined for flouting smoking ban

Landlord fined for flouting smoking ban
By David Horne

A licensee who admits he flouted the anti-smoking law in his pub and restaurant for nearly two years says he will now toe the line after a big court bill.

Gerry Stonhill was handed fines and costs of £5,765 at Witney Magistrates' Court but revealed this week that a customer has already given him a £500 cheque towards it.

He told the Oxford Mail that he still thought the law was "stupid" and that there were "plenty of others out there who think the same."

Mr Stonhill, owner of The Mason Arms in South Leigh, last week admitted six separate offences brought by West Oxfordshire District Council under the Health Act 2006.

One of the fines was for his own lighting up in a smoke-free area.

"My customers know I think the law is stupid and I have flouted it well and truly for nearly the past two years," said Mr Stonhill.

"But I have had my spanking and I've now had to put a line under it."

The landlord, who has built up a reputation for celebrity customers and some of his own "house rules," was given three separate fines of £500 for failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free area, along with fines of £200 and £50 for not displaying the correct No Smoking sign, and smoking in a smoke-free area himself.

Council costs of £4,000, covering officer investigation time, were also awarded against him.

Mr Stonhill added: "Only a few days after the case, one of my very good customers came in and wrote me a cheque for £500, which is very nice.

"The whole thing is a bit of a laugh when I think of it. The prosecution had lined up two or three people who had come here to have dinner. I've got the receipts for their bill and they've landed me with this.

"I've always said I am against the law, it's a waste of time, there are much more important things to do. There should be a choice. There's plenty of others out there who think the same.

"Some guy who has been out there digging a trench all day wants to have a pint and a smoke at the end of it. I can't see what's wrong with that."

The 2006 legislation requires that almost all enclosed public places and workplaces are to be kept smoke-free, and carry suitable advice signs. Failure to comply can lead to a fixed penalty notice, or prosecution.

Despite the law being in force for nearly 21 months, Mr Stonhill was the first prosecution brought by local councils in Oxfordshire.

As well as his objection to the smoking laws, Mr Stonhill has also been reported as having unfavourable views about vegetarians, dogs and mobile phones at The Mason Arms.

Barry Norton, leader of the council, said: "I am pleased he now says he is going to abide by the law."
http://www.oxfordmail.net

Landlady first to be fined over smoking ban

Landlady first to be fined over smoking ban

A CARNFORTH landlady has become the first licensee in our district to be fined for failing to prevent smoking in her pub under the new smokefree laws.
But Rozalynd Boyd, licensee of the Queens Hotel, told The Visitor she felt it was "extremely difficult" for licensees to stop customers lighting up.

Rozalynd was fined £100 and ordered to pay a contribution towards costs of £250 at Lancaster Magistrates' Court after she admitted failing to prevent smoking in her pub.

An environmental health officer visited the Queens on February 13 and noticed a woman lighting a cigarette on the premises.

"I pleaded guilty because it was my responsibility, but there were mitigating circumstances and I do think it was unfair," said Rozalynd.

"I was out shopping at the cash and carry and my barmaid had only nipped upstairs when the woman decided to light up. The officer visited while I was out, so we were just unlucky, it was just one of those things.

"For the onus to be entirely on licensees makes it very, very tough. He cautioned the woman but didn't take any of her details.

"If we see people smoking we tell them to leave, but it's very difficult to police these things, especially when it's busy and all hands on deck behind the bar.

"I've got extra bar staff on, we've put in a smoking shelter and put up all the relevant notices. We've done everything we've been asked to do."

The court heard that an anonymous complaint was made to Lancaster City Council's Environmental Health service in January alleging that smoking was taking place in the pub.

A letter was then sent to Mrs Boyd, advising her that a complaint had been made and advising her of her responsibilities under the law.

Following a further allegation that smoking was still taking place on the premises an environmental health officer then visited the Queens.

"The honeymoon period for smoking in public places and workplaces is over," said Coun David Kerr, council cabinet member with responsibility for environmental health.

"The council will be taking enforcement action if further complaints made to the council are found to be justified.

"Smokers themselves can also be served with £50 fixed penalty notices if found smoking in public places, workplaces and work vehicles such as vans and taxis."

The new laws, which came into force on July 1, 2007, made it illegal to smoke in enclosed public places such as pubs and restaurants.

A council spokesperson confirmed that the smoker had not been fined in this instance, because the local authority guidance recommends that enforcement action should initially be taken against the person concerned with the management of a premises.
http://www.thevisitor.co.uk/morecambe-news

Blackburn cafe owner faces new smoking ban charge

Blackburn cafe owner faces new smoking ban charge
By Tom Moseley
THE MANAGER of a Blackburn Shisha cafe has been accused of flouting new anti-smoking laws for a second time.

Muhammed Jaber pleaded not guilty to failing to stop people smoking in the Sahara Cafe on Darwen Street on October 26 and obstructing an enforcement officer.

Last month Mr Jaber, 53, of Arncliffe Avenue, Accrington, pleaded not guilty to similar a charge relating to September 2007, claiming Blackburn with Darwen council was trying to make an example of him.

Council bosses said they "did not take any pleasure in launching court proceedings" but that they were "just doing our job".

The two cases will be heard in separate hearings at Blackburn magistrates court in June.

After the previous case came to court, Mr Jaber insisted nobody had used the traditional Middle Eastern-style pipes in his cafe since smoking in public places became illegal last July.

But he said he the ban had had a devastating effect the ban on trade, with takings plummeting 70 per cent.

Shisha is an ancient Middle Eastern tradition in which fruit-scented tobacco is burnt using coal, passed through an ornate water vessel and inhaled through a hose.

Mr Jaber, who moved to Blackburn 22 years ago from Palestine, said he sold coals, flavoured tobacco or herbal fruit pulp and hired out the water-filtered shisha pipes to punters, but did not allow smoking inside anymore.

He said: "We tried to comply with the law. A lot of our customers come in to buy Shisha and want to smoke it in here but we do not let them.

"The smoking ban has affected everyone, not only me. But this is part of our culture."

Following the ban, campaigners lobbied the government to make an exception to the law - which banned smoking in enclosed public spaces - for Shisha.

But Chris Allen, head of environmental health and trading standards at the council, said: "Shisha smoking is far more dangerous than cigarette smoking. At the end of the day no-one is above the law of the land. All we are doing is enforcing the legal requirements. We don't take any great pleasure in this, we are just doing our job."
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

Beijing drops restaurants from proposed smoking ban, state media reports

Beijing drops restaurants from proposed smoking ban, state media reports
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


BEIJING - Beijing has backtracked on a proposed public smoking ban, saying restaurants will no longer be included due to concerns it will hurt their business, a state-run newspaper reported Monday.

Restaurants, bars and Internet cafes will be exempt from a recently announced ban on smoking in public places to start May 1, the China Daily reported.

They will now be asked only to have separate smoking and nonsmoking areas, it said.

"Originally, we wanted restaurants to keep 70 per cent of the areas smoke-free, but owners of Chinese restaurants - both big and small - worried the plan would hurt their business," Zhang Peili, an official with Beijing's municipal government supervising the rule, told the paper.

"It is difficult for us to control smoking in restaurants. It's just part of the culture," he said.

China is home to 350 million smokers - a third of the global total.

Beijing pledged to hold a smoke-free Olympics and last month proposed a smoking ban in government offices, sports venues, hospitals and museums.

Last week, Chinese media reported it would also be extended to elementary, secondary and primary school campuses.

Last October, Beijing banned smoking in the city's 66,000 taxis, threatening drivers with a $29 fine if they are caught.

In 2005, China ratified World Health Organization rules that urged it, within three years, to restrict tobacco advertising and sponsorship, put tougher health warnings on cigarettes and raise tobacco prices and taxes.

It also agreed to curb secondhand smoke, prohibit cigarette sales to minors and clamp down on smuggling of cigarettes.
http://www.thecanadianpress.com

Smoking ban fuels domestic violence'

Smoking ban fuels domestic violence'
By Emilie Bradshaw
The smoking ban is to blame for high levels of domestic violence in some parts of Preston, according to the city's top policeman.
Figures for the last quarter show domestic violence accounts for as much as 40% of violent crime in some suburban areas in the east of Preston including places such as Ribbleton and St Matthews.

The overall average in Preston is 23%.

And one theory is it could be down to a change in people's social drinking habits following last year's smoking ban.

Preston's Chief Supt Peter White said: "We are having reported to us by the licensing trade that the smoking ban is really affecting business in pubs and we know from our patrols in the city centre the pubs don't seem to be as busy.

"We know pubs are closing. A lot of the licensees are quoting the smoking ban and price of alcohol in pubs.

"We also know, relatively speaking, alcohol in supermarkets is very cheap and we also know statistics are showing we have not reduced domestic violence as quickly as the ban has reduced crime in the city centre.

"I don't particularly think it's a leap of faith to suggest one of the reasons crime is going down in the city centre and not going down elsewhere might be people's social drinking habits are changing."

Chief Supt White added: "It would seem sensible that some people will stay at home and drink more because it's cheaper to do it that way.

"That may lead to dispute between partners and therefore domestic violence."

Because domestic violence is often a hidden crime that takes place in the home, police say the increased reporting of incidents could also be seen as positive as the increase may just be that more victims are seeking help.

Chief Insp White said a lot of work was being done to address domestic violence and urged people to come forward and report it.

Director of Preston Women's Refuge, Valerie Wise, said: "It's horrendous that 40% of violent crime cases in some parts of Preston are related to domestic violence.

"I think sometimes people use drink as
an excuse and as far as I'm concerned, there's no excuse.

"If people can't hold their alcohol they shouldn't drink. They know if they have got a problem from that perspective.

"Domestic violence is a deliberate act and so can't be excused by having a drop too much to drink."

In February the Evening Post revealed another leading policeman had blamed the ban for pushing violent crime onto the city's streets.

Insp Steve Evans said a sudden increase in smokers lighting up outside pubs and restaurants since the ban had "provoked" trouble in the city centre.
http://www.lep.co.uk

Campaigners call on MSPs to license tobacco sales

Campaigners call on MSPs to license tobacco sales

ANTI-SMOKING campaign group ASH Scotland has urged MSPs to license all businesses selling cigarettes.
The Scottish Government is currently looking at proposals aimed at reducing the harm done by smoking to people's health, and particularly children.

It has released a study which show that by age 15, half of young people have tried smoking.

A licensing system would see retailers risk losing the right to sell cigarettes if they were caught selling to anyone under 18.

ASH Scotland's chief executive, Sheila Duffy, said: "We must tackle this epidemic head-on. The long-term health effects of childhood smoking are well-known – for example, someone who starts smoking at 15 is five times more likely to get lung cancer than someone who starts smoking at 24, and 15 times more likely than a non-smoker.

"These results show that health education on its own is not enough. ASH Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to take bold steps to prevent a new generation getting hooked on tobacco.

"We need to see speedy progress towards a positive licensing scheme.

"Our polling shows that 89 per cent of Scots would support this measure."
http://news.scotsman.com

Mayoral candidates tussle over smoking ban

Mayoral candidates tussle over smoking ban
Boris Johnson has been tackled about donations from the tobacco industry
A seemingly straight-forward comment from Tory candidate for Mayor of London Boris Johnson about the smoking ban has started a row about donations to his campaign.

In an online question and answer session for The Sun newspaper yesterday, he was asked: "are you still against the smoking ban in pubs and clubs? If so, what, if anything, do you propose to do about it?"

Mr Johnson replied: "What is the point of having local democracy if we don't leave decisions like this to a local level?

"If I had my way, we would have an online referendum in London about whether to give boroughs back the power to give discretion over smoking to pubs and clubs."

Mr Johnson later issued a clarification, saying that he was expressing his personal view.

"Personally I do not like smoking and believe that pubs and clubs are better places since the ban came in.

"My point was that I believe laws like the smoking ban should have been decided at a local level rather than a national level. It is not within the power of the Mayor to have a referendum, nor will I be lobbying for the power to grant one."

Labour candidate Ken Livingstone, who is seeking a third term in office, said that Mr Johnson has declared he accepted a payment of £5,000 to £10,000 from the Tobacco Association in June 2007, and no politician should be prepared to accept a donation from that industry.

"The smoking ban is one of the biggest contributions to health we have seen in recent years," he said.

"Boris Johnson's position wishing boroughs had the power to overturn the smoking ban shows how hopelessly out of touch he is and unsuitable to the Mayor of a modern, forward looking city like London.

"It is made worse by the fact that it follows a donation from the tobacco lobby.

"London wants a Mayor who understands the importance of the ban on smoking in public places and supports it, not one who in reality opposes it and supports ways of getting round it. Boris Johnson is putting the health of Londoners at risk."

The Livingstone campaign highlighted a Daily Telegraph column written by Mr Johnson in June 2005.

"It is extremely difficult, statistically, to contract a cancer from passive smoking," he wrote.

"Far more difficult than contracting HIV, and no one is going to ban HIV sufferers from having sex."

Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick accused his Tory opponent of being either out of touch with the voters or "in the pocket" of the tobacco industry.

"First of all Boris Johnson says that he will overturn the smoking ban," he said.

"How can Londoners trust someone who has received money from the tobacco industry to be objective about the smoking ban? Most Londoners agree with this initiative.

"Then he issues a press release denying that he ever meant what he said. As with his comments on whether or not he snorted cocaine, Johnson continues to drop himself in it and his team have to follow him with a bucket and shovel."

The Mayoral race has been enlivened by personal attacks in recent days, as election day on May 1st approaches.

Yesterday Mr Paddick branded Mr Livingstone a "nasty little man."

"Do you want somebody who is a really nasty little man in the shape of Ken Livingstone, very unpleasant and rather nasty, or somebody who just appears to be somewhat eccentric but otherwise really harmless as an individual, except I wouldn't trust him to run anything for me?" he told the Evening Standard.

In his campaign literature he brands Boris Johnson a "clown."

Speaking to a group of gay supporters last night, Mr Livingstone accused Mr Johnson of "pandering to xenophobia" during his time as a Brussels correspondent for the Daily Telegraph but did not personally attack the Lib Dem candidate.

"I will not try to discourage anyone from voting for Brian Paddick," he said.

"I think a lot of people would say I want to register the fact that a gay man can get hundreds of thousands of people voting for him. But this is not like other elections. There is no such thing as a wasted vote. You get two votes.

"You can register a vote for whatever candidate you want. You then get a second vote, which is to choose between the frontrunners."

Londoners will go to the polls to elect a Mayor and the 25-member London Assembly on May 1st.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk

Citizens react to proposed smoking ban

Citizens react to proposed smoking ban

By MATTHEW STOFF
The Daily Sentinel

Debates across the city have some people fuming and others breathing sighs of relief over a proposed ordinance that would prohibit smoking in local restaurants, bars and other public places.

"I think it (stinks)," said one man who declined to give his name. A two-pack-a-day smoker, he said restaurants and bars are some of the few locations left where smokers could still light up away from home.

Judy Kell supports the ordinance, which she says would make her outings more pleasurable.

"I was a smoker and I have quit. It is nice to be able to go in a place and not smell it," she said.

Fredrick Grahm doesn't smoke, but had strong opinions about keeping the rights of those who do intact.

"I think it's unfair to create such restrictions on people that are hooked on nicotine," he said. "Nicotine is a drug. It's like booze and alcohol. People go in for a beer, and we don't say they should be a certain distance from fumes from alcohol, so why fumes from nicotine? It's crazy. I think it's totally unfair."

Inversely, David Smith said he supports the ordinance because he supports the rights of non-smokers.

"Smoking should be banned in all public places. It should be banned in restaurants as well, and if smokers want to go outside that's fine. But inside, where non-smokers are, smokers' rights end where a non-smoker's nose begins."

The city commissioners, who will vote on the ordinance at their meeting tonight, have fielded a similar range of comments from citizens, opining and inquiring about the issue.

Mayor Roger Van Horn said he's heard only a few remarks against the smoking ban, mostly coming from nightclub and restaurant owners.

"I think by and large, I have heard many more for it than against," he said. Of particular concern to them, Van Horn said, were measures preventing smoking on outdoor patios and seating areas.

Southwest Ward Commissioner Billy Huddleston Jr. said although most of the input he's heard has come from non-smokers supporting the ban, he's also heard criticism of the no outdoor smoking provision. Huddleston said "there's a good possibility" he would make a motion to amend the ordinance to exclude the outdoor areas from the ordinance.

"I hope that we can come up with something so that these kinds of establishments can be allowed to build outdoor facilities," he said. "I'm trying to look out for the non-smoker, the smoker and the businessman."

Travis Morris, representing the Southeast Ward, said he hasn't received any calls from people opposed to the rule.

Northwest Ward Commissioner Don Partin said he's gotten pressure to delay the vote to allow for more debate, but would probably not make such a motion. Other's have merely "voiced concern," he said.

Northeast Ward Commissioner Randy Johnson said he supports the smoking ban, even though he's fielded plenty of calls opposed to it.

"I know the concerns of the people in the restaurant business and the nightclub business. Their concerns are valid — they don't know what's going to happen. (But) There are statistics to prove it does not have an adverse effect on your business," he said. "I can't see this being a bad thing. I'm not changing."

Citizens who have not contacted their elected official will still have an opportunity to be heard. Although Tuesday night's commission agenda does not call for a formal public hearing, Van Horn said he will solicit public comments because "it's the right thing to do."

"We will be listening to as many people — within reason — that want to talk on either side," he said. "One way or another I'd like to see it get decided."
http://www.dailysentinel.com

Phil Johnson: Bugger England!

Phil Johnson: Bugger England!
15 April, 2008

By Phil Johnson

Years ago the good lady and I stayed in Bognor Regis for a few days, sampling sun, sea and sand by day and local pubs by night.

I remembered one particular night was an absolute barrel of fun: yes fun! A pub on a corner full of people, full of laughter, full of music - and full of ashtrays, but nobody seemed to object to the smokers then.

Recently, a reader's comment from a lady named Caroline intrigued me greatly and upon research found that this lady, with her husband Peter, now run that very pub on the corner of Laburnam Grove.

It is called "The Family Tree", but one could say that its branches have been severely lopped. From that heady night of memories comes now another tale, a very different tale, in fact a most woeful tale indeed!

Peter & Caroline kindly spoke to me about their home, their business and most importantly, their life.

They took the pub on nearly two years ago, a thriving business, just as it was some ten years ago when Mr & Mrs J well and truly sampled the delights within. Happiness prevailed. Nearly two years on and happiness has been replaced by gloom and desperation.

How could this happen? They seemed perfectly nice people to talk to, well spoken, polite and knowlegeable about their chosen profession, so why the air of despair?

I was told the following:- "When we started we had one full time staff and four part-timers. Now we are down to one part-timer two nights a week. We used to regularly have up to 150 customers on Friday and Saturday nights, now we are extremely lucky to get 50. We've had tribute bands but to no avail - it was just a waste of money.

"On Sundays we used to have people queueing outside, now, the wind of change blows in when we open the doors! We used to average £500 of a Sunday dinnertime, last week's takings were £45 and we shut at 4pm as there was no point wasting electricity any longer.

"We open every day at noon but we only see stragglers. We now shut at 9pm latest Monday through Thursday because business is that bad. We live here, it is our home, our children's home, our business, our life and we have been badly let down by this government of ours that is supposed to be for the working classes!"


Peter took over from his tearful wife and I could do nothing but apologise profusely for causing her such upset. He continued to explain that takings were now down £3,000 per week, people simply didn't come anymore. They had created a patio for smokers, decking, seats, outside heaters the lot - but they still don't come.

If the smoking law kills the tourist trade off this summer Peter & Caroline will be bankrupt, unemployed and worse still, homeless.

The Chancellor, Mr Darling is without doubt banned from their beleaguered hostelry. Well, as long as it remains open he is!

Have you ever had that awful feeling you shouldn't have made that call? I was distressed; I cannot imagine their state of mind.

It is so sad to see good honest, hard working people destroyed by their own government - a government that promises health, wealth and happiness, a government that is supposed to care for its voters.

From what Peter & Caroline have told me, had they had the freedom to choose they would have used a fraction of the money spent on the outside space to create a smoking room. And they would still have been in a strong business position. They have a 3rd room at the back of their pub which would have been ideal.

George V famously said "bugger Bognor". It would seem from these honest, hard working people that this government has uttered something similar. Except it is not "bugger Bognor" anymore. It's "Bugger the pubs","Bugger the people" and "Bugger England"!
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?storycode=59387

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."
http://www.chesterstandard.co.uk

Smoking OK at Oktoberfest

Smoking OK at Oktoberfest
Due to the Bavarian Cabinet plans announced steps early last week to relax a smoking ban that came into force in January, visitors at the Munich Oktoberfest will be able to smoke cigarettes in the crowded beer tents this year. Under the reprieve, beer tents and those serving wine or used for special functions will be exempted from the smoking ban for 12 months. “From January 1, 2009, the smoking ban will be enforced in the tents,” said Bavarian Prime Minister Guenther Beckstein.
http://www.neurope.eu

Nederland council snuffs smoking ban

Nederland council snuffs smoking ban
By DENNIS KUTAC, The Enterprise

NEDERLAND - Smokers won't have to worry about where they light up in Nederland, but Mayor R.A. "Dick" Nugent said that doesn't mean smoking restrictions can't be brought up at later time.

Advertisement
Nederland council members stubbed out a possible citywide smoking ban in public places in a 4-1 vote Monday.

Nugent said local officials visited with representatives from other cities with smoking bans and studied their ordinances.

Ward 4 Councilman Bert Rogers, who voted in favor of pursuing a ban, said he disagreed with some residents in the community who said it was a case of "big government" stepping in.

Rogers compared the resident-driven smoking ban issue to instances when the city has put up stop signs in neighborhoods at the request of residents to slow traffic and prevent accidents.

He said it's a matter of protecting the public.

Other council members had concerns and agreed that enforcing it would be the main issue.

"It seems like it would be difficult to enforce it. Who do you leave that up to?" said Ward 1 Councilman Robert Sawyer.

City Manager Andre Wimer said enforcement potentially would be the business establishment's responsibility.

"I think the national chains are pretty accustomed to ordinances in other cities that have some type of smoking ban," Wimer said.

"There would be a lot of things to think about though if this issue was pursued."

An unresolved issue is at whom a smoking ban would be directed.

Officials first began to discuss a possible citywide smoking ban in December when a resident, Crystal Foxworth, asked that city consider such an ordinance. Its features would stop smoking anywhere up to 25 feet away from a building's entrance; at football games, parks and other places where children gather; and hotels and motels. She was not at the meeting and could not be reached for comment Monday after the vote.

In January and February, council members welcomed public comments about a smoking ban during the regular meetings from residents of Nederland as well as the surrounding communities.

Wimer said 31 people addressed the council and 10 of them spoke in opposition to it. The remaining 21 spoke in favor of it and of that 21, nine lived outside the Nederland city limits.

Nederland has about a half-dozen dine-in restaurants - most of which are along FM 365, the city's boundary with Port Arthur, according to The Enterprise archives.

Port Arthur city officials also have discussed a ban, but haven't taken any action.

In Beaumont, a ban has been in place since July 2006 and opponents to it mounted an unsuccessful petition drive to put the measure to a local vote, according to The Enterprise archives.

Several restaurants adjusted by building required separate areas or becoming private clubs. During the first year, 23 citations were issued for violations.

Some defunct businesses claim the smoking ban was one factor in their closing either because of a drop in business or the costs to comply with the ban.

Other cities have passed smoking bans of varying degrees across the state, including Alvin, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Lubbock, New Braunfels, Odessa, Robinson, Schertz and West Lake.
http://www.southeasttexaslive.com

‘Cigs ban stubbed out business at my pub’

‘Cigs ban stubbed out business at my pub’
By Gavin Havery
A LANDLORD is blaming the closure of his village pub on the introduction of the smoking ban last year.

Alan Davision has run the Red Oak, in Lowland Road, Brandon, near Durham, for 13 years.

But he called last orders two weeks ago. He said it was because the Government's decision to outlaw cigarette smoking in bars and clubs.

He said: "I had built a good trade with lots of regulars and used to put on entertainment night, but the smoking ban definitely changed things.
"People do not want to go outside to smoke.

"It is freezing and they are just nipping out for a few drags then coming back in.

"It is not the way people want to spend their night, so they are just not going to pubs as much."

The smoking ban came into force on July 1 last year, making it a criminal offence to smoke in enclosed public places.

Some pubs have created outdoor smoking shelters, but others did not have the space to do so.

Mr Davison predicted that more rural pubs will close.

He said: "It is sad for the trade, but I think a lot more public houses are going to end this way "This is the state of things to come."

Mr Davison has won planning permission to have his pub demolished and plans to sell the land to a housing developer.

Durham City Council has approved the plan.

Councillor John Turnbull is a Durham City and a Brandon Parish councillor but does not sit on the planning committee.

He said: "It is a another loss for the community and we have already lost a working men's club.

"It was a good facility and the pub used to do meals for pensioners, which allowed them to get out of the house.

"It was a place people could go to meet up with friends and enjoy a drink and now they will have to go elsewhere. We've lost one of our few social gathering spots."
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Pro-smoking website redirected to 'baccy free zone

Pro-smoking website redirected to 'baccy free zone
DNS attack provokes cacophony of hacking coughs

Hackers attacked the websites of two organisations campaigning against the smoking ban last week, redirecting UK users to the NHS Smokefree site.

The attack, which targeted British organisation Freedom2Choose and Forces International, lasted 11 hours. Freedom2Choose webmaster Steven Cross said the redirect appeared to have been caused by a DNS poisoning attack.

"One hour after the attack we received a phone call about what was happening, but there was not much we could do since it was not our server that had been attacked," he explained.

Freedom2Choose vice chairman Andy Davis said (without apparent irony): "It appears that Freedom2Choose has annoyed someone high up - it seems they don't want the truth to get out."

Both groups claim the smoking bans are based on fraudulent scientific claims about passive smoking. "Five out of six studies show second-hand smoke to be entirely harmless," says Davis.

A spokeswoman for Freedom2Choose told The Register the organisation was funded by members and run by volunteers. It has 85 members who pay £10 to join.

Forces International president Stephanie Stahl said: "To redirect our UK visitors to an anti-smoking website shows that the anti-smoking movement must be very nervous about the information our pro-freedom groups provide. Domain names are sacred on the free-spirited information super highway - we trust that those responsible for this serious violation will be identified and held accountable."

No one has been fingered as the author of the attack but, much to the relief of the tobacco-fanciers, both sites are working now. No matter how healthy the NHS Smokefree site may be, its content will never be as amusing as reading the claims that the smoking ban is a case of "social engineering", or that the ban in NY is "causing all kinds of problems [and] 'bad vibes'".
http://www.theregister.co.uk/

Smoking pub in 'last chance saloon'

Smoking pub in 'last chance saloon'
By Chris Visser and David Coates
A club manager has been told she is in the last chance saloon after becoming one of the first in Preston to be caught flouting anti-smoking laws.
Donna Stevens has been threatened with prosecution if members at Fishwick Ramblers Working Men's Club light up again.

She has been hit with a final warning letter amid threats by council bosses that it is the "final stage before prosecution".

But Ms Stevens, boss of the Mornington Road club, has hit back, saying pubs and members clubs are being crippled by the ban which came into force in July last year.

She said a few members "taking the Mick" in February was to blame for her being hauled before council officials.

The manager said: "A council official came in just as we were sorting the situation out with the members who had been smoking but he was not interested in any explanations and called me for an interview.

"I know the law is the law but my view is that we are a members only club and if people do not like people smoking, they do not have to become a member.

"We are suffering the effects of the ban like everyone else, no-one likes standing outside in the cold during the winter but hopefully that will improve in the summer when the weather gets better."

Preston Council said two people were issued with £50 fixed penalties since the ban – which prohibits smoking in public places – came into force.

A council spokesman said: "On the whole Preston has responded very well to the smoke free legislation with most premises now operating as smoke free. This is reflected in the low level of enforcement notices and fixed penalties which we have had to issue."

A spokesman for South Ribble Council said the authority had issued two fixed penalties and "several warning letters".

She said: "Our emphasis in the first few months has been in contacting and educating employers. Now that's been in position for a few months, we are turning towards enforcement.

"I would expect the number to rise in the next few months unless everybody is being good."

Fylde Council said the authority had "only issued several warnings" while Chorley Council is taking legal action against a non-payment of a fine.

Elspeth Lee, Cancer Research UK's head of tobacco control, said: "The legislation was introduced to protect workers and the public from secondhand smoke. Research shows the health of bar workers has improved dramatically."

Blackpool landlord Hamish Howitt was the first publican in England to be convicted for breaching smoking ban legislation last November.

The Happy Scots Bar owner recently failed to overturn the ruling using human rights law.
http://www.lep.co.uk

Tacklers' club fined over smoking ban breach

Tacklers' club fined over smoking ban breach

A CLUB in Colne is the first licensed premises in Pendle to fall foul of the ban on smoking.
Steward Peter Valentine (54), who has run The Tacklers', in Knowsley Street, for two years, was prosecuted for allowing smoking lock-ins at the club on three weekends in October and November.

He appeared at Reedley Magistrates' Court, where he was fined £315 after being caught by health inspectors allowing customers to light up after hours on November 2nd.

Pendle Council's Executive member for the environment, Coun. John David, said the fine should act as a warning to licensees. "I strongly criticise anyone who ignores public health and the national smoking ban like this," he said.
http://www.pendletoday.co.uk

Courtney Love banned from flight for smoking

Courtney Love banned from flight for smoking
The former Hole singer lit up a cigarette in a Virgin Airways first-class lounge as she and daughter Frances Bean waited for their plane to London.
But as a result, bosses at the unnamed airport decided she couldn't get on the aircraft and the pair had to wait for another flight.

Courtney said: "I had a cigarette in the first-class lounge – like two hits. And they wouldn't let me on the plane with my daughter. They made out I was a terrorist or something. It was embarrassing."

Courtney - the widow of Nirvana rocker Kurt Cobain - is not the first celebrity to get herself in trouble with flying authorities.
http://www.lep.co.uk/

Cig factory jobs to go as smoking ban hits

Cig factory jobs to go as smoking ban hits

UP to 75 jobs are to be axed by a cigarette filter company after bosses revealed turnover has been hit by the smoking ban and a global downturn.
Filtrona Filters, the world's largest independent supplier of cigarette filters is shedding almost 20 per cent of its workforce at Bede Industrial Estate in Jarrow as demand hits an all-time low.

Bosses at the company revealed the news to staff earlier this week, but it is not yet known who will lose their job.

There will now be a 30-day consultation period to decide which positions will go, leaving the 375 staff fearing the worst.

One machine operator, who fears he may be one of those at risk, told the Gazette today: "It's terrible news, but it can't be helped.

"We're not doing as well as we used to, and they don't need such a big work force any more.

"I've got a family to support, and I'm just praying I'm not one of the unlucky ones to lose my job. I don't know what I'd do.

"Morale is not very good at the moment. It's horrible not knowing."

Filtrona Filters, which has 12 branches worldwide, has struggled since the smoking ban was introduced in July last year, and its Richmond branch was forced to close down last year.

The factory makes filter tips for cigarettes, with much of its production being for the export market.

John Scollen, regional director for Europe for Filtrona Filters, said: "We've been experiencing some challenging trading conditions lately, and activity is down.

"The worldwide tobacco industry has been changing at an increasingly rapid pace.

"Increased smoking restrictions and taxation policies have generated declines in cigarette consumption in North America and Western Europe.

"In the meantime, in response to the reduction in volumes, the company is proposing a potential headcount reduction involving up to 75 redundancies across the plant.

"Unfortunately, we need to size the facility for the demand."

A senior union boss said he is "very worried" about job losses at Filtrona, one of the biggest employers in the area.

Tom Brennan, regional secretary of the GMB, said: "Any redundancies hitting the manufacturing sector is a matter of great concern to us.

"It appears the recent smoking legislation and the general downturn in the number of smokers is hitting the company.

"In response to this, Filtrona loo
ks set to move some of its production out of the area.

"But as the major union at the factory, the GMB will be attempting to mitigate any job losses at Filtrona."

Staff were told about the jobs axe this week, and statutory negotiations will be launched as part of the redundancy process.

Mr Brennan added: "At the last count, the factory employed between 350 and 370 people, and that makes it one of the largest employers in the area.

"We will do all we can to help those facing redundancy."

Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn said: "Filtrona is a well respected local firm, which has provided good jobs and lots of employment to people in the area for many years.
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/

"It is very sad that people are being given their redundancy notices, but I will be working with Tom Brennan at the GMB and Coun Paul Waggott, leader of South Tyneside Council, to try and get something out of the situation."

Town suffers third pub closure

Town suffers third pub closure

The credit crunch and the smoking ban have been blamed for a series of pub closures in a Kent town.

Yates wine bar in Margate’s Cecil Square closed last week after eight years of trade - the third pub in the town to shut in recent months, following The Cottage in the High Street and The Wellington.

The popular chain is the latest victim of dwindling bar sales across the UK brought on by the smoke-free laws and increasing prices – its parent corporation, Laurel Pub Company, sold 293 of its sites to two new firms and put 90 loss-making pubs, including Yates Margate, into administration as a result.

Head of Thanet’s pub chain Thorley Taverns, Frank Thorley, sympathised with the closure and pointed out that Alistair Darling’s new excise duty was having a worse impact than the smoking ban.

He said: “We don’t take any satisfaction from its closure. It’s the loss of a popular and well established pub. Trade is very difficult at this particular time and the smoking ban has had an impact but the excise duty rise, under the present circumstances, is just ridiculous.

“It’s not going to stop binge drinking; very few people binge drink in pubs purely because if we let people get drunk and misbehave, we’d lose our licence.

“It’s off-sales that they should have concentrated on because more and more people are drinking at home.

“As far as the closure of Yates’s though, this is a national problem and is not specific to Margate. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation.”
http://kentonline.co.uk/

Dragging on - the struggle to ban smoking in Switzerland

Dragging on - the struggle to ban smoking in Switzerland
Irish Sun
The land of health spas, muesli and mountain air, Switzerland remains one of the last havens for smokers in Europe and there is a powerful restaurant and hotel lobby set on keeping it that way.

However, while the smoker still holds sway in many restaurants and bars across most of the country the non-smoker is breaking out of his corner.

So far laws have been brought in piecemeal regionally. Six out of 26 cantons have introduced laws to curb passive smoking with others planning to follow.

Two have gone for a total ban, Ticino being the first in April 2007, inspired by its neighbour Italy, followed by Geneva where measures come into force July 1.

Smoking is estimated to kill around 1,000 people in Switzerland a year, a fifth of them non-smokers.

Now the federal government is working on countrywide legislation, which would bring it into line with much of Europe. Some 18 European countries have now brought in laws after Ireland set the ball rolling in 2004.

According to government figures for 2007, around a third of Swiss smoke. They cost the economy an estimated 5 billion francs ($4.94 billion) a year in medical bills, absenteeism, invalidity and premature deaths. An extra half a billion is added to that for secondary smokers.

The Federal Public Health Department says most secondary smoking takes place in restaurants and bars. Three out of four non-smokers want a total ban and 40 percent of smokers.

The hotel and restaurant federation, GastroSuisse has challenged that. It represents 20,000 establishments throughout Switzerland and says its own recent survey of 500 people showed 77 percent of people support a smoking area in restaurants.

Director Florian Hew said health fanatics were only too eager to promote the idea that the Swiss were massively against smoking in restaurants and cafes.

He said: 'We defend the freedom for our members to make up their own minds on their policy about smoking.'

Others are opposed to an outright ban. Toni Bortoluzzi, a member of the rightwing Swiss People's Party, says its wrong to ban a legal product.

'The state interferes in private affairs when it defines the rules of tobacco consumption in a privately-owned restaurant or a bar,' he said in an interview.

One bar owner in Bern