TV chef and restaurateur Antony Worral Thompson has become an additional member of a campaign group demanding the smoking ban be amended.
Thompson, along with MPs from three of the main political parties are asking for a more relaxed attitude to the strict ban after many venues are losing money, making staff redundant and even closing down.
The campaigners would like the British system to take a leaf from the Spainiard’s book, where establishments with a small amount of floor space can opt to be smoking or non-smoking, but places with an area larger than 100 square metres can create a completely separate smoking room.
In addition they would like to see smoking tobacco legalised for venues where the appropriate license is obtained which guarantees an efficient ventilation system and quality of air.
Campaigners would also like to see the Government giving way to local authorities in decision making surrounding smoking regulations.
The British Beer and Pub Association report that since the ban as many as six pubs are closing every day, and that urgent action must be taken in order to prevent more from closing.
Patron of the smokers’ group, Forest, Worral Thompson said, “The smoking ban has had an extraordinarily detrimental effect on pubs and clubs, and you can understand why.
“They used to be bastions of adult entertainment where young and old could meet and chat over a pint without the health police looking over their shoulders.
“Modern ventilation systems combined with separate rooms make it perfectly acceptable to smoke indoors. The legislation as it stands is excessive and I would like to see it amended.”
Greg Knight, Conservative MP for East Yorkshire, David Clelland, Labour MP for Tyne Bridge and John Hemming, Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley have all pledged their support to the campaign.
Mr Knight said, “I fully support this campaign. Britain’s pubs and clubs are at the heart of every local community and the UK approach of banning indoor smoking everywhere is damaging the viability of many licensed premises where people wish to smoke.
“Pub landlords and club committees know best what their customers want and they should be allowed to provide smoking rooms if there is a demand.”
