Menu
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)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 April 2005
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.
29 November 2005
MPs set to debate smoking plans
MPs will debate government plans to introduce a partial smoking ban in England and Wales, when the legislation returns to the House of Commons for its second reading today. The Health Bill includes proposals to introduce a smoking ban in public places, but with exemptions for pubs and bars, which do not serve food and private members’ clubs.
MPs set to debate smoking plans
MPs will debate government plans to introduce a partial smoking ban in England and Wales, when the legislation returns to the House of Commons for its second reading today. The Health Bill includes proposals to introduce a smoking ban in public places, but with exemptions for pubs and bars, which do not serve food and private members’ clubs.
26 October 2005
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.
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.
22 August 2005
Survey reveals public support smoking ban
The majority of people in England and Wales would support a total ban on smoking in the workplace, a survey has claimed. The poll of 1,000 people, conducted by BMRB on behalf of anti-smoking lobby ASH and Cancer Research UK, found that 73% of those polled supported banning smoking in all workplaces, including pubs and restaurants.
Survey reveals public support smoking ban
The majority of people in England and Wales would support a total ban on smoking in the workplace, a survey has claimed. The poll of 1,000 people, conducted by BMRB on behalf of anti-smoking lobby ASH and Cancer Research UK, found that 73% of those polled supported banning smoking in all workplaces, including pubs and restaurants.
19 August 2005
Smoking ban ‘will widen health inequalities gap’, doctors claim
The government’s partial smoking ban will widen the health gap between the richest and poorest people in the UK, a study published in the British Medical Journal has claimed.
Smoking ban ‘will widen health inequalities gap’, doctors claim
The government’s partial smoking ban will widen the health gap between the richest and poorest people in the UK, a study published in the British Medical Journal has claimed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
