Hartlepool

If you own a pub outright and issue invites to people to attend a function on your premises,can those attendees smoke on the premises?

Geoffrey Collier

B.A. Ware: First, I am not an anti-smoker. I don't smoke, and dislike others smoking near me. I don't play golf, but I'm not anti-golf. There was a time when mokers held sway: reastauranrts, cinemas, theatres, trains, and everywhere else. Few, if any, desisted out of consideration for others; but the non-smokers didn't make a fuss. That situation existed for many reasons, it changed for many reasons, it was'nt the triumph of Fascism over Libertarianism. The mechanism of social change is complex and a contested.
process.

In the late 1950's many country pubs, smartened themselves-up, and became
steak-bars for different socio-economic groups, travelling from different geographical locations. Nothing wrong with that; but soon all was to change. The threathalyser desroyed that trade virtually over-night. We can understand the how the owners must have felt; but the reduction in road deaths virtually halved over the coming years. Again, many other factors were involved, but breathalysers were an important tool in effecting that reduction. Social good co-existed with certain economic harm: Isn't that what normally happens?

I think that the market-system will not develop perfectly. The future of the small pub, or indeed small anything, is bleak, but subsidising such establishments with rate-relief, or other publically funded support systems would be even worse. Let it evolve; some will survive by good management, good luck and innovation. Condemning bureaucrats, while seeing them as your likely saviour, does appear to be slightly contradictory.

Like wearing seat-belts in cars, and removing spittoons from pubs, and smoking bans in public places, the protests will be of limited duration. We are an adaptable people.

eublues

Tories Backed For General Election

26 April 2008

Tories Backed For General Election

With their opinion poll lead at record levels, the Conservatives are now the shortest price they have been since Labour took office to win the next General Election.

Bookies William Hill are quoting the Conservatuves at 1/ 2 to be the largest single party, with Labour at 6/4 - their longest odds since Gordon Brown came to power. The Lib-Dems are at 66/1.

William Hill offer 13/8 that there will be a Hung Parliament.

However, bookmakers do not believe that Gordon Brown will call an election for the next two years and offer odds of 4/6 that he will next go to the country in 2010.

For the first time, there is expected to be significant interest in the performance of UKIP (UK Independence Party) in the next General Election. UKIP are the only main political party to have stated in their manifesto that they intend to repeal the smoking ban. As a result, many of the UK's huge base of smokers are expected to switch loyalties to UKIP.

Anthony Butcher

Is Robert Cook, the owner of 'Casino Beacon' a UKIP member/supporter perhaps? There are at least three articles this month all suggesting UKIP will be gaining substantial votes based solely on the smoking ban policy.

If the next GE isn't until 2010, the smoking ban will probably be a non-issue. Smokers will have adapted their lives. The pubs that are going to close will have closed. I can't see it being a major vote draw for UKIP.

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Label My Food - http://www.labelmyfood.org.uk

gimlet

I think he will call it early rather than late. to quote:


GORDON BROWN will be ready to fight a general election at any point from October this year, one of his Cabinet colleagues said last night.

Gloomy growth forecasts for 2009 in Wednesday’s budget have prompted speculation that the poll will be put back until May 2010, the latest date that it could be held.

More at:

Brown ready for early election, says Blears - icWales

Bob FM

GC keeps coming back to smokers, the smoking ban was never about smokers, it was about the myth of passive smoking, and worker health, the very same workers in hospitality who were content now in the UK alone, over 20'000 of those content workers have lost their jobs. Probably not so content now. Speaking as a Publican/Motel owner who believed the ban wouldn't have a significant impact on me from a 7% rise in turnover May to July 2007, I am now down nearly 14%, since the ban. That is not perception that is reality. Non smokers are not replacing the smoker. It was also said that come a general election things would have settled down and smoking bans will not be an issue. Yes they will because HMG have a legal obligation to review the ban after 3 years, Ie. 2010. Rest assured all the Pro choice groups will be making sure that review takes place, as will UKIP, because politically and morally it will be our duty to do so. So I say to GC and others. Hate smoking if you must but at least acknowledge the truth about bans they are based on a lie. And as for not Judging Britain on research from other countries, well what can I say. The UK has never done a single piece of research on the effects of passive smoking in the context of the need for a ban. So GC your whole bases for justification is, using your own logic, flawed

cookie65

I bought 4000 of the 'Bin the Ban' beermats, they are flying out. Not one pub has refused them. Every pub in Hyde Town centre is now displaying them.

Mikeuk

Presumably this smoking ban is yet another edict from the EU? All the other member countries seem to be doing the same.

I find it incredible that noted smokers such as the French and the Irish are putting up with this.

Personally I prefer to drink in a non-smoking pub, but it should be a matter for free choice.

B.A.Ware

Geoffrey i think Bob FM has made my point for me. The ban was based on a lie about passive smoking.

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We’re not just about Europe.

kernow

I totally agree! Very well said!