Smoke ban rebel Howitt selling up
26 October, 2007
A second rebel reveals he is quitting the trade
Hamish Howitt, one of the three smoke ban rebels, has confirmed he is selling his pub.
He is the second of the rebels to reveal he is selling up after news yesterday that Herefordshire licensee Tony Blows had also put his pub on the market.
Howitt, licensee at Delboy’s Sports Bar, in Blackpool, told thepublican.com that the “cost of fighting the council” over the ban was reason he was quitting.
“The smoking ban has crippled takings at my karaoke bar,” he said. “The government has taken an invisible baseball bat to us. It’s smoking now, but alcohol will be next.”
Howitt’s premises is on the market for £600,000 for the freehold through agents GA Select.
He added that he was looking to get a taxi driver’s licence to help fund his on-going battle against the ban.
Howitt is due in court on November 5 facing charges of allegedly flouting the smoking ban.
Meanwhile, Blows, licensee of the Dog Inn, in Eways Harold, Herefordshire, is having his case heard at Hereford magistrates court today, where he faces two charges of failing to stop people smoking on his premises, and one of smoking himself in his pub.
Readers' comments
Profound regrets, Hamish. It is all very well having laudable intentions but it is nonsense to claim that this is about health. Health is not achieved by slavishly following orders based on unscientific claims that tobacco smoke is as dangerous as asbestos or ricin. Health is not achieved in society by allowing authority to determine the conditions in which people are allowed to associate and spend their time together. That is a very dangerous precedent, and letting the government off with it is quite irresponsible. It is an authoritarian society in by the back door ... even with kid gloves on and purrring about health improvements. Well done to Hamish, and to Nick and Tony as well. There are more reasonable solutions to smoke, if some people find it a nuisance, and we will find them, and your contributions will not be forgotten.
Howitt has just used this as his "15 minutes of fame" before giving up on a business that he obviously wasn't any good at in the first place. That a mere 3 publicans have behaved so childishly is an indication that other publicans have the mettle and determination to make their businesses a success, rather than act the martyr.
Stick to the LAW then, then you wont get fined and be forced out will you. Whats the problem, for Gods sake. Everyone should stick to this law - it benefits the health of everyone!! Thats the idea of it - the ONLY idea of it. Its the Govt actually being sensible and trying to improve health - what possible harm is that? I agree with this law. Why cant these people just stay where they are, abide by the law, and stick together with locals and new customers. Thats what the other pubs are doing/have done, and its working. The smoking ban is one of the best laws this Govt. has brought in in a long time - my family runs a pub - trade has never been better.