Council backtracks on outside smoking ban
27 February, 2008
Barnsley Council will not stop smoking on the streets
Plans to stop smoking outside bars in Barnsley have been ditched following a meeting between the council and trade representatives.
Members of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), the FLVA and Barnsley LVA met with the leader of Barnsley Council today to discuss outside smoking ban proposals.
After the meeting Lee Le Clercq, the BBPA's regional secretary, said: “We had a useful meeting with council members and officials and we can now say categorically that there will be no ban on smoking in the open air in Barnsley or anywhere else for that matter.
"Whether this story originated from the ambitions of certain local politicians or from a misunderstanding between the council and local media, the matter is now clear. Customers will continue to smoke quite lawfully in the open air."
Alan Jane, Barnsley LVA chairman and Dennis Griffiths FLVA vice-president also attended and all parties were pleased that the matter is now settled.
Lee Le Clercq added: “Barnsley Council hosts a well supported licensees forum and it was particularly disappointing that this issue, which so directly affects licensed businesses, had not been directed through that forum. The council has agreed that in future this forum should act as an initial conduit for all ideas, the good and the not so good!"
In a report called ‘Guidelines for Safe Streets’ the council had outlined a plan to stop smoking on the streets outside pubs.
Readers' comments
lets go a stage further and ban breathing outside. The way this government operates nothing would surprise me.
Ban smoking outside? Oh come on you can't have your cake and eat it! Anyway if they ban smoiking cigarettes outside due to 'health issues' then you will also have to ban car exhausts, bonfires, BBQs, steam powered vehicles, fireworks, coal powered fire stations..............the list goes on. They all produce smoke that's harmful if breathed in!
IF THEY WONT LET US SMOKE OUTSIDE! LETS GO BACK INSIDE! YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE
Is it any wonder they want to ban people outside pubs smoking when they look like those two idiots!!
Why dont pubs adopt a outdoor smoking and non-smoking areas now, which can be swapped depending on the wind. If every pub did this it may prevent the inevitable which will be a ban on smoking outside. No use crying when it comes in! dont make the same mistake as with the smoking ban! Be pro-active act now!