Proactiviteit in Wales
In navolging van Ierland poogt nu ook het Welshe lokale parlement een rookverbod in de horeca in te voeren, maar de horecaorganisatie probeert dat te voorkomen. Meer dan 3000 pubs eisen nu via hun organisatie, de Licensed Victuallers Wales (LVW), een gesprek met het parlement. Ook plannen ze diverse onderlinge bijeenkomsten om gezamenlijk hun strategie te bespreken.
Tegelijk zijn ook de Noord-Ierse pubeigenaren in verzet tegen plannen van de overheid daar.
Licensed Victuallers Wales (LVW) is calling for a meeting with the Welsh Assembly in an attempt to block a possible smoking ban.
The group is hoping to meet with members in the next month to discuss the proposed ban.
Last week 50 publicans attended a LVW meeting in Pendarren in South Wales to discuss the next move in the battle to block a smoking ban.
Three other meetings are planned this month to generate further support. It is estimated 3,000 pubs are now involved in the fight against the ban.
Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan’s Bill to give Wales the right to ban smoking has now been derailed by the General Election, but it is sure to return to the Commons later this year.
John Price, secretary of the LVA, said: “We will continue our fight against any potential ban.”
Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade (FRLT) has delivered a submission to the country’s Department of Health urging compromise in their own debate. Included in the submission were more than 5,200 postcards from pub staff and customers.
Nicola Carruthers, the FRLT’s chief executive, said: “No smoking at the bar, smoke-free areas and controlled ventilation would achieve the aims for removing smoke while still allowing pubs to contribute to the economy.”
Guernsey is set to ban smoking in public places and workplaces within a year.
Bron: Publican