UK News 11-11-2004 Scots Ban Smoking in Public who: British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) what: Expected to volunteer to make pubs smoke-free following Scots ban when: Yesterday snippet: "Smoking will be forbidden in pubs in England and Wales within five years," reckons The Times, "even if the Government does not impose a statutory ban as agreed in Scotland yesterday." Yesterday, the Scottish Executive - all of whom are non-smokers, points out Hamish MacDonell in The Scotsman - voted unanimously in support of the ban. Environmental health and local licensing officers will be able to fine pub customers £100 on the spot if they break the law and licensees, landlords and employers will be expected to help. If they allow anyone to light up on their premises, they could face a fine of up to £2,600. Scottish first minister Jack McConnell "will have a lot to answer for when people start losing their jobs," reckons club promoter Donald McLeod, quoted in The Daily Record. "We all know that smoking is bad for you and it kills, but it is undemocratic to refuse people the choice." It will not end there. Reporter Tom Baldwin in The Times says the Beer and Pub Association is volunteering to make pubs in England and Wales smoke-free by 2008 in an effort to undermine government plans for a strict new licensing system which are due to be unveiled in a White Paper on public health next Tuesday. [... more]

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