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From today's Independent
Brighton's locals quietly fume over plans for smoke-free pubs
By Matthew Beard and Anna Petherick
The Victorian seaside resort of Brighton may be blessed with a Californian-style climate at the moment, but it is not ready to accept the American states draconian anti-smoking laws just yet.
That was the unequivocal message emerging yesterday from the city's bars, clubs and cafés, that are being targeted in a plan drawn up by the council and health officials to stop smoking in public places.
Emboldened by zero-tolerance messages from Whitehall, local politicians have gone as far as to propose a ban, with £60 fines for non-compliance, as part of the strategy to reduce passive smoking.
With Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham also vying to become Britain's first smoke-free city, Brighton would benefit as much from its image as it would from its health record.
With public-run establishments such as theatres, museums and public transport already smoke free, the entertainment industry fears it has become a sitting duck.
Sat in the air-conditioned comfort of Envy, the city's biggest gay club, bar worker Rupert John feared he and his colleagues may become victims of political ambition.
Mr John, a smoker, said: "It's as if becoming a non-smoking city is the next frontier and a chance for publicising yourself as having the cleanest air in Britain. It might be good for tourism, but it would hurt trade.''
He pointed out that such policies may suit the permanently warmer climes in the United States but would be a nightmare for clubbers in the English winter. "You couldn't even light a cigarette out there in December, let alone smoke it,'' he said, pointing outside.
Already the venue only allows smoking after 5pm out of consideration to diners, but a ban would "seriously hurt'' business on a Saturday night, when the club fills to its 500 capacity.
At The Standard, a cavernous pub on Ship Street owned by brewing giant Scottish and Newcastle, an American bar worker, Karen Casey, admitted that her lungs had not been the same since she started pulling pints there, but was more concerned about upholding her principles.
"Of course there are health concerns but it is one of the last refuges for smokers and it should stay that way. My parents have worked in a bar in Boston [Massachusetts] all their lives. A ban there just means people go to the nearest town which is more tolerant of smoking.''
As she is called back behind the bar, her manager refers all further enquiries to the brewery who are part of an impressive industry lobby quietly but persuasively putting the brakes on any legislation.
Owen Smith, the owner of the Carousel fish restaurant, said a ban would improve public health and may boost takings.
Mr Smith, who opened the restaurant 11 years ago, said: "Although I've been a smoker, I appreciate it's not much fun in a restaurant. Ten years ago it was different but the industry is accepting that smokers will be marginalised and so it won't be a big deal if it's banned. It could even bring more customers in if we get written up in the tour guides as Britain's first smoke-free city.''
Des Turner, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, believes public opinion would be in favour of a ban. A recent poll by Mori found that 53 per cent of people were in favour. A spokeswoman for Brighton & Hove council said: "Brighton & Hove has been a tolerant place and non-smokers would like to see a ban on smoking one day. But in the meantime they are prepared to tolerate smokers if they keep to designated areas.'' Meanwhile, officials will be consulting their counterparts in Birmingham and watching developments in the Irish Republic, where a smoking ban is to be introduced next year. As one Brighton publican said: "If it can get past the pub trade over there it can surely work anywhere.''
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Brighton's locals quietly fume over plans for smoke-free pubs
By Matthew Beard and Anna Petherick
The Victorian seaside resort of Brighton may be blessed with a Californian-style climate at the moment, but it is not ready to accept the American states draconian anti-smoking laws just yet.
That was the unequivocal message emerging yesterday from the city's bars, clubs and cafés, that are being targeted in a plan drawn up by the council and health officials to stop smoking in public places.
Emboldened by zero-tolerance messages from Whitehall, local politicians have gone as far as to propose a ban, with £60 fines for non-compliance, as part of the strategy to reduce passive smoking.
With Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham also vying to become Britain's first smoke-free city, Brighton would benefit as much from its image as it would from its health record.
With public-run establishments such as theatres, museums and public transport already smoke free, the entertainment industry fears it has become a sitting duck.
Sat in the air-conditioned comfort of Envy, the city's biggest gay club, bar worker Rupert John feared he and his colleagues may become victims of political ambition.
Mr John, a smoker, said: "It's as if becoming a non-smoking city is the next frontier and a chance for publicising yourself as having the cleanest air in Britain. It might be good for tourism, but it would hurt trade.''
He pointed out that such policies may suit the permanently warmer climes in the United States but would be a nightmare for clubbers in the English winter. "You couldn't even light a cigarette out there in December, let alone smoke it,'' he said, pointing outside.
Already the venue only allows smoking after 5pm out of consideration to diners, but a ban would "seriously hurt'' business on a Saturday night, when the club fills to its 500 capacity.
At The Standard, a cavernous pub on Ship Street owned by brewing giant Scottish and Newcastle, an American bar worker, Karen Casey, admitted that her lungs had not been the same since she started pulling pints there, but was more concerned about upholding her principles.
"Of course there are health concerns but it is one of the last refuges for smokers and it should stay that way. My parents have worked in a bar in Boston [Massachusetts] all their lives. A ban there just means people go to the nearest town which is more tolerant of smoking.''
As she is called back behind the bar, her manager refers all further enquiries to the brewery who are part of an impressive industry lobby quietly but persuasively putting the brakes on any legislation.
Owen Smith, the owner of the Carousel fish restaurant, said a ban would improve public health and may boost takings.
Mr Smith, who opened the restaurant 11 years ago, said: "Although I've been a smoker, I appreciate it's not much fun in a restaurant. Ten years ago it was different but the industry is accepting that smokers will be marginalised and so it won't be a big deal if it's banned. It could even bring more customers in if we get written up in the tour guides as Britain's first smoke-free city.''
Des Turner, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, believes public opinion would be in favour of a ban. A recent poll by Mori found that 53 per cent of people were in favour. A spokeswoman for Brighton & Hove council said: "Brighton & Hove has been a tolerant place and non-smokers would like to see a ban on smoking one day. But in the meantime they are prepared to tolerate smokers if they keep to designated areas.'' Meanwhile, officials will be consulting their counterparts in Birmingham and watching developments in the Irish Republic, where a smoking ban is to be introduced next year. As one Brighton publican said: "If it can get past the pub trade over there it can surely work anywhere.''
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