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NEWS RELEASE | Monday 9 October 2006
THE smokers' lobby group Forest has called on the government to offer tax breaks to businesses, including pubs and restaurants, that want to erect high quality outdoor smoking shelters.
"Forcing smokers outside and denying them any comfort or shelter would be a real kick in the teeth," said Forest director Simon Clark. "Some people may jump at the chance to give up smoking, but many more will resent being treated like lepers.
"Tax breaks for smoking shelters would not only suggest some level of compassion towards smokers, a quarter of the adult population, but it would be also be good for pubs and restaurants who might otherwise lose business if smokers choose either to stay at home or spend less time on the premises.
"Smokers are voters, too," added Clark, "and once the draconian nature of the smoking ban becomes fully apparent, some may rebel and vote for a party that offers to treat them in a more humane fashion."
The erection of high quality shelters, some made out of solid, treated materials, might even add to the local environment, said Clark. "Encouraging people to smoke in an attractive, well-built shelter that can hold a reasonable number of people in comfort is much better than having groups of people hanging around outside. It looks better and it's far easier to control cigarette litter which is bound to increase when smokers are forced outside."
In its submission to the government consultation on the regulations concerning smoke-free premises and vehicles, Forest also called on the government to encourage local authorities to deal quickly and sensibly with applications for outdoor smoking areas, especially those with awnings, fixed roofs and outdoor heaters.
"To achieve this," said Clark, "we need planning regulations that are simple, concise, and interpreted consistently by all local authorities."
The group, which claims to represent many of Britain's 13 million smokers, also called for an extensive public information campaign to alert people to the new regulations.
"In our experience," said Clark, "many people are unaware of how extensive the new regulations are, and what the penalties are for breaking the law. Relatively few members of the general public fully understand that smoking will be banned in every single pub, club and bar, and it's going to be a shock to many people if they are not forewarned.
"We urge the government to launch a major public awareness campaign, highlighting the full extent of the ban, so that no-one is under any illusions about the draconian nature of the legislation."
Forest also called for a "sunset" clause that would limit extensive 'no smoking' signage to an initial two-year period. "We accept that signage should be part of the initial public information campaign," said Clark. "After two years, however, everyone will know about the ban and there should be no need for intrusive signs that are designed not merely to inform but also to 'de-normalise' and alienate smokers from their environment."
See also: www.cigola.co.uk/ |
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