Call for smoking ban compensation

Pub landlords fear a smoking ban will hurt their business

A brewery is calling for compensation for anyone who loses their job as a result of the introduction of a smoking ban in its pubs.

SA Brain, which has around 200 pubs in Cardiff, said there was no doubt some would close if a ban was implemented.

The assembly government is expected to go further than England, and introduce an outright ban.

In England, private clubs and non-food pubs are likely to be exempt.

Brains retail director Philip Lay told BBC Wales that a smoking ban would push some pubs out of business and said there should be compensation.

"A ban will affect jobs," he said. "People will not go to pubs as frequently because it's a place they can't go for a chat and a fag. And whether you like that or don't like it, the fact of the matter is that jobs will be lost.

The assembly said details of a smoking ban have to be drawn up

"The only thing we can discuss is the level of closures and what sort of support that the assembly ought to be providing for those people who lose their businesses and their homes."

In July 2005, the Licensed Victuallers' Association, the body that represents landlords, held a demonstration outside the assembly building in Cardiff Bay, claiming a stringent ban would damage their business.

One pub in Swansea, the Lounge Bar, went non-smoking two years ago but during the summer it reversed its policy.

Colin Davis, the owner of the Clydach Vale Hotel in Rhondda, said so many of his customers smoke that a total ban would really hit his business.

Hospitality sector

He said: "This is a smoking pub. We've taken a survey, me and my wife. One Saturday night here, there were 157 people in here. I think there were 15 people that didn't smoke.

"So they want me to ban the 132 people and keep the 15 people in who don't smoke. It's a bit crazy. They are going to shut a lot of pubs down, I reckon."

The assembly government's ability to bring in a ban was unveiled when the UK Government's Health Improvement Bill was passed this week.

In a statment reacting to the call for compensation, said it would look at "economic issues" once detailed proposals had been drawn up.

A spokesperson said Ireland's smoking ban had shown there had been "no overall adverse economic effect" on that country's hospitality sector.

"The process of drawing up regulations for a smoking ban will involve a regulatory assessment which will cover economic issues," he added.

"Until this is carried out there's little we can say."