Around 200 [tag]landlords[/tag] are planning a ‘day of defiance’ when the [tag]smoking ban[/tag] is enforced in enclosed public places from July 1st. More landlords are expected to join the protest, allowing their customers to continue smoking and risking a ₤2500 penalty.
Smokers who break the law will face a ₤50 fine.

The rebellious landlords insist they are not necessarily pro-smoking but they believe everybody should have the freedom of choice.

Two years ago, here in Catalunya there were also significant changes in the smoking laws- it became illegal to smoke in the workplace, and [tag]bars[/tag] under a certain size had to decide to become ’smoking’ or ‘non smoking’ establishments (larger businesses could section of an area for smokers). I did not imagine any of the businesses would take the ‘non smoking’ option, as it seemed to me around 75% of the population were smokers. I was quite taken aback at the number of small bars that did become no smoking zones. I was even more surprised at the locals acceptance of this- I do not recall hearing one person complain- the only person who seemed quite put out was a cashier at a bank I use, who continually dropped fag ash on her work and money, and sat proudly underneath a stained yellow hand written sign that proclaimed ‘This is a smoking workplace’. However even she now seems to have accepted her fate and is no longer nervously clock watching every few minutes as she was during the first days of the ban.

Even more amazingly, there seems to have been a significant reduction in the number of smokers- it is now much rarer to see people smoking in the street, although that is certainly stiill permitted.

I am an ex-smoker and do not have any problems with people smoking around me but I must admit it is rather nice not to go home after an evening out smelling like an overflowing ashtray, but on the other hand I think it a shame that generations to come will never know the pleasure of walking into a closed pub ‘the morning after’ and smelling that delightful aroma of stale [tag]beer[/tag] and musty cigarette smoke from the night before. There is nothing quite like it.

 

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 3rd, 2007 at 9:38 pm and is filed under UK Pubs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.