Outdoor smoking plan will highlight problems

A PROTEST against the smoking ban could fall foul of the licensing laws. Pub-goers are being urged to smoke outside bars between 10pm and 11pm on Friday week.

The protest has been organised by campaign group Support Our Smokers following the States decision to ban smoking in all enclosed public areas and workplaces.

'This might cause a bit of chaos on the pavements, especially with pubs which don't have a lot of space outside, but we hope this will demonstrate to politicians and the public that a total smoking ban is going to cause a few problems,' said SOS president Peter Leigh.

'We feel we need to do this because many of the politicians still believe the ban will make no difference to pubs at all.'

But police warned that while everbody had a right to protest peacefully, taking drinks outside premises which did not hold alfresco licences might put the licensee in some difficulty.

'It would be incumbent on licensees to ensure that no drinking takes place outside their premises,' said a police spokesman. 'We would urge persons taking part to ensure that their actions do not cause any obstruction of footways, roads, entrances to premises or fire exits, for safety reasons,' he said.

Pubs which have already agreed to take part in the action include The Yacht, the Mariners' Inn, the Golden Lion, the Victoria Arms and the Hampshire Lodge.

'We are asking all landlords who support us to do the same to show what effect it will have with people standing on pavements and people taking glasses and bottles with them,' said Mr Leigh. 'We do not think the ban in pubs will be enforceable. Politicians have said it will be self-regulating but we think it will cause more problems than it solves.'

The protest decision was taken by SOS members on Monday.

'If people don't like the smoking ban, we would urge them to sign our leaflets around the island's bars and various establishments. We would also ask the public to write with their views to politicians ' smokers and non-smokers,' said Mr Leigh.

He added that people would take their drink outside because the anti-drink-spiking campaign states that people should not leave it unattended.

SOS is also trying to organise a public meeting about the plans.

Public consultation about the smoking ban started last month.

The Smoke-free Advisory Group will report to the Health and Social Services Department before proposals for the implementation of the already-approved ban come back to the House. It will be considering possible exemptions.

The department wants to obtain independent advice on the issues after the public consultation, which will last until the end of this month.

Views should be sent in writing by the end of the month to the advisory group's chairman, Jurat Alan Bisson, c/o Yvonne Kaill, Public Health Directorate, Princess Elizabeth Hospital, St Martin's, GY4 6UU.