We must lobby customers NOW

Smokers are under threat. Editor Dominic Roskrow, who has campaigned on behalf of the Smoking Charter since its launch in 1998, explains how the trade can fight back

It started as a trickle and is now a flood – the move to ban smoking in public places has grown in to being a very real threat indeed for restaurateurs, bar owners and publicans across Britain.

And as the anti-smoking lobby has grown in confidence and has seen his chance to drive the smoker out of the on trade entirely, many in the industry have responded to what is in effect a feeding frenzy in exactly the wrong way – they have conceded ground in the debate in a bid to curb further restrictions – and further encouraged the banners in the process.

Now it is essential that everyone in the industry highlights how much is being done to accommodate the nonsmoker. And we must appeal to nonsmokers who will tolerate the smoker’s right to smoke to join the campaign to avoid an outright ban on smoking in public places.

The argument has to be moved back from the emotive and irrational and back to the logical.

Instead of bowing to the hysterics of the anti-smoking lobby who focus on the negatives, it is essential that those against an entire ban point out that much of the anti-smoking argument is accepted: people should be able to eat and drink without breathing in smoke, bar staff should be protected from smoke, and smoke-free environments are a good thing.

But equally modern ventilation systems mean that such rights can be exercised without driving the smoker out on to the street.

The economic benefits to everyone of choice will help guarantee that we have a thriving bar and re.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Dominic Roskrow

Section : Smoking Issues

Page number : 17

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 2 on 01/11/2004.

This article is 94 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	We must lobby customers NOW Smokers are under threat. Editor Dominic Roskrow, who has campaigned on behalf of the Smoking Charter since its launch in 1998, explains how the trade can fight back It started as a trickle and is now a flood – the move to ban smoking in public places has grown in to being a very real threat indeed for restaurateurs, bar owners and publicans across Britain. And as the anti-smoking lobby has grown in confidence and has seen his chance to drive the smoker out of the on trade entirely, many in the industry have responded to what is in effect a feeding frenzy in exactly the wrong way – they have conceded ground in the debate in a bid to curb further restrictions – and further encouraged the banners in the process. Now it is essential that everyone in the industry highlights how much is being done to accommodate the nonsmoker. And we must appeal to nonsmokers who will tolerate the smoker’s right to smoke to join the campaign to avoid an outright ban on smoking in public places. The argument has to be moved back from the emotive and irrational and back to the logical. Instead of bowing to the hysterics of the anti-smoking lobby who focus on the negatives, it is essential that those against an entire ban point out that much of the anti-smoking argument is accepted: people should be able to eat and drink without breathing in smoke, bar staff should be protected from smoke, and smoke-free environments are a good thing. But equally modern ventilation systems mean that such rights can be exercised without driving the smoker out on to the street. The economic benefits to everyone of choice will help guarantee that we have a thriving bar and re..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Dominic Roskrow Section : Smoking Issues Page number : 17 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 2 on 01/11/2004. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 94 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.