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MP calls for smoking ban to be revised
Thu 17 Jun 2010
Restrictions on smoking in licensed premises should be eased, a Conservative MP has stated.
Brian Binley, who represents Northampton South in the House of Commons, said the existing policy is "draconian, crude and crass".
Mr Binley, a non-smoker, has therefore suggested that people be allowed to smoke in separate rooms, as long as they are well-ventilated.
Speaking to the Morning Advertiser, he said modern extraction systems would be sufficient to stop people breathing in second-hand smoke.
Mr Binley added that the current policy on smoking indoors is doing "sizable damage" to pubs.
This coincides with the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers' calls for the government to avoid lowering the drink-drive limit.
Chief executive Nick Bish told the Daily Mail that such a move could lead to people staying away from pubs and cause more consumers to drink at home.
He conceded that many people are still "blatantly ignoring" the current drink-drive limit, but warned they would be unlikely to be deterred by a reduction in the threshold.
Robert Botkai, a partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, commented: "Readers are reminded that the views expressed in this news item do not necessarily represent my own views or those of Winckworth Sherwood.
"A relaxation of the smoking ban is a remote possibility and most unlikely.
"The lowering of the drink-drive limit may well happen and the argument that this will keep people away from pubs is unlikely to be persuasive."
