Well it’s pretty clear the legislation forcing smokers onto the street was pretty successful, and non-smokers can go out without moaning about smoke*. From the first talks of the ban I understood why people wanted it, but it never took into account what smokers wanted – it was very one-sided.
This petition aims to level the playing field a bit, and allow some venues to allow smoking, perhaps even in certain areas divided from the main area. I think the idea of allowing a certain number of venues to have a smoking license would be a good idea because it gives the owners of the pubs freedom of choice. Even if one or two pubs in each area allowed smoking, it would give smokers the freedom of to smoke where they want, within the boundaries of not affecting people who don’t want to be around second hand smoke.
All I’m saying really, is that I think the odd pub would benefit having allowed smoking. I expect their business would boom, and the non-smoking pubs would fail – thus proving once more that the smoking ban itself did indeed damage the entertainment industry a little.
I think the petition is fair to both smokers and non-smokers, so I feel I should encourage you to have a look and sign it if you agree:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/smokinglicenses/
* Apart from the odd few who moan about smoking on the street or in beer gardens – jeez, give us a break!!
