 |
Opponents of ban on smoking launch campaign
to stop 'political suicide' - Scotsman.com
Published 09th September, 2004.
Story from scotsman.com: http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=663&id=1060272004
IT WAS a strange juxtaposition. As 12,000 delegates at a major conference
on respiratory problems headed home from Glasgow clear in their determination
for a ban on smoking in
public places to be introduced, so the pro-smoking lobby kicked off their
campaign on their
right to light up.
In the lounge of the Doublet Bar in the city’s West End, yesterday,
the Freedom2Choose campaign insisted that the First Minister, Jack McConnell,
would commit "political suicide" by imposing a smoking ban in
public places.
Instead, the businesspeople and publicans behind the new UK-wide campaign
claim that pubs, restaurants and associated businesses will face "crippling
consequences" if a ban were introduced.
The launch of the campaign in Scotland follows the recent visit of Mr
McConnell to Ireland, where a ban already exists, during which the First
Minister signalled his intention to impose one.
Liam Stratton, the Scottish spokesman for Freedom2Choose, said: "We
just couldn’t stand by and watch a ban be imposed. I think it’s
unwise for Jack McConnell to give his opinion before the consultation
has ended.
"We don’t feel that the public is being properly consulted and
pub goers aren’t being asked their opinions."
Mr Stratton, who is the general manager of a wholesale tobacconists and
vending machine operator in Glasgow, said that every pub in the UK would
be sent a petition allowing punters the opportunity to voice their opposition
to a ban.
Instead, he is calling for alternatives which include ventilation systems
to rid bars of smoke, clearly defined smoking and non-smoking areas and
a ban on smoking at the bar.
"Our mission is to allow smokers and non-smokers alike to enjoy their
leisure time," he added. "We’re looking for a Scottish
solution, not an Irish or American solution.
"If this ban was introduced, it’s not only publicans who would
be affected, but also taxi drivers, cleaners, brewers, even night bus
services as more smokers decide to stay home."
Mr Stratton added that in a city like Glasgow a ban may prove unworkable,
or even dangerous.
He said: "Who is going to police this ban? We’re in Glasgow
and if everyone’s forced out on the street after a big football match,
then that will prove a recipe for disaster."
Alistair Don, the proprietor of the Doublet and president of the Scottish
Licensed Trade Association, said: "If this goes ahead, it will be
political suicide for the First Minister.
"I’ve been to Dublin and spent more than just two hours there,
as Mr McConnell did.
"Every person I spoke to said that trade was down - even the taxi
drivers told us that people were shifting from the pubs to their homes.
A ban here would kill the licensed trade."
Although the prohibition has been welcomed generally in Dublin, publicans
outside the city have warned that business has suffered. Wholesalers have
also reported a 15 per cent drop in beer and spirits trade.
In Scotland, a ban could be in place by March 2006.
