General news - Smoking Rss news feed for Morning Advertiser

Imperial Tobacco drops cig machine campaign

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 07:03:00 GMT

Imperial Tobacco has dropped its campaign to reverse the imminent cigarette vending machine ban.

Protest over Stony Stratford smoking ban extension

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:38:00 GMT

A proposal to ban smoking on the streets of a Buckinghamshire town has been met with a 200-strong protest.

Smoking ban: traditional inner city pubs have suffered most

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 07:31:00 GMT

Traditional inner city pubs have suffered the most since the introduction of smoking bans in Scotland, England and Wales.

Scots trade group in smoke-ban fight

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:01:00 GMT

A Scottish trade group is fighting to re-introduce smoking in pubs, five years after the ban came in.

Smoke ban: no clear adverse effect on industry

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:25:00 GMT

The smoking ban has had “no clear adverse impact on the hospitality industry”, according to a report commissioned by the Department of Health.

Government sticks to vending machine ban

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:15:00 GMT

The Government has stuck to plans to ban cigarette vending machines in England from 1 October.

New hope for cig vending machines

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:31:00 GMT

Fresh hope has been raised that the cigarette vending machine ban could be stopped by legal action.

'No evidence smoking ban has closed pubs'

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 03:45:00 GMT

There is little, if any, evidence that the smoking ban had led to pub closures, according to the Government.

Diane Abbott pushes cigarette machine ban

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:59:00 GMT

Labour MP Diane Abbott is calling for the Coalition to “go ahead with Labour’s ban on cigarette vending machines and point of sales”.

Norwich Council uses 'spying' powers to catch smoke pub

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 07:53:00 GMT

Norwich City Council used controversial spying powers to investigate and fine a pub for flouting the smoking ban.

Tory MP vows to continue smoke ban fight

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:07:00 GMT

A Tory MP has vowed to continue the fight for a review of the smoking ban, despite the defeat of a recent Bill in the Commons.

MP's bid to relax smoking ban fails

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 01:06:00 GMT

An MP's bid to change the law to let pubs offer separate smoking areas has failed at the first stage.

LVA lobbies MPs on smoke ban relaxation

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:46:00 GMT

A Sussex-based trade body has written to three local MPs urging them to back a bid to relax the smoking ban.

JFL backs smoking ban review call

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:21:00 GMT

Justice for Licensees (JFL) has backed an MP’s call for a “thorough review” of the smoking ban in pubs and clubs.

Tory MP proposes relaxation of smoking ban

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 07:55:00 GMT

A Conservative MP is to table a Private Members’ Bill proposing a relexation of the smoking ban.

70% of pubs want smoking ban lifted, says survey

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 07:00:00 GMT

More than 70% of pub operators want the smoking ban to be lifted, according to a new survey by pro-choice organisation freedom2choose.

New device to combat cig vending ban

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:29:00 GMT

Cigarette machine operators are pinning their hopes on high-tech new 'anti-child' technology to argue that the machine ban is not needed.

Smoke ban ‘is main cause’ of pub losses

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:42:00 GMT

New research claims shock proof that the smoking ban has been the main cause of pub closures in the UK.

Parts of licensing reform 'years away'

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:09:00 GMT

Major plans to shake-up licensing won't be enacted until 2012 at the earliest, including plans for a new licensing objective of protecting public health.

UKIP urges smoking ban review support

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 07:57:00 GMT

A Euro MP has written to every North West MP urging them to support a review of the smoking ban in pubs.

Young people want smoking choice in pubs

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:30:00 GMT

Almost all young people want pubs to have the choice whether to allow smoking, according to a survey by anti-smoke ban group Freedom2Choose.

Twelve MPs want smoke ban review

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:19:00 GMT

Twelve MPs are backing calls for a "thorough" review of the smoking ban to consider separate smoking rooms for pubs.

Separate pub smoking room gets huge vote

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:17:00 GMT

More than three out of four licensees would support the introduction of a separate, well-ventilated smoking room in pubs.

Bavaria plumps for total smoking ban

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:02:00 GMT

Smoking will be banned at Germany’s famous annual festival Oktoberfest following a public vote.

Smoking ban 3 years on: what's your view?

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:27:00 GMT

This week marks the third anniversary of the English smoking ban — and the MA wants to hear how the ban has effected you.

New Government ditches smoking ban review

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:08:00 GMT

The new Government says it currently has no plans to review the smoking ban - dampening fears that it could be extended to outside areas.

GMV: stop the smoking ban review

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:24:00 GMT

The Guild of Masters Victuallers has called on the Government to halt the review of the smoking ban over fears it could be extended to beer gardens.

Smoking ban and cheap beer put pay to Blair's Labour Club

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:06:00 GMT

The Labour Club in Tony Blair's constituency is to close after suffering from the effects of the smoking ban and cheap supermarket beer.

Tory MP to lobby for smoking ban exemptions

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:26:00 GMT

Conservative MP Brian Binley plans to lobby the Government to reconsider the “draconian” smoking ban across UK pubs.

Anti-smoke ban MPs to meet Healey

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 03:24:00 GMT

MPs who want the smoking ban relaxed are to meet pubs minister John Healey tomorrow to argue their case.

Ejected pub smoker returns with knife

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 03:11:00 GMT

Nick Hogan became the subject of yet more controversy after a man escorted from his pub for smoking returned with a knife.

New call for further smoking ban

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:00:00 GMT

The Royal College of Physicians has called for smoking in all private cars and outdoor spaces where children gather to be banned.

Smoke rebel Hogan will stand as UKIP candidate

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:03:00 GMT

Smoke ban rebel Nick Hogan has vowed to stand as a UK Independence Party (UKIP) candidate in the next election.

Smoke ban rebel is 'political prisoner'

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:37:00 GMT

Smoke ban rebel licensee Nick Hogan, who has been jailed for six months, is a “political prisoner”, according to his party UKIP.

Smoke ban rebel jailed for six months

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:49:00 GMT

A former licensee who refused to abide by the smoking ban has been jailed for six months after refusing to pay a fine.

Smoke ban takes toll on famous Welsh music venue

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:07:00 GMT

A famous Welsh live music venue, which hosted the Manic Street Preachers, is close to shutting down after 40 years in the same hands.

Imperial Tobacco in vending machine ban challenge

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:14:00 GMT

Imperial Tobacco is to launch a legal appeal against Government plans to ban cigarette vending machines in pubs.

Mulholland: smoking ban extension would be 'ludicrous'

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:08:00 GMT

Any plans to extend the smoking ban to door entrances and possibly beer gardens are "ludicrous", according to one pro-pub MP.

ASH backs away from total outdoor smoke ban

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:15:00 GMT

Anti-smoking lobby group Action for Smoking and Health (ASH) has backed away from a supporting a total outdoor smoking ban.

Smoking ban could include beer gardens

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:52:00 GMT

The Government is set to review whether the smoking ban should be extended to include areas such as entrances to buildings and beer gardens. The move has been slammed as "totally draconian" by one campaigner.

Smoking bans 'don't work'

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:14:00 GMT

There's no hard evidence that public smoking bans have the desired effects on people's health, says a new report.

Leeds pub fined for allowing smoking

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:12:00 GMT

A licensee couple in Leeds have been ordered to pay costs of £750 after being found guilty of allowing smoking in their pub.

Pub fag machine ban from Oct 2011

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:36:00 GMT

The Government plans to ban cigarette vending machines from pubs in England from 1 October 2011. The ban will cost a huge £709m to the industry, smokers and the Government in lost revenue.

Cigarette vending machine supplier 'incensed' over ban

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:50:00 GMT

A pub cigarette vending machine supplier has lashed out over proposals to ban machines and disregard new technology.

Lords vote for pub cigarette machine ban

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:40:00 GMT

A total ban on cigarette vending machines looks almost inevitable after Lords rejected an attempt to stop it.

Pubs likely to ditch fag machines

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:36:00 GMT

Three-quarters of licensees would rather remove their cigarette vending machines than abide by strict new rules.

Hockney: 'up yours' over smoking ban

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:32:00 GMT

Artist David Hockney has backed calls for a review of the smoking ban and said he "loathes" Brown and Blair for its implementation.

Host fined £300 for smoke ban breach

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:02:00 GMT

A Runcorn licensee has been fined £300 with £150 costs for smoking in his pub despite it being closed.

Smoke ban leads to heart attack drop

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:22:00 GMT

The smoking ban has led to a 10% reduction in the rate of heart attacks, according to a new study.

UKIP warning on smoke ban extension

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:39:00 GMT

The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has called for "civil disobedience" over what it says are plans to ban smoking from all public places, including beer gardens.

'No need for cig vending machine ban'

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:32:00 GMT

Late-night bars are tackling problems relating to underage entry with “excellent results” — so the Government should lay off new restrictions on cigarette sales.

Amend smoking ban, save pubs — says new campaign

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:41:00 GMT

A new cross-party campaign has called for changes to the smoking ban to help save pubs and clubs.

Woman fined for breaching smoke ban

Mon, 18 May 2009 03:51:00 GMT

A woman has been fined £100 for lighting up in a Luton pub and refusing to leave the premises.

Council stubs out Barnsley pub's smoking centre

Fri, 15 May 2009 12:55:00 GMT

Barnsley’s smoking research centre at the Cutting Edge pub in Worsbrough, has closed, following a visit from council officials.

Yorks pub beats smoking ban

Fri, 15 May 2009 07:02:00 GMT

A South Yorkshire pub has come up with crafty way to get around the smoking ban — by designating itself as a smoking research centre.

Reading votes for outdoor smoking charges

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:57:00 GMT

Councillors in Reading have voted unanimously to implement a costly permit scheme for pubs to let customers smoke outside.

Pubs face outdoor smoking charges

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:42:00 GMT

Pubs and clubs in Reading may have to buy a special permit and abide by costly regulations to let people smoke outside.

SBPA slams pub fag vending machine ban plan

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:59:00 GMT

The Scottish Beer and Pub Association has slammed proposals to ban cigarette vending machines and force tobacco sales under the counter.

Pub cigarette vending machine suppliers face prosecution

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:09:00 GMT

Four cigarette vending machine suppliers face prosecution over underage sales from pub machines in a landmark case.

Action on underage cig sales at pubs

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:27:00 GMT

Lancashire pubs could face prosecution for allowing under-18s to buy cigarettes from vending machines.

Pub in hot water over smoking shelter

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:22:00 GMT

A licensee has been threatened with legal action after being told his smoking shelter is 64.8% enclosed, and he must reduce the walls by 5.1sq m.

High Court challenge to smoking ban

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:27:00 GMT

Smoke ban rebel Hamish Howitt's bid for the right to challenge the smoking ban on human rights grounds takes place next week.

New smoke-shelter threat to pubs

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:34:00 GMT

Pubs that use plants or bushes as the walls of smoking shelters face a new threat of having the structures ruled illegal.

Scots ban pub cigarette vending machines

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:26:00 GMT

Pubs will stop selling cigarettes and will ultimately lose customers if vending machines are banned in Scotland, according to the SBPA.

Conservative club fined for smoke ban breach

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:13:00 GMT

A Conservative club in Wales has been forced to cough up £5,000 in fines and costs after breaking the smoking ban.

Cig vending machines safe..for now

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Government plans new ways to make access harder for children, but has not ruled out a ban in 2013 if measures fail.

MP: pubs kept in dark over chance of rates cut

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:29:00 GMT

The claims have been denied by the Valuation Office Agency, which says it is in close contact with the trade it's easy to seek reductions in rateable value

‘Family’ trap for underage cig sales

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:23:00 GMT

Licensees are being caught out by new-style entrapment tactics employed by trading standards officers to target underage tobacco sales.

Break smoke ban and lose your licence

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:27:00 GMT

High Court says allowing smoking in pubs breaks the crime and disorder licensing objective in a case involving smoke rebel Hamish Howitt and Blackpool Council.

Smoke-ban rebel in High Court next month

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:05:00 GMT

Hamish Howitt will fight his council's bid to revoke his licence on 2 December.

Tobacco restrictions face mounting opposition

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:35:00 GMT

The Government may face stiff opposition over plans to introduce further controls on tobacco.

Rateable values could allow for ban

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Rateable values could be reduced to take into account the smoking ban’s impact on potential trade, new guidance from the Valuation Office Agency suggests.

Jobs to go at pub gaming company

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:23:00 GMT

Up to 75 jobs could go at gaming machine company Bell-Fruit Group and its subsidiary Mazooma Games.

Smoke rebel host bids to be UKIP MP

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:11:00 GMT

Nick Hogan is to run as the UK Independence Party (UKIP) candidate for Chorley in the next election

Picture warnings on cig packets in this week

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:06:00 GMT

New legislation requiring picture warnings on cigarette packets comes in to force on Wednesday 1 October.

Council asks for research on street smoking ban

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:10:00 GMT

A Leicestershire councillor has commissioned research in to a ban on street smoking outside pubs.

Smoke ban rebel loses appeal

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:04:00 GMT

Smoke ban rebel licensee Nick Hogan has lost his Crown Court appeal against convictions for flouting the smoking ban.

Council planning coup for licensee on smoking area

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:15:00 GMT

A licensee has won a rare victory over council planners who ordered the removal of her outdoor umbrella.

Pair win right to challenge smoke ban

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:23:00 GMT

Two psychiatric patients have been given the go-ahead to appeal against the smoking ban at Rampton Hospital.

Government urged to shelve tobacco plans

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:33:00 GMT

The Tobacco Manufacturers Association has called on the Government to shelve plans to push sales under the counter — a point backed by the BII.

Vending machine ban could break pubs

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:53:00 GMT

A massive 74% of licensees believe the smoking ban has been bad for business — a damning statistic that could become worse if cigarette vending machines are banned.

Pub shelter scuppered by screws

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:10:00 GMT

A licensee is ordered to remove his smoking shelter because the seven screws fastening it to the ground mean it needs planning permission.

Smoke-drift curbs outdoor drinking at pub

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:13:00 GMT

A pub was denied a licence for outdoor drinking after residents said cigarette smoke would drift into their bedroom.

MP barred pub for smoke ban support

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:56:00 GMT

A Greater Manchester licensee has barred his local MP, David Heyes, from drinking in his pub for voting for the smoking ban after seeing half his trade disappear.

Outside smoking banned at pub

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:30:00 GMT

A licensee has been ordered to refuse service to customers who smoke on the street outside her pub.

Pub managers fined for flouting smoke ban

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:26:00 GMT

A licensee couple in Milton Keynes have been fined for flouting the smoking ban after police checked CCTV footage at the pub and found evidence of smoking – the pair were left £1,800 out of pocket.

Smokers forced to pay out £550 for dropping fag butts

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:58:00 GMT

Two men in Nottingham have been hit with fines and costs of over £550 for dropping cigarette butts.

German High Court rules against smoke ban

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:36:00 GMT

Germany's High Court has ruled the country's smoking ban is unlawful as it discriminates against small, one-roomed pubs.

MP calls for smoke ban exemptions

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:46:00 GMT

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has defended the smoking ban after an MP lodged a petition calling for partial exemptions for pubs.

Devon licensee fined for flouting smoke ban

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:46:00 GMT

A Devon licensee has been fined £130 plus costs for flouting the smoking ban.

Welsh culture minister quits over flouting smoke ban

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:07:00 GMT

The Welsh culture minister has resigned after flouting the smoking ban in a Welsh pub.

£8,000 pay-out for smoke ban breach

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:10:00 GMT

A Norfolk licensee couple have been forced to pay out more than £8,000 in fines and costs for flouting the smoking ban.

Councils to target noisy pubs

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT

"Potential" noise is public nuisance

LGA calls for ban on cig machines

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Council leaders have backed Government calls for a total ban on coin-operated cigarette vending machines. It comes after a six-month test purchase operation that found children were able to buy cigarettes from machines on 40% of occasions. Some councils reported a 100% failure rate. The..

Pubs braced for barrage of noise complaint fines

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:20:00 GMT

Pubs are bracing themselves for a fresh crackdown on noise levels emanating from people smoking outside after councils were issued new guidance on how to deal with noise complaints.

Alcohol volumes down 8% post-ban

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT

But the health of bar staff has improved

Gov hails smoke ban success

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:20:00 GMT

The Government has hailed the smoking ban a success on its anniversary with 98% of all premises complying with the law and 76% of people supporting the ban.

No need for smoking police

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:27:00 GMT

Predictions of smoking police to enforce the ban proved wide of the mark, according to a council leader.

Council leaders call for cigarette vending machine ban

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:59:00 GMT

Call comes after a 50% rise in test purchase failure rates

Smoke ban: 175m fewer pints drunk

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:55:00 GMT

On-trade alcohol volumes fell 8% in the nine months to March 2008