UK - Campaign to modify July 2007 smoking ban fails..

July 13, 2009 - Back on Tuesday, June 23rd celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson joined the 'Save Our Pubs and Clubs campaign' to overturn the smoking ban. The TV chef joined members of parliament (MPs) from the three main political parties in calling for the comprehensive ban to be relaxed to help establishments losing revenue, laying off staff or facing closure. (TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson joins campaign for limited pub smoking by Laura Harding, Press Association, The Independent, 6/23/2009)

But Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), said that to reverse the ruling "would open up enormous difficulties". The BHA supported the ban, not least because employees affected by the smoke were taking their former employers to court. It may have impacted on businesses, but I don't see how amending the ban can practically work."

A spokesman for the British Beer & Pub Association added that the industry has moved on since the ban. "The industry has adapted to the challenge. Pubs have invested £100m on outside smoking areas and there is no going back now," he said.

Worrall Thompson admitted that restaurants should remain smoke-free, but that pubs not serving food should have the right to choose.

Reference: AWT's smoking campaign fails to catch fire, CatererSearch.com, 7/9/2009.

(UK, United Kingdom, Britain, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)_