Thousands of pubs and clubs in England & Wales are under serious threat ? if not universally of closure, then of having to lay-off staff and reduce opening hours. This threat is substantially exacerbated by the comprehensive ban on smoking in public places introduced on 1st July 2007.

Alternatives to the present ban, falling short of full repeal (which we do NOT support), are both viable and practical and would constitute a ?win-win? public policy outcome for any future government.

Chris Irvine speaks, I think, for many people, when he said on Strood Conservatives:

I have absolutely no objection to the smoking ban in restaurants and other public venues such as theatres and places where children are present, but isn’t it time that the government started treating us as adults and allowed pubs and clubs to make their own decision as to whether or not they permit smoking?

With five pubs going out of business every day, it is now clear that Labour’s smoking ban is doing more harm than good. Let the people decide

Watch the explanatory video below, then visit AmendTheSmokingBan.com to find out more and get involved.

The photograph says it all: Another one Bites the dust !!

The Royal Engineer in Twydall Green has displayed the sorry message for some weeks now since its closure, highlighting the fate of all too many Great British Pubs thanks to government policy after government policy.

The fact is, no one wants to stand outside a pub, often in cold and/or wet conditions, like a social leper when they need to light up. No one wants to pay ?3 (rough average) for a pint when they can get a four pack of cans from their local store for not a lot more.

Once again, the Government is penalising the majority, the responsible drinkers, due to the actions of the minority, the irresponsible drinkers. In order to “tackle” their fictitious “binging Britain” image ( an image exacerbated by the media which implies most drinkers, particularly the younger drinkers, are alcoholic louts), the government has taken it upon themselves to raise the Beer Tax.

The Government’s Beer Tax now accounts for 33% of the price of every pint.

However there is a way we can save the Great British Pub, a way that expands on the Conservative campaign features but which would, most likely, not meet with their approval.

The Conservative way, which I am not disagreeing with, is simple: they are ‘calling on the Government to help save our pubs and safeguard jobs’ by:

1. Cutting taxes on lower alcohol drinks such as low alcohol beers and raising taxes on problem drinks like high strength ciders and alcopops in order to use the tax system to target binge drinking whilst ensuring that responsible drinkers and the traditional British pub are not unfairly penalised
2. Enforcing existing laws to deal firmly with irresponsible drinkers & premises
3. Trusting adults to make informed choices, not punish them for the actions of an irresponsible minority
4. Supporting the British pub as a vital part of local communities

The fact is, though, that the smoking ban has contributed to the slump in the Great British Pub’s fortunes. Indeed since the ban was introduced, the proportion of British men who smoke has increased, leading to a greater proportion of men being put off going down the local for a pint in bad weather. And no amount of tax- or price-cutting will solve this issue.

The only thing that will truly save our pubs is by bringing back that great freedom: choice. I am not suggesting that it would be right and proper to completely lift the smoking ban, just to allow special dispensation for a proportion of pubs. Smoking in the workplace (excluding pubs) should not be allowed to return.

My “plan”, though not perfect, is as follows: every pub should be allowed to apply for a smokers’ licence. Every pub in posession of such a licence would then be allowed to let their patrons smoke inside again. However, this licence would need to be introduced with great care, thus the idea of choice comes into play.

There would be little point in allowing all pubs in one town to hold a smokers’ licence, as those wishing to just enjoy a drink or two in a clean atmosphere would not be able to. Thus local authorities, who should have the ultimate authority over the licences, would decide upon which pubs could, and could not, permit smoking inside by means of a cap: with at least, say 40% non-smoking pubs and 40% smoking pubs.

As I said, it’s not a perfect plan, and it would most certainly be received with very mixed opinions, but at least I’m trying to offer suggestions to save the Great British Pub.

Which is more than can be said about the Government.

I’m sure we’ve all seen the sorry sight that is yet another once-popular (if rowdy) Twydall pub now boarded up and looking as though it has reached the end of its life.

The Royal Engineer in Twydall Green closed at the beginning of the month as one of hundreds of pubs closing every month, victims of the ‘smoking ban and rising beer and utility prices’, according to former Men of Kent Landlord Karen Spendiff.

Well unlike The Sportsman and many other deserted Medway pubs, this watering hole may in fact have a happy ending thanks to new owner Alan Yeung.

Mr Yeung owns the restaurant chain Yeung’s, with restaurants in Chatham, Ashford and Faversham.? Last week, he added the Royal Engineer to his list of properties and is keen to reopen soon.

He told the News: ‘We don’t know exactly what we will do yet – it is all in the very early stages’.

However, according to the News, it is likely to ‘follow in the footsteps of the Men of Kent in Rainham High Street’, which was sold by Enterprise Inns and is ‘due to become an Indian Restaurant’.

After the Woolworths site was quickly reopened, it is reassuring to note that yet another empty bulding in Twydall Green will not stay empty for long.