Liberal Vision

Two years of the smoking ban and the damage continues

Today marks the second anniversary of the ban on smoking in “public” places (actually a ban on smoking in private places, visited by the public). With dozens of pubs closing every week, an amendment to the blanket prohibition is crucial in assisting the licensed trade. With Labour largely united around the ban and the Tories saying they have “no plans” to change the law, this is surely an issue that the LibDems could latch on to. Angry and disllusioned publicans would also be a considerable electoral asset.

The Save our Pubs and Clubs campaign - which seeks an amendment to the smoking ban that is fair to all publicans, pub staff and customers - was launched in central London last week, and will be taking its message to every corner of the country. You can become a supporterof the campaign here.

UPDATE: The campaign launch video is now online: