There was a very interesting feature in one of the "quality" national papers yesterday about Germany and France both allowing smoking in special rooms on licensed premises, as long as they are well-ventilated and no staff are present.
As pub-visiting British, and particularly Brigg, nicotine addicts have to venture outside for their cigs and cigars - even in this weather - how come our legislation appears to be at odds with what operates in these two Continental giants of the European Community?
Over in France and Germany, more and more of these premises are appearing. Rather than being smokey "dives" some are quite swanky, even providing lockers in which the well-to-do smoker can stash his supply of Havanas.
When Winston Churchill stayed at Brigg's Exchange during the Second World War, the great man would have been able to sit back - brandy in one hand, cigar in the other - as he plotted the next stage in Adolf's downfall.
In this day and age, presumably Winston, like other smokers, would have been forced, by law, to go outside for his "fix". Had he tried that in 1944, of course, the Brigg answer to Dad's Army's air-raid warden Hodges would have bellowed: "Put that ruddy light out!" and Winnie might have faced a night in the cells for allegedly attracting the attention of German bombers overhead.
Many British (and Brigg) pubs have suffered great loss of trade since the smoking ban was introduced. The vast majority of folk who enjoy a puff with their pint, so to speak, do not expect the general public to share their smoke. But they would very much like old-fashioned smoking rooms to be permitted. Or to see the Continental concession which operates in France and Germany introduced over here.
Perhaps some enterprising backbench MP could make a name for him/herself with a Private Member's Bill. POTENTIALLY PLENTY OF VOTES IN THAT ONE.
For the benefit of smokers visiting Brigg, covered areas are provided behind the Black Bull, the Britannia and the Yarborough Hunt.
Theres no smoke without fire . Personally I couldn't care less about designated rooms for smoking . Having worked behind a bar in the 80's and 90's I have had my quota of passive smoking . Hard up landlords would be hard pressed to spend money on lockers and plush carpets to attract customers who lets face it will brave -15 C teperatures and a force 10 hooley to have a drag outside .
ReplyDeleteI will stick to the bars that now smell of BO and bad breath .
I don't accept the argument that that pub trade has gone downhill since the smoking ban.
ReplyDeleteThe licence trade has been in decline since long before the 80's...breweries have sold off their premises, while breweries themselves have been taken over by bigger conglomerates...and these conglomerates specialise/sponsor the new-fangled pub types - some townie pubs, others, family orientated eateries - all with special offers - cheap beers - two for one!
These premises are often developed on new sites which can follow the costumers.
The traditional pub is often now regarded as secondary, someimes even as an irritant by the brewery. Often, the main client group has moved on/left the area, while the pub remains the last defiant bastion of a community that once was.
Similarly, cheap booze from superstores challenge pubs; drinking patterns have changed - families tend to drink wine at home, rather than the guy nipping out for few pints.
Most of the recent price increases have been initiated by the breweries - not the government - although most punters will blame the government.
But don't forget, Nige - drinking laws in this country have been a bit peculiar!
Sherlock Holmes smoked opium - no law against it at the time; in the Great War, alcohol was banned in the trenches for old Tommy, but they could smoke themselves sick on fags....and if they could offord it opium. Indeed, one could send out spcial Fortnum & Mason hampers with a month's crack....soldiers weren't allowed to be drunk at they crossed No-Man's Land, but they could be led by officers high as kites on opium!
The smoking bas has evolved as patterns have changed - it is not really the cause of the pub trade's demise