Councils in Herefordshire and Westminster have announced that they will take action against pubs and clubs which are ignoring the smoking legislation.

 

In Herefordshire, Tony Blows, licensee at the Dog Inn in Ewyas Harold, is allowing customers to smoke as part of an ongoing campaign in an attempt to overturn the legislation. He is determined to continue his stand against the ban and said: "Public support has been incredible. The council have not been anywhere near the pub."

 

In London, Dave West’s Abracadabra restaurant and Hey Jo bar is also ignoring the ban. Harry Barnett, executive chef and director of Abracadabra and Hey Jo said he had invited Westminster council to come and fine him, but they had refused.

 

However, local authorities have warned they will take action and they face a fine of £2,500 or loss of their licence.

 

Andy Tector, head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards, Herefordshire council, said of Blows: “We have no intention of letting anyone flout the law and will take appropriate action against anyone breaking the legislation.”

 

A spokesman for Westminster City Council said: “As of 6am Sunday, smoking was banned in virtually all public enclosed spaces in England, anyone who breaches that ban will be dealt with in due course.”

 

“We are not going to respond to any media stunts that Mr West and his club may try to court for publicity reasons.”

 

Source: The Publican, 03 July 2007

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