Smoking ban: One year on
THEORIES that a ban on lighting up in public would be detrimental to pubs and clubs have been sent up in smoke in Wakefield.
One year on from the implementation of the smoking ban and Jackie Hardy, chairwoman of Wakefield Licensees' Pubwatch, said businesses seemed to be coping.
She said: "A year on and businesses seem quite happy with the ban. One of the most important things is that staff have benefited from working in a smoke-free atmosphere."
The city's working men's clubs also say they have not suffered.
Elaine Brunt, the president of Sharlston WMC, said it had lost only two customers.
She said: "Two people told me they wouldn't be coming back to the club now they weren't allowed to smoke inside, but it hasn't bothered most of the customers. They are quite happy to go outside to have a cigarette."
Malcolm Shaw, 62, secretary and treasurer of Alverthorpe WMC, said: "The only difference the ban has really made is to the internal income made from the bandit machines and the snooker tables.
"When people are outside smoking, they don't spend money on the machines and that's where we have lost out."
Since the ban came into effect on July 1 last year, Wakefield Council has only delivered 36 written warnings to people flouting the law. No fixed penalties have been issued.
The council has reported on increased levels of litter from cigarette ends.
Coun Clive Hudson, cabinet member for the environment, said: "People should remember that by dropping litter they are liable to a fine and we will make every effort to ensure that our streets and neighbourhoods remain clean and litter-free."
The ban also seems to have encouraged people to kick the habit. Wakefield District NHS Primary Care Trust's Stop Smoking team has exceeded the national target, as 2,514 people used the service during the past year to successfully quit.
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Weather for Wakefield
Friday 25 May 2012
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