MPs urged to support smoking ban review

Euro-MP Paul Nuttall

Euro MP Paul Nuttall is writing to every North West MP urging them to support a call for the smoking ban in pubs and clubs to be reviewed.

A parliamentary Early Day Motion put forward by Brian Binley, MP, is asking for this review and North West MEP, Mr Nuttall, wants every Member of Parliament to support it.

"This Motion is an excellent move and long overdue. You only have to consider the thousands of public houses that have closed since the ban was introduced to see why it is needed," said Mr Nuttall, Rochdale's MEP for the UK Independence Party.

The proposal calls for the Government 'to conduct a thorough review, supported by consultation with all parties and affected business sectors, on the impact the smoking ban has had on public houses and private members clubs.'

"Mr Binley suggests the legislation should be amended by allowing segregated smoking areas inside such premises. That is the policy that the UKIP has advocated ever since the ban came in," said Mr Nuttall.

"Pubs are at the heart of local communities and we believe the smoking ban has played a major part in the closure of so many of them. And they are still closing, at the rate of 39 per week. A total of 2,365 pubs shut down last year meaning the loss of 24,000 jobs.

"Mr Binley is right to urge the recognition of the importance of such institutions to the nation's social life and community wellbeing.

"The Labour party said in their 2005 manifesto that they would not introduce a complete smoking ban. After they did, ministers promised to review it three years after it came into force on 1st July 2007. That review does not appear to be forthcoming and it essential that it does happen," said Mr Nuttall.

"This Motion has cross-party support and I am writing to all the MPs in the North West urging them to sign up to it," he said.