Town could become No Smoking zone

The town is amongst the first in the country to push for a debate after the issue received unanimous support at the South East Regional Assembly last month.

The mooted ban would include a total ban on smoking in the workplace, leading to the prohibition of smoking in enclosed public areas such as pubs and cafes.

Responsibility for any ban currently rests with the government nationally, but the Council are keen to poll the views of businesses, traders and residents throughout the town to gauge reaction to any such measure.

Council leader Jeremy Birch launched the debate at last Wednesday's full council meeting.

He said: "It would be better if the decision was taken nationally but it may be discretion on the matter is given to the local authority. And this is the type of issue that local authorities - as well as the health authority - should be prominently involved in.

"My personal view is that I would welcome Hastings becoming a smoke free town. I would welcome a ban on smoking in public places, and I think it could be imposed without being economically harmful.

"100 people a year die as a direct result of smoking in Hastings, according to health authority figures. So naturally we have a responsibility as a local authority to improve health and quality of life in our

community."

The council will poll the views of the Citizens Panel - a community focus group made up of 200 town residents - on the matter, and are urging residents associations, community groups and organisations such as the Young Persons Council to add their views.

Cllr Birch said: "I would like to know what Hastings people of all ages think about this, and whether they think it would be appropriate. This debate has not got a time limit on it. We'll see what sort of reaction we get by the end of the year. The more this issue is debated locally, the more we can expect the government to respond on this matter."

A spokesperson for Wetherspoons - who run the John Logie Baird pub in the town centre - welcomed the prospect of a ban. The company is pushing for a nationwide ban on smoking in public places by 2006.

Similar bans have already been introduced in Los Angeles, New York and the Republic of Ireland, and debates on the issue are already underway in Plymouth and Cambridge. Cllr Birch argues any ban would be "self-enforceable", with members of the public monitoring the smoking habits of those around them.

But many smaller publicans expressed concern they would suffer severe financial losses from any such move.

Marina Fountain landlady Stevie Beale said: "It's a nice idea but I can't see it working. Smoking and alcohol go together. About half of our customers are smokers, so our trade would absolutely plummet if this was introduced.

"I wouldn't even try it out unless it was made law."