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ASH Daily News

Friday 1 October 1999

Headlines

Maiden forecasts 6% drop in sales after tobacco ad. ban
Fiona Castle’s support for ad ban wins praise
Quitter of the Year competition
One in eight British pubs have no-smoking areas
Correspondence re: Hospitality charter
Anti-smuggling campaign
Publicans offered support to deal with objections to smoking
restrictions


Full Text

Maiden forecasts 6% drop in sales after tobacco ad. ban

Maiden, the outdoor advertising group, has warned that the tobacco
advertising ban which is due to be implemented in December, could wipe
off over six per cent of group sales. However, the company is still
expected to report record results for the second half of the year.

Source: The Independent, 1/10/99


Fiona Castle’s support for ad ban wins praise

Fiona Castle, the widow of the entertainer Roy Castle, was given a
standing ovation at the Labour Party conference yesterday when she
praised the Government’s plans to ban tobacco advertising. “Three
hundred people a day die of smoking-related disease,” she said. “The
tobacco industry has to recruit 300 new smokers to make up the levels,
so don’t tell me that advertising does not make a difference.”

Source: Daily Telegraph, The Sun, 1/10/99


Quitter of the Year competition

The Mirror gives extensive coverage to the Quitter of the Year
competition which it is sponsoring this year. The article includes
photos and biographies of the eight finalists. The finalists will be
invited to attend the Quitter of the Year dinner on 28 October.

Source: The Mirror, 1/10/99


One in eight British pubs have no-smoking areas

A survey commissioned by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, found that
only one in eight pubs surveyed had a no smoking area. A spokesman
said this was an improvement on findings 8 years ago when only 2 per
cent had smoking restrictions but that it was still far from enough.

Source; The Guardian, 30/9/99


Correspondence re: Hospitality charter

FOREST has letters in The Publican and Licensee regarding the
hospitality industry’s charter on smoking in public places. While
supporting the charter, FOREST uses the opportunity to criticise ASH
for pressing for legislation if the charter fails to produce results.

A more reasoned letter from Nick Bish of the Licensed Multiple
Retailers in Caterer and Hotelkeeper, says that there is no need for
anyone to pour cold water on the charter but, after the opening
splash, it is now up to pubs and restaurants to make sure that it
works.

Source: Publican, 27/9/99; Licensee, 23/9/99; Caterer and Hotelkeeper
30/9/99


Anti-smuggling campaign

The newsagents’ trade journal, Independent Retail News, is continuing
its campaign against smuggling. The campaign, which is supported by
Gallaher and Landmark Cash and Carry, predictably blames the UK’s high
tobacco taxes for the illegal importation of tobacco from France and
Belgium. A survey by IRN claims that smuggling is costing independent
retailers nearly £3bn in lost sales. Responses from retailers suggest
that losses on tobacco and alcohol sales average 20 per cent and 17
per cent respectively. The campaign has the support of Conservative
MP Jacqui Lait who is proposing to put down an Early Day Motion on the
subject in the next session of Parliament.

Source: IRN, 24/9/99


Publicans offered support to deal with objections to smoking
restrictions

Publicans in Ireland are being offered counselling to deal with
customers who object to no-smoking areas in pubs. Under an agreement
between licensees and the health board, all outlets will install
no-smoking areas. Psychiatrists will be on hand to help staff deal
with awkward customers to avoid provoking a walk-out or fight.

Source: The Publican, 27/9/99


Karl Brookes
Project Manager
102 Clifton Street
London EC2A 4HW
Tel: +44 (0)171-739 5902
Fax: +44 (0)171-613 0531
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