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ASH Daily News

25 October 2001

Headlines

EC warns HM Customs
Trade chiefs argue against smoking ban

Full Text

EC warns HM Customs

Several newspapers today follow up the story reported in the Daily Telegraph and BBC Online on the warning issued by the European Commission to HM Customs of its handling of people suspected of smuggling tobacco and alcohol from mainland Europe.

HM Customs currently follows European guidelines which indicate the quantities of tobacco and alcohol travellers are allowed to bring in. Technically, there are no limits on quantities as long as the traveller can prove that the goods are for personal consumption. The Commission is concerned that HM Customs officers may be applying guidelines too stringently.

The EC is to review HM Customs practices two months from now, and if not satisfied, it could take the government to the European Court of Justice.

The UK government has responded by stating that Customs is fighting smuggling, which cost the treasury £4bn last year alone.

Paul Boateng, financial secretary to the Treasury said: “The Government makes no apologies for cracking down on smuggling. We are batting against big organised crime rings, who have been costing this country billions of pounds in lost revenue and putting honest traders out of business. Tourists bringing back reasonable amount of tobacco or alcohol have nothing to fear from our Customs officers.”

Source: Daily Mail, Daily Express, Financial Times, 25 October 2001

ASH response to the EC warning: http://www.ash.org.uk/html/press/011024.html




Trade chiefs argue against smoking ban

Since earlier this year, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has been considering a ban on smoking in public places. Last week, leaders from the hospitality trade were called in front of the GLA to argue their case against a ban on smoking.

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and the British Institute of Inn Keeping (BII) have been arguing for self-regulation via a voluntary charter in 1998. Both organisations presented their evidence of the impact of the charter had in pubs.

The evidence presented included the opinion of London pub-goers and bar staff which revealed that they believed the trade was winning its battle against smoky atmospheres. The survey was conducted in eight London pubs which had recently been upgraded for better ventilation. Unsurprisingly, 50 percent of those questioned said the air quality was “much less smoky” than other venues.

In an agreement between the government and the hospitality industry, the Public Place’s Charter was set up in 1998 to ensure either improved air quality in pubs or signage to clearly indicate a smoking a policy to staff and customers.

Nick Bish, is chief executive of the ALMR, and chairman of the trade’s Charter Group which holds responsibility to meet the Government’s minimum target of 50 percent charter compliance by the industry by the end of 2002. He said: “Recent research apparently backing a ban in public places is based on old ideas of what pubs are like. The industry has changed and is changing fast.”

Georgina Wald of the BII added: “Our belief is in self-regulation on the issue [of a ban on smoking]. Customers and staff are happy with the conditions, and with about a thousand premises being upgraded nationally this year, the industry is well on top of the issue.”

Currently, charter compliance by the industry stands somewhere in between 20 and 30 percent, well short of the government target which the charter has to meet in order to avoid losing it’s case for self regulation. Ministers will have to intervene should the industry fail to make a convincing effort.

Source: Publican, 22 October 2001




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