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Fag ban critics might have smoke too soon
MORE than 2,207 inspections were carried out in Peterborough since the smoking ban hit virtually all public places a year ago today.
MORE than 2,207 inspections were carried out in Peterborough since the smoking ban hit virtually all public places a year ago today.It has led to 31 written warnings and six fixed penalty notices.
Since the nationwide smoking ban came into force on July 1 last year, Peterborough City Council has carried out inspections on hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, takeaways and even vehicles, such as taxis.
Following inspections, council officers have issued 12 written warnings for incorrect signage, eight for failing to prevent smoking and 11 to people caught smoking in public places.
A further three people were issued with fixed penalty notices, also for smoking in public places and three fixed penalty notices were issued to drivers smoking in smokefree vehicles. The new law meant all public places and workplaces in England became smoke-free with the aim of ensuring people who socialise, relax, travel, shop and work could do so without being victims of passive smoking.
The ban also included public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person.
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And despite an initial drop in takings in the first couple of months, a year on most pubs, clubs and restaurants across the city say their customers have learned to accept the ban.
Shift manager for Brewery Tap, in Westgate, Janet Bloodworth said when the ban first came in the pub saw quite a dramatic drop in profits.
She said: "We did notice a considerable drop when it first came in but I think a lot of people were annoyed at the ban itself and decided not to come in, especially at lunchtimes. However, in the last four or five months trade has picked up, probably because people are realising that things are not going to change."
Owner of the City Club in Priestgate and the Met Lounge, in Bridge Street, Steve Jason said: "We introduced a no smoking ban to half of the Met Lounge three years ago so our customers weren't really new to the ban.
"We haven't seen a drop in takings, if anything they have gone up in the past year."
General manager at The Solstice Bar, in Northminster, Dawn O'Leary said: "Although we expected a drop in trade, we were pleasantly surprised when our profits stayed the same."
Spokeswoman from Gala Bingo Club in Westfield Road, Sarah Mercer said although the had seen a drop in sales, it was not just down to the smoking ban. She said: "The Peterborough club is very good and successful, but like all of our clubs has been hit by the smoking ban, double taxation and an overall drop in the economy, but just like any other leisure activity around Peterborough."
A spokesman from the city council said all fixed penalty notices have been paid and there have been no court hearings related to smoke-free offences.
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