Forest calls on Europe to adopt Spanish policy on public smoking
30/07/2008
Responding to a ruling by the high court in Germany that says smoking bans in two states are unconstitutional, Forest has urged governments in Europe to adopt the Spanish policy on smoking in public places.
Director Simon Clark, said: “In Britain there is clear evidence that the smoking ban is threatening to put a lot of pubs out of business. Those with no outdoor facility, such as a beer garden or sheltered patio, are finding it very hard to compete with larger pubs and clubs.
“The best solution, for Germany, the UK and the rest of Europe, is to adopt the Spanish policy whereby bars over 100 square metres can opt to have a separate smoking room, while smaller establishments can choose to be ‘smoking’ or ‘non-smoking’.
“We urge governments at home and abroad to support a policy on smoking that gives bar owners, their staff and their customers, a degree of choice, and doesn't damage their business.”
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Forest launches campaign to amend the smoking ban
01/07/08
The smokers’ lobby group Forest has called on members of parliament to amend the public smoking ban and allow licensed smoking rooms in pubs and clubs. Speaking at a reception hosted by Philip Davies MP for Forest in the House of Commons on Tuesday July 1st, director Simon Clark will tell MPs:
“The comprehensive nature of the smoking ban is out of all proportion to the risk from passive smoking. Many pubs and clubs have suffered serious economic hardship and for many smokers the social impact has been equally severe. Smokers may have adapted to the ban, but that doesn’t mean they support it. There is still a great deal of anger and resentment at the extent of the ban, which is out of step with most European countries."
Announcing the launch of a new campaign to amend the legislation, Clark will add: “Our message to politicians is simple. Tobacco is a legal consumer product. In Britain at least ten million adults smoke. A huge number enjoy smoking and have no intention of giving up. If anything, the ban has made them more determined than ever not to quit.
“Many smokers are staying at home instead of going to their local pub or club. The ban is creating social exclusion, loneliness and unemployment. It is very unfair, especially on older smokers. For some mental health sufferers the impact of the ban has been devastating.
“Smokers are not going to disappear like a puff of smoke, so let’s be fair and practical about this. We are asking the government to amend the legislation so that pubs and clubs can apply for a license to introduce well-ventilated separate smoking rooms. We want to bring back some element of choice for consumers, owners, and members of staff.”
Forest press release 010708
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Forest slams "further tobacco control measures"
31/05/2008
Banning the display of tobacco products will do little to combat youth smoking, the smokers' lobby group Forest said today. Responding to the launch of a public consultation to consider tougher tobacco control measures, the group’s director Simon Clark said: "The best way to tackle youth smoking is through education and proper enforcement of the legal age limit. Banning point of sale display will make smoking even more attractive to teenagers. Worse, it will drive many smokers towards cheaper counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes. If politicians really want to control the sale and availability of tobacco, bans are not the answer. The only people who benefit are black market operators.”
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Forest urges MPs not to fall victim to another “confidence trick”
21/05/08
On the eve of a public consultation on further tobacco control measures, Forest has warned warns MPs not to fall for another “confidence trick”. In a letter to MPs, director Simon Clark writes, “Public policy should be based not on a ‘confidence trick’ but on facts. To date, there is little evidence that banning the point of sale display of tobacco has a serious impact on youth or adult smoking rates. Banning point of sale display will have little impact on existing smokers, who will simply ask for their current brand of tobacco, although it clearly restricts their ability to choose an alternative brand.
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Scottish government trying to ban smoking by stealth, says Forest
21/05/08
Banning 10-packs and the display of tobacco products will do nothing to combat youth smoking and is simply another crude attempt to bully adult smokers into quitting, the smokers' rights group Forest said today. Neil Rafferty, Forest's Scottish spokesman, said: "There is little evidence to suggest that point of sale bans do anything to reduce youth smoking rates. If a teenager can afford two packs of ten in the space of a week, they can afford one pack of 20. You may as well ban small bars of chocolate.
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Increased cost of tobacco will hit elderly and less well off, says Forest
12/03/2008
Responding to the 2008 Budget speech, Simon Clark, director of Forest, said: "We welcome the Chancellor's decision to reject an increase in tobacco duty above the rate of inflation, but the increased cost of cigarettes will still hit those who can least afford it, especially the elderly, the low paid and the unemployed ..."
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Public health: musician attacks "nannies, prigs and bullies"
26/02/2008
On the eve of a world tour to promote his new album Rain, musician and Forest supporter Joe Jackson has renewed his attack on the smoking ban and claimed that public health has "abdicated its true purpose, healing the sick, in favour of social engineering".
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Former MSP attacks "lifestyle fascists"
19/02/2008
Brian Monteith, former Conservative MSP and now policy director of Forest's Free Society campaign, has criticised a proposal that smokers should have to apply for a permit to buy tobacco. "The initial price is irrelevant. By raising the price each year and tightening the qualification, fewer and fewer people will be permitted to smoke until, eventually, millions of people have been priced out of the market or the sale of tobacco is illegal."