Pub association warns of massive job cuts if smoking ban comes in

If
the Government introduces a ban on smoking in public places up to 75,000 jobs
could be lost, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

Last
month, health secretary John Reed told restaurants and pubs to prepare plans
for smoking restrictions – the first step towards an outright ban.

However,
the BPPA said trade in Ireland had dropped 16 per cent in the year since a ban
on smoking was introduced there.

If
the situation was repeated in the UK, it would mean the closure of 5,000 pubs,
costing the economy £3.5bn, the BPPA said.

By Michael Millar