LONDON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- A pending ban on smoking in British pubs that sell food is leading to a move by many to simply close their kitchens in order to keep smoking customers.
A survey by the trade magazine The Publican claims that of the 42,000 pubs that serve food, 65 percent would eject smokers and continue to provide meals if they had to choose. Twenty percent would no longer provide food and 15 percent did not say.
The British government has decided to impose a ban on smoking in pubs that serve food, but said it could continue in private members' clubs.
Smoking has been banned in all pubs in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt wanted the same in England and Wales, but under pressure from Prime Minister Tony Blair to avoid an outright ban that would smack of "state interference," came up with the idea of sealed smoking rooms, The Times of London reported.
Hewitt introduced the Health Improvement Bill Thursday, claiming it will include a ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces and public places covering 99 percent of the workforce.
