U-TURN on Smoking Ban

The Government have been concerned about the amount of pubs closing in Britain. Every week sixteen pubs close down, causing thousands of job losses and empty buildings every year.

However, a new Bill will come into effect very soon. A trial will be held and will take place at the end of July in Ashford, Kent.

A disused pub is being opened up for Smokers. The idea is that you enter the pub without tobacco, and buy tobacco and smoking accessories at the bar, thus enabling the Landlord to make his living.

But you cannot buy alcohol in the premises. The idea is that you bring your own alcohol, but it can only be drunk outside of the premises as the landlord only has a smoking licence and not an alcohol licence.

John Benson a leading marketing guru commented "If this takes off it will give back to the community what they have been wanting since the smoking ban. It would also take tobacco out of our top supermarkets and corner shops, making it harder for kids to get. And also it would push cheap alcohol from the shelves of local supermarkets.

If this trial is successful, empty pubs will be open all over the country, taking 300,000 off the dole by Christmas.

Ray Hedges who used to drink and smoke in the pub being used said, " This is a fantastic idea, I think it will catch on. And aptly the pub will be renamed " THE PUFFIN "

Story by Charlie Snorter