A LANDLORD fears many drinkers will shun his traditional pub when smoking in enclosed public spaces is stubbed out next summer. Phil Troubridge, who runs The Eight Bells, in Church Street, said more than 70 per cent of his regular customers were smokers. But he expects many to simply choose to buy alcohol from a supermarket or off- licence and light up at home when the ban on smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants is introduced. Mr Troubridge said: "The whole thing stinks as far as I'm concerned. More than 70 per cent of my regulars smoke. This is not a food pub. People like to come and enjoy a smoke and a drink. "This is a small place. Can you imagine what's going to happen when half of those people, instead of coming in here after work for a couple of pints, go down to the off-licence and then go home, sit down and have a tinny and a cigarette while they watch the news? "More and more people have already been encouraged to drink at home because of the price of drink in supermarkets. It will just increase with this ban." Elsewhere in the Alton area, however, landlords did not believe the ban would lead to a dramatic downturn in their trade. Adam Neller, licensee of The Railway Arms in Anstey Road, said: "I don't think our trade should alter too much - it going to be the same for everyone." Marcus Skilton, temporary barman at The Kings Head in Market Street, said: "It will completely rob the whole place of its character but I don't think the ban will probably affect this place too much, in terms of trade. We are a very regular orientated pub. We get the same people in every day." MPs voted last week for a total ban by a majority of 200 after months of wrangling over the issue. Originally, the government was planning to ban smoking just in pubs serving food, but this was extended to all enclosed spaces over fears of health inequalities among customers and staff. Health campaigners have welcomed the ban as a victory for public health. Chris Chappell, health improvement manager for two Hampshire primary care trusts, said she was "delighted". "This is real recognition of the harm caused by second-hand smoke. People have always thought 'it hurts my eyes' and 'makes my throat a bit sore' but it does much more than just that," she said. "MPs have not only recognised the real risks but they have also recognised that we can't treat one group of workers different to others. There is no use allowing bar workers who work in pubs that don't serve food and private members clubs to breathe in those toxins and those that do serve food to escape them. That is not fair." Mrs Chappell is optimistic that the ban will encourage more smokers to kick the habit. "It will make non-smoking the norm - that is a powerful message in helping to encourage young people not to start and support those who have just quit," she said. "When they stopped it in Massachusetts for six months, they found an enormous drop in heart disease for just that six months. It really does have quite an impact." Some opponents have argued that the ban will simply result in more people smoking at home - exposing their families to second hand smoke instead of pub and club goers. But Mrs Chappell said experience in other countries had proved that this was not the case. "I went to Ireland the year before last and there is still lots of chatting, dancing and singing, despite the ban, it is a wonderful atmosphere - you cannot replicate that in your home," she said. "I think this is sending out the message that second-hand smoke does kill and I think people will become more considerate and reduce the amount they smoke in the home. "For years we have almost played lip service to it. I think we will look back in five years time and wonder how we coped with it." Jennifer Gray, the East Hampshire district councillor responsible for active and healthy lifestyles, said: "EHDC welcome the ban on smoking in public places. Passive smoking can kill, and apart from making public places a much pleasant and safer environment to be in, the ban will save lives." The two MPs who represent the Alton area, Michael Mates, who represents East Hampshire, and James Arbuthnot, the member for North East Hampshire, had opposing views on a blanket ban. Mr Mates wanted private members' clubs to be exempt from a ban while Mr Arbuthnot voted for a complete ban. Mr Mates said: "I voted to exempt only private members' clubs because I think there is a limit to where the state can intervene in a private place. The next thing is in your home." Mr Arbuthnot said backing a complete ban was not a decision he took lightly. He said: "I found myself in a difficult dilemma because on the one hand there is the freedom not to be told what to do by the government, but on the other hand I believe that the single most important thing that we can do to improve people's health is to have the ban and that is why I eventually voted for it."
