The Government wants to extend the indoor smoking ban to outdoor public places including beer gardens.

Smoking terraces – like those at Boisdale where Forest hosts many of our events – may also be under threat.

This is in addition to banning the sale of tobacco to all future generations of adults, a policy adopted by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government and supported by Labour.

As part of our campaign against these policies, we are hosting a reception, Smoke On The Water:

Location: Westminster Pier, London SW1
Date: Tuesday 22nd October 2024
Embark: 19:15
Disembark: 22:00

Invited guests include MPs, parliamentary staffers, and others from the wider Westminster village.

We are also inviting opponents of the Government's plans, and speakers will include representatives of the hospitality industry and other concerned parties.

As well as short speeches, there will be LIVE music and, for the first hour, complimentary drinks. Thereafter there will be a cash bar.

We have very little time to fight these policies before they go before Parliament. It is essential therefore that we make our voices heard, and to do that we need YOUR support.

Places are limited so please reply to this invitation as soon as possible by emailing [email protected].

Simon Clark
Director, Forest

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QUOTE UNQUOTE

‘The indoor smoking ban was bad enough. I know it’s been successful at reducing smoking and, on balance, I wouldn’t go back on it now. Nevertheless it is my belief that that is not the sort of law governments should make.’ Actor and comedian David Mitchell, The Guardian

‘Have a thought for those who see smoking as a crutch in a difficult life. Remember older people, particularly single men, who nurse a pint and a tab outdoors and feel less isolated and even looked out for.'
Mary Glindon, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, Northumberland Gazette

‘What we are witnessing is a war on choice and individual freedom. If we continue on this righteous path to ‘good’ health we risk creating a society in which government makes every significant decision for us and, one by one, personal freedoms we once took for granted will be slowly erased on the altar of public health.’ Simon Clark, director, Forest, Chamber UK
 

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FURTHER READING:

Keir Starmer faces rebellion from his OWN MPs over outdoor smoking ban in pub gardens (The Sun)
Furious pubgoers slam Keir Starmer's plans to ban smoking in pub gardens (Daily Mail)
Nearly half of Labour MPs think cigarettes and vapes ban is low priority (Guido Fawkes)
More pubs will CLOSE without slashing booze tax and axing smoking ban, bosses warn (The Sun)
Why extending the smoking ban to outdoor areas is a threat to pubs, clubs, and local democracy (Chamber UK)
‘It’s where all the best socialising happens’: the joy of the smoking area (Safi Bagel, Guardian)
'You're not welcome here Keir!' Bolton pub on why it has banned Prime Minister (Bolton News)
Prospect of smoking ban goes down like a lead balloon among Teignbridge pubs (Mid-Devon Advertiser)
Angry Hereford pub landlords have spoken out ahead of a potential ban on smoking in pub gardens (Hereford Times)
 

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JOIN THE RESISTANCE – RSVP TODAY!