We should treat our pensioners and war hero's with more respect.
Do you know our elderly and families are suffering because of this new law?

Yes,pensioners and families  are suffering because of unemployment,money worries and pub closures.

Our elderly forced to go outdoors in all weathers to enjoy their "smoke."

If you pick up a national newspaper you would be forgiven for thinking the UK smoking ban is a complete success.

Since the smoking ban,57 pubs every month are closing-many of these were profitable pubs before the smoking ban.  Many other pubs are borded up awaiting tenants or new owners. Landlords are running up debt to keep their pubs open and their children and families are suffering.

How does a pub or working mens club closing down affect children and families?
Apart from employees and local business's that supply products/goods and services-in many areas's the pub or club is a social hub-They raise money for charities. They provide sponsorship for local sports teams, often youth teams. They are used as a meeting point for groups and societies,especially if there is no village hall or community centre near by.
Many pubs and clubs provide entertainment for children-parties, shows, days out-sometimes pub/club rooms are used for sport and keep fit.
Many people use their pub/club for weddings and for funeral parties.

A pub/club closure impacts on children. On families. On individuals.

Our elderly are suffering too.
600,000 customers have stopped going to bingo halls since the smoking ban
It is predicted that as many as 50% of all bingo halls could close in the next two years. In many parts of the country,communities are losing their pubs/clubs and bingo halls.

Bingo halls can offer a safe, warm and social environment for our elderly. Many offer cheap meals and drinks- A bingo hall closure, apart from the economic loss to the staff and to the council in lost business rates, will affect our elderly and those on low incomes who use them as a social facility.


"Inn the cold" doesn't want to overturn the existing ban,but wants the government to examine the ban and implement changes that would be more fair to smokers,non smokers and business owners.

"Inn the cold" seeks more debate about the smoking ban,within Government,within the media and within the licensed trade industry it self-contrary to what people were told before the ban,and following the experiences of bans in other countries,smoking rates do not decline and there is no rush of new customers.

Smokers are voters and by not voting or voting for anyone rather than New Labour, 13 million smokers can make a difference.





mark.harris@innthecold.com