Warning on smoking ban

Councillor Ray Easton also expressed concern that Cannock Chase Council would not do enough to help local firms who were facing the possibility of hardship after July 1.

The district councillor said that the detrimental financial impact was worrying a lot of business bosses in Cannock and Rugeley. And he wants to hear what the council is going to do to help them – not what it is doing to enforce the new legislation.

Smoking will be banned in all public indoor spaces in England from July 1 and includes places like pubs, clubs, restaurants and private members' clubs.

Councillor Ray Easton said: "The problem with this ban is a lot of businesses will be suffering around the area. I know it is very easy for us to enforce the legislation this government has made us do, but we are a local authority responsible for our local citizens and businesses," he stressed.

"If they are in difficulty I would have liked to have seen the council offer advice and support in any way it can," he added.

Councillor Easton was speaking at a meeting of Rugeley and Brereton Community Forum, where he was told the council offer advice and support to help firms comply with the new law, but not financial help.

Cannock Chase District Council is also to spend £20,000 employing a dedicated smoking officer who will be out in pubs and clubs to make sure venues and patrons abide by the law.

Councillor Mary Easton suggested the ban was an infringement on democratic rights, because the population was not given the chance to vote on the issue.

Details on www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk