Bingo fears over smoking ban (From South Wales Argus)

Bingo fears over smoking ban

5:51pm Sunday 1st April 2007 in News By South Wales Argus Newsdesk

FOR many, bingo and smoking go hand in hand, but from tomorrow punters will be forced to stub out when playing.

There are fears the industry could be hit hard by the ban because nationally around half of players are smokers.

The ban will affect all enclosed public places. Anyone who flouts the ban faces a £50 fine while businesses which fail to display no-smoking signs will be fined £200.

Clubs across Gwent have been gearing up for the ban, and at Cwmbran's Mecca club, manager Shaun Zammitt said they have been preparing for a year.

He said around 40 per cent of their customers are smokers, and staff have been speaking to them all individually to explain what the ban will mean.

Mr Zammitt said bingo is "particularly vulnerable" to the ban for many reasons including the large number of smokers and the structured nature of the game, but thinks they have done enough to thrive.

He added: "Some members are concerned but we also have a large number of customers looking forward to it.

"Ironically, a lot of the players who smoke have said they can't wait for the ban to come into force, as they would also prefer to play in a smoke-free atmosphere."

Mr Zammitt said six members of staff at the club have quit smoking in the last three months and another four plan to quit this weekend.

The club has also created a designated outside area for smokers, and hope that increased prize amounts will tempt smoking punters to stay.

Meanwhile a Newport sports club that introduced a smoking ban last year has seen nothing but success.

Newport County AFC's award-winning social club, Bar Amber, introduced a ban last September after club directors were impressed on a visit to smoke-free pubs in Ireland.

The club is now fully booked for functions up until 2008.

Lisa Savage, functions coordinator, said: "We were quite concerned we would have a reduction in bookings, but in fact only one person declined when we told them of the no smoking policy.

"People are much happier this way."