Many pubs would stop serving food to get round the Government's proposed smokefree law

Many pubs would stop serving food to get round the Government's proposed smokefree law, according to the first national survey of publicans on the issue. The survey was commissioned by Cancer Research UK and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

Results show that the proportion of exempt pubs in England and Wales could rise by a third – from 29 per cent at present to 40 per cent – if the Government proceeds with a smokefree law that excludes pubs that do not serve prepared food. In the poorest areas, the proportion could be as high as 50 per cent.

The findings – released on the closing day of the Government's consultation on smokefree workplaces – confirm fears that a partial ban would widen the health gap between rich and poor. The results put great pressure on the Government to drop the proposed exemptions from the smokefree legislation.

Independent survey firm IFF Research Ltd surveyed 1252 publicans, landlords and managers across England and Wales, to gauge the proportion of pubs currently serving food, as well as publicans' future plans with regard to serving food once smokefree legislation is introduced.

The survey confirms that publicans would stop serving food in order to allow smoking, and shows that the situation would be particularly bad in poor areas. The proportion of exempt pubs in the most deprived areas could rise from 41 per cent currently to 50 per cent after the introduction of legislation.

Pub workers in deprived areas are already more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke. Sixty-two per cent of surveyed pubs in the most deprived areas currently allow smoking throughout the premises – compared with 26 per cent in the most affluent areas.

Cancer Research UK's Chief Executive, Professor Alex Markham, says: "Going smokefree will save lives. It will protect the health of workers, and evidence shows that it will help smokers quit.

"But this survey provides strong evidence that a partial smokefree law would widen the health gap between rich and poor.

"By introducing comprehensive smokefree legislation the Government would demonstrate that it is truly serious about addressing health inequalities."

ASH Director Deborah Arnott says: "This survey shows that the Government is threatening to undermine the enormous public health benefits of its smokefree legislation by exempting many pubs and clubs. These will be heavily concentrated in the poorest communities across the country – areas generally represented by Labour MPs. And of course, exemptions would leave many workers at most risk from the damage caused by secondhand smoke.

"This research should be the final evidence the Government needs to drop the exemptions and get on with bringing in a comprehensive smokefree law."