Wellington pub landlords fear a serious fall in takings, loss of jobs and possibly even closure if Government plans to ban smoking in enclosed public areas gets the go-ahead.
Landlords and managers feel that many people who go out drinking also smoke and so any ban will have a serious affect on takings which, in turn, will affect the number of staff employed and the viability of the pubs.
The plan to ban smoking in cafs, restaurants and most pubs in England in four years was unveiled by the Government in a White Paper on Public Health on Tuesday.
For the full story, see the Wellington edition of this week's Somerset County Gazette.
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