A LICENSEE has urged that pub landlords should be able to make their policy on smoking rather than have it decided for them.

Debbie Ashworth, landlady of the Pendle Inn, Barley, spoke as licensees were pressed to sign up to a voluntary charter on smoking in pubs before the trade has to report back to government.

The Charter Group fears that unless pub operators take part in the scheme, legislation will be forced on them.

Ms Ashworth said: "It would not be a good idea to have no-smoking policies throughout the pub, because when many people come out for a drink they have a cigarette at the same time.

"It should be at the discretion of each pub to decide where smoking restrictions should be, then customers could make up their own minds. I think that one segregated no-smoking area is enough to have, like we currently have."

Charter Group chairman Nick Bish warned: "The industry has said to the government that by next year half of all the pubs will have signed up to the charter. There is an increased urgency for the industry to do something and demonstrate that we can effectively self-regulate .

"At the end of the summer I will be giving the government a progress report."

The reminder came as GMB, one of the largest trade unions representing bar staff, h voted to press for a blanket ban on smoking in pubs.

Signing up to the Charter is free. Signs are put up so that customers and staff are clear about the designated smoking and non-smoking areas. Signs can be obtained free of charge by calling AIR (Atmosphere Improves Results) on 020 7482 0602.