PUBLICANS and restaurateurs in west and north Wiltshire are being urged to introduce a one-day smoking ban to see how it goes down with punters.
A Wiltshire-wide partnership, including NHS bodies, is calling on the hospitality trade to use national No Smoking Day on March 10 as a practice run for a smoke free environment.
Mike Jones, Smoke Free Wiltshire coordinator, said: "The hospitality trade and other businesses can support the three-quarters of smokers who say they want to stop and protect the health of their customers, staff and visitors by providing more smoke free areas."
Chicago Rock Cafe in Trowbridge offers a no smoking restaurant between 11.30am and 5.00pm each day. PR manager Kerry Burrell said she thought an overall ban would lead to difficulties.
She said: "If there were a complete ban on smoking in this area you would see people standing on street corners."
The Tipsy Toad pub in Bulkington holds a Silver Smoke Free Award, backed by the Wiltshire alliance.
Manager David Kempster said: "Since introducing a smoke free area we have happier customers."
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