Lobby Your MP

Join us at the House of Commons on Wednesday 29th June 2011

MPs from the three main political parties are uniting to support our campaign to amend the smoking ban and we want YOU to join them.

Greg Knight (Conservative), Roger Godsiff (Labour) and John Hemming (Liberal Democrat) will host a reception for the Save Our Pubs & Clubs campaign at the House of Commons on Wednesday 29th June 2011 from 4.00-6.00pm

The event marks the fourth anniversary of the introduction of the smoking ban in England and comes a few months after the fifth anniversary of the ban in Scotland.

Greg Knight, who helped launched the Save Our Pubs & Clubs campaign in 2009, said, “This is a unique opportunity for pubs and clubs to show how strongly they feel on this important issue. A modest change in the law, not a repeal of the smoking ban, is all we seek.

Mick McGlasham, general secretary of the Clubs & Institute Union which is supporting the event, said, “The ban was passed because the TUC wanted to protect staff and non-smokers but there is no reason on earth why we cannot have a separate smoking room in what are private premises, especially with modern ventilation.”

Simon Clark, director of Forest and the Save Our Pubs & Clubs campaign, said, “The reception is a wonderful opportunity to lobby your MP to support, at the very least, a review of smoking ban that has done so much to damage pubs and clubs nationwide.

“If you are coming to the reception you should contact your MP in advance and arrange to meet them at the event. The smoking ban has been a huge factor in the closure of many pubs and clubs and this is your chance to tell your MP, face to face, how the ban has affected your local community and what he can do to help.”

To attend the reception in the Terrace Pavilion at the House of Commons, guests MUST register in advance as places are limited. After you have registered you will be sent full details including an admission ticket. Telephone Nicky Shepherd on 01223 370156 or email info@amendthesmokingban.com.