Licensed operators in Fife plan protest against smoking ban

Licensed operators across Fife are planning to shut down for one night in January in protest against the Scottish smoking ban

Pubs and clubs in the area are calling on the Scottish Executive to relax the legislation to include provision for ventilated smoking rooms.

They have collected a petition of 9,000 signatures which will be handed in to the Scottish Parliament at the start of 2007.

David Nelson, secretary of Glenrothe's Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation Club, said the protest is already gaining widespread support.

"So far 32 premises have said they are willing to shut their doors and we are having another meeting in Cowdenbeath soon so there will no doubt be more," he told the Dundee Courier.

"Closing the pubs will get the Executive's attention as it's a protest to get them to look at the law again and let us have a smoking room."

By Dan Thomas

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