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Bolton pub defying smoking ban 'could be closed down'

03/07/2007

A pub in Greater Manchester could be closed down if it continues to break the new smoking legislation that was introduced in England on Sunday.

The Swan Hotel in Churchgate, Bolton made the national press when landlord Nick Hogan openly flouted the law by inviting customers to light up on his premises.

Councillor Pat Karney, NHS director of Smoke Free Greater Manchester, told the BBC that the pub was breaking the law and he accused the landlord of participating in a tobacco industry stunt.

"We have got a situation here though in Bolton where they are glorifying breaking the law. A prosecution warning will follow," he stated.

"If that prosecution warning doesn't work I am advocating that the pub should be closed down."

He went onto say that all the councils in Greater Manchester are committed to working closely with local businesses and winning public support for the ban.

According to reports, the pub was filled with more than 100 smokers only six hours after the ban came into force.

Mr Hogan, who claims he is not pro-smoking but pro-choice, has said he is prepared to go to court over the fight.



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