Punch Pub Company is reporting more than 1,500 of its pubs are now compliant with the Public Places Charter on smoking.
The figure, which represents 37 per cent of the company's national estate, means Punch is well on course to meet its target of making at least half its pubs Charter compliant by the end of the year.
Punch Pub Company’s property and development director Deborah Kemp said she was delighted with the progress made.
She said: “We are using every available opportunity to promote the importance of self regulation on smoking to our licensees.
“We have also trained our 18 project managers so they can explain the benefits of the Public Places Charter and survey and certify an individual pub’s ventilation systems.
“Once licensees understand that the Charter is about improving air quality rather than just a blanket ban on smoking they recognise it as a good idea that could give their pub a competitive advantage.”
Of the 1,529 Punch licensees who have already signed up, 36 per cent operate a smoking policy other than ‘Smoking Allowed Throughout’, such as creating no smoking areas or ventilating the entire premises.
Deborah added: “We also suggest licensees consider installing electronic air filtration units. They significantly improve indoor air quality and we are able to source them at a discounted rate.”
AIR (Atmosphere Improves Results), which promotes uptake of the Charter and encourages operators to think about improving air quality, is delighted by the success of Punch Pub Company.
Oliver Griffiths, spokesperson for AIR, said: “It is great to see a company acting in such a responsible manner.
“Providing customers with a choice is fundamental to the success of self regulation and we are pleased that many customers who choose to drink in a Punch pub are offered a non-smoking area or improved air quality. This is a fantastic start.”
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