Punch Pub Company is using staff training to help its pubs comply with the Public Places Charter on smoking.
Punch's 18 project managers attended a training course on ventilating premises at the Park Gate Hotel in Cannock Wood, West Midlands.
Deborah Kemp, Punch Pub Company's property and development director, said the initiative would enable the company to fulfil its commitment of making at least half of its 4,300 pubs comply with the Charter by the end of the year.
"We are one of the first major operators to develop an in house capability to assess pubs for the Charter's ventilation standard," she said.
"For some time we have been actively encouraging our lessees and tenants to take a proactive stance on industry self regulation and comply with the Charter by clarifying their smoking policy.
"The completion of the ventilation training programme means we can provide them with all the necessary resources to facilitate compliance."
The one day training course included an introduction to the Public Places Charter and the issue of smoking in pubs, briefings on ventilation systems and equipment, and a practical session on assessing a pub's specific ventilation requirements.
Consultant engineer Barry Waring, who conducted the training, said: "The course will help project managers understand the capabilities of a pub's existing ventilation system or specify new equipment if required.
"They are also encouraged to consider issues such as energy efficiency. There is no point in making recommendations to a licensee if they do not prove cost effective."
Deborah added: "There is a real benefit in introducing the Charter guidelines for pubs as an effective policy can help boost food and drink sales. It also impacts upon members of staff and the environment in which they work."
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