Licensee must pay £1,125 for pub smoking offence

A WARRINGTON licensee has been fined £400 and ordered to pay costs of £725 for failing to stop people smoking in her pub.
Ms Denise Cooke, the designated premises supervisor at the Cheshire Cheese pub , was found guilty by Warrington Magistrates Court for breaching the smoke free rules under the Health Act 2006.
She did not appear in court and was convicted in her absence.
The prosecution was brought by Warrington Borough Council’s regulatory services following the recovery of CCTV evidence from the pub by Cheshire Police.
The footage from March 16 showed Cooke smoking behind the bar while serving customers who were sitting at the bar and were also smoking.
After the hearing, Peter Astley, (pictured) the borough council’s assistant director for regulation and public protection, said: “The smoke free legislation under the Health Act 2007 has been inforce since July 1, 2007.
Ms Cooke had received previous advisory visits from officers to ensure she fully understood the smoke free rules.
“The legislation was designed to improve the health of those previously at risk from second hand smoke particularly those working in premises like pubs. If you breathe in second hand smoke you are exposed to over 4000 chemical gases and particles, some of which are proven harmful and dangerous poisons.
“This legislation is very popular with those who work in and frequent, pubs and other public spaces due to the health and other benefits and it is inevitable that we will find out very quickly when these laws are being flaunted. We will not tolerate individuals or premises breaching the smoke free rules in this manner when the majority of businesses are fully compliant.”
Cllr Judith Guthrie, the council’s lead member for environment and public protection said: “Second hand smoke is well known as something which contributes to or directly causes a number of illnesses and conditions, like cancer and heart disease. I fully support the action taken by our regulatory services Team in dealing with this reckless behaviour.”