Landlady fined over smoking in the bar and allowing customers to do so just nine months after re-opening pub
The licensee of a Rugeley pub which only re-opened in March after an extensive refurbishment has been fined after being found smoking in the bar and allowing customers to do so.
Police officers were looking at CCTV in relation to another matter when they found evidence of Amanda Frisby and others smoking at The Cabin pub outside normal opening hours, and passed on the evidence to Cannock Chase Council, where the Environmental Health Service is responsible for enforcing smoke free legislation.
She was later interviewed by Staffordshire Police and an officer from the council’s Environmental Health team when she admitted to both smoking and permitting others to smoke inside the premises, despite being aware that it is illegal to do so.
Five other people that were present were also issued with fixed penalties for smoking in a smoke free premises, an offence under the Health Act 2006).
The landlady, took up the reins at the Market Square pub in March with her husband Grahame – but her family have been regulars there for 80 years. She was fined £766 for the offence
Councillor Andrea Muckley, portfolio leader for environment and climate change at Cannock Chase Council said: “The dangers of breathing other people’s tobacco smoke are well known. "These laws were brought in seventeen years ago to protect public health.
"The law is clear and simple: anyone caught smoking in a smoke free place or anyone who allows smoking in such a place is committing an offence which results in a fixed penalty notice or prosecution.
"The council greatly values the assistance of Staffordshire Police in this matter, which shows partnership working at its best.”
