Andrew Hosegood said that his customers knew that his Mange Tout outlets were non-smoking, so he refused to display the A4-sized signs that are required by the law which came into force on 2 January. The health protection team, which is responsible for enforcing the ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces, said that Mr Hosegood was the only one to raise objections to putting up the signs. They say that without signs it would be very difficult to prosecute those who commit a criminal offence and smoke in prohibited areas. Mr Hosegood has now put them up after being told that action would be taken against him and he could lose his licence to trade. ‘I decided to put up the signs because I just couldn’t spare the time fighting these people,’ he said. ‘It wasn’t that they wanted to fine me £50 or something – they threatened to close my business. ‘What is wrong with talking to customers and telling them about our long-standing no-smoking policy? This is bureaucracy out of control. There are far more important measures that our money could be directed at instead of wasting it on people walking round town putting up signs where they are not needed.’
