Rowhedge landlord John Smith has written to the Prime Minister to vent his anger at a proposed anti-smoking law which he claims could close his pub for good.

Mr Smith has run Ye Olde Albion on Rowhedge quayside for 13 years but fears for his livelihood if new rules come in which will amount to a ban on smoking in small pubs.

The Government White Paper calls on the owners of public venues like pubs to either set aside an area for non-smokers or install approved extraction equipment.

This, said Mr Smith, would put small pubs out of business. In a strong letter to Tony Blair, he claims if the legislation goes through he will have to shut up shop.

He said: "I and every other small publican may as well retire if this piece of madness goes through."

Mr Smith said his pub was too small to set aside a special area and he could not afford the £3,000-plus for extraction equipment.

He added: "People who go to pubs expect there to be smoke. Those who don't want to be around it simply don't go to pubs.

"Doesn't the Government realise small pubs are fighting for their very survival? Customers are thin on the ground anyway, what with the supermarkets, the town centre mega-pubs and cheap continental beer.

"Ban smokers ... who's left?"

As well as writing to Mr Blair, Mr Smith has taken his grievance to MP Bernard Jenkin. Conservative Mr Jenkin has agreed to lobby for a Government rethink following a meeting at the Albion.

He said the change was another nail in the coffin of the village pub.

He said: "This is a ridiculously typical nanny state Tony Blair regulation. It might be sensible in big pubs and restaurants but for your average village pub it's ridiculous to say we can't have smoking.

"There needs to be an opt-out for smaller pubs."

Mr Jenkin said he would be taking the issue up with Government ministers.

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