The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has called on the Government to release regulations governing the smoking bill in England before Parliament ahead of its Christmas break.

In a letter to opublic health minister Caroline Flint, pub association boss Rob Hayward said he was seriously concerned about the delay in the publication of the draft regulations.

“Industry and local government have been told persistently that the English (and therefore Welsh) regulations will be virtually identical to the Scottish regulations,” said Hayward.

“It is, therefore, totally unacceptable that we are still facing delays in the publication of the drafts, the absence of which indicates that Government does not recognise their importance either for business or local government.”

The hospitality industry has welcomed the announcement of a 1 July start date for a ban on smoking in enclosed public places in England after months of uncertainty.

A ban on smoking in Scotland started in March and both Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to introduce their restrictions on lighting up by the end of April.

For more on smoking ban>>

We need smoking ban guidelines to hit July start date>>

Opinion on smoking ban: It's time to look to the family market>>

England smoking ban set for 1 July start>>

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