The Stage

York Theatre Royal stubs out smoking

Published Tuesday 13 January 2004 at 12:55

York Theatre Royal has introduced a smoking ban in all public areas after coming under pressure from audience members and staff concerned about the effects of passive inhalation.

Although the offices and backstage areas are already designated smoke free zones, from February 1 the venue will follow the example set by other major producing houses and introduce the new policy throughout the building.

Currently 90% of premises owned or managed by the Ambassador Theatre Group are completely smoke free while nearly one in four of Clear Channel Entertainment’s venues exercise an outright ban with the remaining sites offering designated smoking areas.

Chief executive of York Theatre Royal Ludo Keston said: “As a building welcoming about 200,000 visitors a year, many of whom are children, we strive to ensure that we offer a safe and pleasant environment for visitors and staff alike. The new rule will provide a more pleasant and healthier environment for all those using the theatre in the future.”

The move follows comments made earlier this month by culture minister Tessa Jowell outlining plans to meet with leaders of the hospitality industry and discuss how to increase choices for non-smokers in public places.

In a recent article Jowell said it was not the government’s place to impose a blanket ban but encouraged the hospitality industry to take advantage of the huge numbers of non-smokers by providing a wider variety of smoke free options.

Equity spokesperson Martin Brown supported the comments. He said: “For sometime we have discussed ways of minimising risks to performers. Our major concern, however is for variety artists performing in clubs and bars. We have been encouraging venue owners to provide suitable ventilation to cut down on the risk of passive smoking to allow people to work without damaging their health.”