Three more city venues go smokefree

August 31, 2005 - PRESS RELEASE FROM SMOKEFREE LIVERPOOL

The Everyman and Playhouse theatres and the White Horse, Woolton, are set to join the swelling ranks of Liverpool's 100% smokefree businesses from September 1.

The decision to implement a totally no smoking policy at each of the venues has been taken as a direct result of customer feedback.

When surveyed, almost three-quarters of visitors to both the Everyman and Liverpool Playhouse venues classed smoking in the bar areas as a serious irritant, with over 50 per cent going so far as to say that the problem bothers them a 'great deal'.

The survey also revealed one in six theatre-goers would use the bar facilities more if they were smoke free and almost 50 per cent would actually visit the theatre more often if a totally no-smoking policy were implemented.

The survey went on to uncover that only six per cent of those questioned would use the same facilities less if a no smoking policy were enforced there.

The decision taken by both theatres and by the White Horse in Woolton has been welcomed by representatives from SmokeFree Liverpool who are actively combating the issue of second hand smoke by campaigning for the introduction of 100% smokefree legislation across the city.

Over 100 people die every year in Liverpool alone as a direct consequence of second hand smoke, whilst countless others develop serious conditions such asthma, bronchitis and other serious respiratory and coronary disorders.

SmokeFree Liverpool Programme Director, Andrea Crossfield, said: "The decision taken by the Everyman and Liverpool Playhouse theatres and the White Horse to go 100% smokefree is unquestionably the right one."

She continued: "Not only will it improve the overall experience enjoyed by customers, but it will protect the health of those staff who have previously had to work within a smoke filled environment."
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Everyman and Liverpool Playhouse Marketing Director, Sarah Ogle, said: "Our customers have indicated to us that they would be fully supportive of a 100% smokefree policy and we have responded in kind. However more importantly, the health of our staff was also a major consideration in the decision making process and we are more than happy to be able to implement a policy which has their interests at heart."

Mike Morris, Landlord at the White Horse in Woolton, commented: "We have decided to take this step to protect not only our customers but our staff from the dangers of second hand tobacco smoke. We have discussed the decision at length with our customers and they are fully supportive of the move."