Air Cleaning Technology Questions Smoking Ban

Antony Worrall Thompson questions the need for a total smoking ban as air cleaning technology exists.

Air cleaners in Antony Worrall Thompson's Notting Grill restaurant banish the smoke, not the smokers.

Chef and restaurateur Antony Worrall Thompson says there is no need to ban smoking completely from restaurants, pubs and hotels, especially as highly efficient air cleaners can be installed to remove the smoke problem.

"I believe in freedom of choice.

We have smoking and non-smoking rooms in my Notting Grill restaurant.

Smoke and harmful particles are removed by high-tech Honeywell air cleaners.

"Two units in the smoking area leave a cleaner atmosphere that allows smokers and non-smokers to meet without awkwardness.

The non-smoking room is available for private hire during the day, when smoking may be allowed, so it also has two Honeywell air cleaners which remove smoke during the hire and ensure every trace of smoke has been removed before it opens to the public.

They are good news for everyone who believes smoke is a danger.

"Takings are 14 per cent higher in the smoking area because smokers stay longer and drink more.

By fitting the Honeywell air cleaners there, we've made it more comfortable for non-smokers to dine with their smoking friends." Antony Worrall Thompson is a patron of FOREST, whose goal is to create a society that accommodates smokers without inconveniencing non-smokers.

"Why should the anti-smoking lobby dictate our lifestyle at the expense of our well-known culture of tolerance?" he asks.

"The anti-smoking lobby cries out for a total ban and chooses to ignore the fact that good air cleaning technology exists.

For example, the anti-smoking pressure group ASH defends its campaign for a smoking ban by focusing on the 'inadequacies of air conditioning' which, they say, 'only circulates the air and doesn't take out carcinogens'.

But they are confusing basic air conditioning with highly-efficient, purpose-designed electrostatic air cleaners, like the Honeywell units in my restaurant.

These are sited within the room and remove smoke and harmful particles." For its part, Honeywell doesn't condone smoking, but says it can help with the smoke problem, so smokers aren't alienated.

The global company is a specialist in environmental control and has been providing air cleaners to remove tobacco smoke from public places in the UK for 25 years.

Worldwide, Honeywell has supplied millions of air cleaners over 40 years.

It recommends adequate ventilation is installed, in addition to air cleaning.

Essex-based Inn-House Technology not only installed the air cleaners but also services them regularly to ensure high efficiency.

Honeywell's electrostatic air cleaners work in two ways.

First, larger particles are trapped by a mesh filter.

Tiny particles remaining receive an electrostatic charge and are attracted onto aluminium plates, like iron filings onto a magnet.

The cleaned air is recirculated by high efficiency fans.

The design ensures an effective air distribution pattern which offers excellent cleaning efficiency whilst minimising draughts.

Honeywell has models in various sizes and designs to suit the decor, from ultra modern to traditional wood-effect housings that harmonise with rustic interiors.

Although he periodically gives up smoking (or tries to!), Antony Worrall Thomson insists he will continue to defend smokers.

"I've got absolutely nothing against smokers.

When I didn't smoke it didn't worry me.

I believe in choice.

If you want to smoke you should be allowed to.

We have a separate area with Honeywell air cleaners in Notting Grill and I'm proud of it.".

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