TO smoke or not to smoke, that is the quandary drinkers in a peaceful local village have found themselves faced with. For many people living in the village of Redbrook, near Monmouth, a pint of beer would just not be the same if it isn't accompanied by a smoke (or two). But, the village has literally been divided in two as a result of the Government ban on smoking in Wales. That ban means smoking in public places is completely banned. However, the River Wye forms the border between England and Wales, which means regulars at two local pubs, situated a walking distance apart, are worlds apart legally. If they are having a pint in the Boat Inn they cannot smoke, but if they are in the Bell Inn a smoke is very much in order. It is very much a postcode lottery and Shaleen Goodman, landlady at the Boat Inn, confesses it is "a ridiculous situation". She said that, at the moment, with nice weather, most of her customers were not being that badly affected. However, she said some customers, including the older ones who had been smoking for years, just could not understand the situation. "They cannot understand how you can smoke in a pub a short distance away, yet can't have a cigarette in the Boat" she said. With the smoking ban only just introduced, there was no real signs this week that customers at the Boat were popping across the river for a quick smoke in the Bell. However, until England follows in the same non- smoking footsteps as Wales later this summer, there is always that possibility. Because of its unique location, Redbrook has thrown up another situation involving free prescriptions. If you live on one side of the river in Redbrook, in Wales, you get your prescriptions for free. If you live on the English side of the river, you have to pay. "Stupid and unfair" was how one Beacon reader, who called us on Monday, described the situation. The ban on smoking will affect all areas of life in Monmouthshire, including hotels, pubs, clubs, theatres, cinemas. Bosses who do not display adequate no smoking signs will be fined £200. They will face a fine of up to £2,500 if they allow people to smoke on their premises. Welsh Health Minister, Brian Gibbons, promised "There is not going to be a draconian approach to this, but there is surely no one who doesn't know the ban has been introduced". The British Medical Association commented "This is the greatest public health initiative in Wales for over a century".
