A YORK pub is pressing ahead with its plans to go smoke-free, despite the tobacco ban denting its owner's profits.

The Postern Gate, in Piccadilly, will stub out smoking within the next few months, following the example of about 15 other pubs in its chain, JD Wetherspoon.

Profits have fallen by about seven per cent in some no-smoking Wetherspoon outlets, which is being partially blamed on the ban.

But spokesman Eddie Gershon said the group's York pubs remained undeterred.

"We're absolutely committed to making our pubs smoke-free, and the two York pubs will both become smoke-free as well," he said.

"We have had less drink sales and more food sales in other outlets, but then it will take time for people to get used to.

"Maybe others are being nave by expecting things to fall in to place straight away - we've always said it will take time for people to get to grips with."

Meanwhile, it has been claimed that many pubs in York and North Yorkshire may stop serving food to get round the Government's smoking ban.

A survey of publicans in the Yorkshire region shows that the number of pubs which could be exempt from the smoking ban, because they do not serve food, could rise from the current figure of 38 per cent to 49 per cent.

The proportion of exempt pubs in deprived parts of England and Wales could also rise from 41 per cent to 50 per cent, compared with 26 per cent in the most affluent areas.

But Anita Adams, landlady of the Golden Slipper in York, said pubs may not survive if they stopped serving food.

"Food can be a big part of a pub's business and without it they may not survive as a drinking outlet.

"Licensees can't compete with supermarkets because they sell alcohol at lower prices than most licensees can buy it for, never mind put a margin on it and make a profit.

"I think most pubs will have to stop the smoking rather than food.

"It is a wicked thing the Government is doing to make licensees chose between the two."

The survey was commissioned by Cancer Research UK and Action on Smoking and Health.

Professor Alex Markham, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: "Going smoke-free will save lives. It will protect the health of workers, and evidence shows that it will help smokers quit.

"But this survey provides strong evidence that a partial smoke-free law would widen the health gap between rich and poor.

"By introducing comprehensive smoke-free legislation the Government would demonstrate that it is truly serious about addressing health inequalities."

Updated: 11:03 Tuesday, September 06, 2005