Smoking-ban signs in Cathedral are 'lunacy' (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Smoking-ban signs in Cathedral are 'lunacy'

12:41pm Friday 25th May 2007 in

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THE Cathedral in Blackburn is being forced to display no smoking signs in a move branded "lunacy".

From July 1 the grade II listed building, parts of which date back to the 19th century will have to put up A5 sized signs as public buildings go smoke free.

Cathedral chiefs said there had never been a problem with people smoking in the building, but that even though it was not necessary they would comply with the law.

The Department for Health said listed buildings could put the signs on temporary boards but they must be displayed.

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But Gordon Prentice, Pendle MP, said: "It would be absolute lunacy to require cathedrals and churches to fix no smoking signs to their doors."

Canon Michael Wedgeworth, cathedral administrator, said: "I don't know anybody who smokes in the cathedral, I have never seen it happen. But we understand that places where people are should be smoke free and will conform with the law.

"We don't want to make a fuss even though it's not really necessary."

He said he was in the process of printing purple A5 size signs.

Canon Wedgeworth added: "It does not say precisely where signs have to be placed, so it gives flexibility.

"The impression you get from them is that it is a reminder.

"With them being purple you could say they are a bit ecclesiastical."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Churches are public buildings and work places and must abide by the same smoke free legislation as all public buildings and work places."