Press & Public Relations

Case Study: Da Venditto - Customers given vote on smoke free restaurant

LEADING Welsh restaurateur Toni Venditto is taking the bold step of asking his diners whether it is time to stub out smoking at his award-winning restaurant.

Politicians and health campaigners have welcomed the move that could lead to the restaurant becoming what they believe would be the first high-quality, non-smoking restaurant in Wales.

During February all customers at the restaurant, daVenditto in Park Place, Cardiff, will be asked to complete a questionnaire asking for their views on smoking in the restaurant.

If the majority gives smoking the thumbs down the restaurant will become smoke free.

Toni Venditto said he had decided to consult his customers because of the well documented health risks from smoking and from inhaling other people’s smoke.

The top restaurateur also argues that such a move would improve the dining experience for smokers and non-smokers alike.

“I know as an ex-smoker that the food tastes a lot better. When I gave up smoking I realised I could taste all the flavours and details of the food so much better. As a restaurant this is of course very important to us.

“Also, I do not think it is fair for other people in the restaurant, having their dining experience spoiled and for them to go home with their clothes smelling of other people’s smoke.

“I am sure the customers will vote by a large majority for the restaurant to be non-smoking.”

The move has been praised by Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan who has moved a Bill at Westminster to give the National Assembly for Wales the power to end smoking in enclosed public places.

The Bill is backed by key public health groups including the British Medical Association Wales Cymru, the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Action on Smoking and Health.

Julie Morgan said: “I really welcome this initiative by Toni Venditto. I think it is important that diners should be able to have the opportunity to breathe smoke free air.

“I hope that the result of my Private Member’s Bill will be that there will be smoke free air throughout Wales in restaurants and pubs and I think it is great that Toni Venditto is taking this step to give his customers their say.”

Naomi King of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in Wales said: “This is an excellent idea from both a business and health point of view and shows that Toni Venditto is one step ahead of the Government.

“I'm sure that his survey will show that the vast majority of his customers would prefer to eat in a no-smoking environment.

“Ash Wales together with all the leading health organisations in the UK
supports a ban on smoking in all public places because of the proven health
risks of second hand smoke.”

The results of the survey will be announced at the end of February.

For further information, interviews and photograph opportunities please contact: Toni daVenditto: 029 2034 5903

Julie Morgan MP, 029 2062 4166 (Cardiff constituency office), 0207 219 6960 (House of Commons office), E-mail: morganj@parliament.uk

Naomi King, Ash in Wales, 029 2064 1101

Note to Editors:

• The Bill was formally announced in Parliament on January 12 and is likely to have its second reading in March 2005.
  
• The Government’s White Paper on Public Health published on November 16, 2004 supported legislation to restrict smoking in most public places in England and Wales but also proposed exemptions for private clubs and pubs that do not serve prepared food.
  
• Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and the former Assembly Health Minister Jane Hutt both indicated that Wales may get specific powers to bring in their own regulations but this has yet to be resolved.
  
• The National Assembly is currently conducting hearings and has previously voted in favour of seeking the necessary power from the UK Parliament.
• According to the National Public Health Service for Wales 20 per cent of people in social class 1 (least deprived) smoke compared with 33 per cent in social class 5 (most deprived).
  
• Smoking is Wales’ biggest cause of preventable deaths, causing 80 per cent of deaths from lung cancer, around 80 per cent of all deaths from bronchitis and emphysema and around 17 per cent of all deaths from heart disease.
  
• A MORI poll commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health found that of 4,000 people surveyed 78 per cent supported a law to ensure that all enclosed workplaces must be smoke free.

• daVenditto is part of the daVenditto Group which includes daVenditto, Topo Gigio and Fontana Wine Bar, all in Cardiff.

• The restaurant was awarded AA Restaurant of the Year for Wales 2001-2002, holds two AA Rosettes and has featured in The Good Food Guide.

• It has been voted one of the top five Italian restaurants in the UK by Martini magazine.

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Copyright 2005 MediaSmith