Bank Stores public house, commercial road, Lowestoft.

A Lowestoft landlady has been fined after health and safety officers caught a person smoking inside her pub.

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Paula Fox was questioned by health and safety officers on August 25 2011 when they were passing The Bank Stores pub, Lowestoft, and saw a person smoking in the lobby.

Mrs Fox, 47, of Banks Store, Commercial Road, Lowestoft, claimed she tried to stop people smoking inside the lobby entrance to the pub, but people did not always listen.

Victoria Nutley, prosecuting on behalf of Waveney District Council, said: “On August 25 two health and safety officers were travelling past Bank Stores and saw a man standing in the lobby entrance smoking.

“They pulled over the car and spoke to Paula Fox who said she had spoken to customers in the past and informed them to stop smoking inside.”

Mrs Fox, who represented herself at Lowestoft Magistrates’ Court today [Thursday, January 19], said: “I find it hard. Some listen to me and some don’t.”

Chairman of the bench Trevor Allchin said he had taken into account her situation and had decided to issue a fine.

Mrs Fox pleaded guilty to failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free premises. She was fined £80 and ordered to pay £165 costs.

Meanwhile, Alan Dewing, 62, of Maidstone Road, Lowestoft, was also due in court today alleged with smoking at The Bank Stores pub on August 25 2011. The case was adjourned to February 16.

The smoking ban in England and Wales was introduced by the Health Act 2006. It works by creating smoke-free premises in which it is an offence to smoke. The person in charge of the premises offends if they fail to stop someone smoking there.