I was shocked to read this recently in the Argus, as I had always assumed that there was a no smoking policy in place at the Pier.
 
Surely this can be the only tourist attraction and public venue in the whole City that still allows smoking ?
 
As the Labour Party Candidate for Queens Park ward (in which the pier is situated) I am therefore calling on the Council to instigate an urgent review of fire safety measures at the Pier.
 
By the pier's own admission there have been "small ignitions on the pier decking".  This is one of our premier attractions and the safety of the many thousands of people using it should be of paramount importance, it is after all a wooden structure and the fire safety should not be compromised by statements such as "a smoking ban would be difficult to police".
 
A total ban is long overdue, and I hope the fire service and the council will be insisting on one as soon as possible, before we do indeed have a major incident on our hands.
 
Let's protect this jewel in Brighton's tourism crown.
 
Chris Cooke
Labour Party Candidate for Queens Park ward.