LYME Regis publicans have labelled a proposed nationwide smoking ban a drag, and warned their businesses could go up in smoke if it is passed. The News spoke to pub landlords in Lyme Regis and Charmouth this week, most of whom said the Government's proposals to ban smoking in pubs and restaurants where food is served were mis placed. The Government announced its plans in a White Paper on health earlier this week - to mixed reactions. Health campaigners concerned about passive smoking welcomed the news, but smokers have complained of civil and human rights infringements, and not a few times have the words 'nanny state' been mentioned. Stephen Gardener, from the Talbot Arms in Uplyme, said: "It's Big Brother syndrome. Where will it end? "Where do you draw the line?" Mr Gardener said he had made ample provision for smokers and non-smokers in his pub, and the restaurant was gen erally non-smoking unless a party had booked the whole room. But he said he feared that some of his regular drinkers who enjoyed a ciga rette with their drink, might choose not to come to the pub. On the other hand, said Mr Gardener, it might encourage diners, who didn't like the idea of a smoky pub, to try them out for food. Lesley Stone at the Royal Lion hotel in Lyme's Broad Street said she would be disappointed if the proposed ban was passed. She said: "I think a ban will be sad because I do believe people should have free will. "It's down to personal choice. "I already have two non-smoking areas and areas for children, my restaurant is non-smoking. I'm very happy to cater for all needs. "I don't believe people should take away free will." Dave Henson, who runs the Ship in Coombe Street, said he hoped his pub would be exempt from the ban because he and his wife, Mary, didn't serve food. He said: "Hopefully, we will be exempt, but if we're not, it will be des perate. "About 80 per cent of my customers smoke, being a little back-street pub. If smoking was banned, I couldn't see us being here that long." He said: "It's a freedom of choice thing. I've got signs up saying smoking is permitted and people can come in or not." But deputy town mayor Peter Bean welcomed the ban on smoking in places where food was served. He said: "I don't eat my food in a smoke-filled atmosphere at home, why should I when I go out?" Coun Bean said people should be allowed to smoke if they wanted to, but consideration should be given to those who didn't because passive smoking had been proven to be a health risk