Smoke signals

The number of pubs with

no-smoking areas has more

than doubled in the past seven years, according to a new survey of landlords. It reveals that

52% have designated areas

where smoking is banned, up from 46% last year and 23% in 1997. Just 1% of publicans

have taken the healthiest

route and banned smoking throughout their premises.

The licensed trade is likely

to seize on the findings as

further proof that self-regulation should be pursued rather than legislation to bring about an outright ban.

Just over half the 720 licensees questioned for trade magazine

The Publican thought they

should be able to decide the smoking policy in their premises. However, 23% backed the idea

of mandatory no-smoking areas and 15% want a complete smoking ban.

Six out of 10 landlords still

think a ban would result in ''severe losses and closures'', but 33% predict an initial dip in trade followed by a recovery. Less than 10% thought there would be

little impact or an improvement

in business. ''With 15% of licensees saying they are in favour of a complete smoking ban, the sense that they can tackle the issue themselves is really gathering force,'' says the magazine.

The Scottish Executive is currently carrying out a four-month consultation on the effects of a ban. If the response is overwhelmingly in favour, it is almost certain it would follow Ireland, New York and California in outlawing smoking in pubs. The consultation paper is available through GPs, hospitals, dentists, council offices, chemists and on www.scotland.gov.uk/smokingconsultation.

Smashing pumpkins

Hallowe'en will never be the same. A new white variety of pumpkin is due to go on sale to encourage cooks to experiment with the autumnal bounty.

Supermarket chain Asda is introducing the Snowman Pumpkin, which has pale skin

and flesh, in the run-up to Hallowe'en, when pumpkins

now outsell the traditional

neep for carving lanterns.

According to Asda's customer focus groups, however, although sales of pumpkins soar from mid October, the number of people who actually cook with the vegetable is minimal.

''As well as being used in traditional pies, risottos and

soups, there is a whole host of ways of cooking the vegetable including roasting, pureeing and even in spicy Thai-style curries,'' says Asda's spokeswoman.

The Snowman is grown near Wisbech, on the Cambridgeshire-Norfolk border and will be on

sale from mid September.

Savings plan

Consumers are taking advantage of rising interest rates by increasing the amount they save. People plan to set aside an average of (pounds) 105 a month during the third quarter of the year, nearly 20% more than the (pounds) 88 they planned to save during the previous three months.

Overall, people are saving

an average of 29% of their monthly disposable income,

with men putting aside (pounds) 111, compared with women's (pounds) 98.