Campaigners have called for a ban on patio heaters, which are disastrous for the environment.
The energy inefficient heaters have become much more popular with pubs since the smoking bans came into force, forcing smokers outside in bad weather.
Half of all Scottish pubs already own them, with 40,000 English pubs expected to acquire one this year.
London mayor Ken Livingstone, Mary Rayner of Ethical Consumer magazine and the charity Friends of the Earth have all called for a ban.
The Independent 4/8/07 page 2
