The oldest established family restaurant and cafe in Southend is to ban smoking from today.

Tomassi's in Southend High Street has been established for 72 years and is one of the few family-run businesses remaining in the town centre.

June Tomassi, who is in partnership with husband Tony and son Anthony, said: "We have had a successful non-smoking period at lunchtimes in our restaurants. Following this success, Tomassi's has now decided to become a completely smoke-free environment throughout."

She added it had been a difficult decision to make but the family felt in view of recent national adverse publicity about the possible health effects of passive smoking something had to be done.

Published Tuesday June 1, 2004

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