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The UK Smoking ban
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:36 pm
by Kwackerz
Thought i'd post this up as I know we have more than a couple of smokers on the Site. For us smokers, it doesnt seem as bad as seems to be spoken about to be honest.
The UK smoking ban
Like it or not, smoking will be banned in all public indoor spaces in the UK by summer 2007. Different areas of the country will be affected at varying times - find out when the last fag butt will be stubbed out in a pub Small waste receptacle near you.
The UK smoking ban follows similar decisions made in several parts of Europe the USA. If you're a smoker in protest over the British ban, count your lucky stars you don't live in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, where the sale and use of tobacco is completely outlawed.
Where will smoking be banned?
Smoking in all indoor public places will be banned. Many places - such as cinemas and public transport - have rarely permitted smoking in recent years, and so it will be places like pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and private members' clubs that feel the biggest impact of the ban.
Where will you be able to smoke?
You'll still be allowed to light up outdoors, in the home or places considered to be 'homes', such as prisons, care homes and hotels.
Smoking could still be banned at certain outdoor locations that are 'substantially enclosed', such as football grounds and railway platforms. No decision has yet been made on smoking inside cars carrying passengers.
What will happen if I'm caught fag-in-hand?
If you're caught smoking in a banned area you could be fined £50.
But who's really going to care if I light up a sneaky one?
Those in charge of the premises would be fools to let you get away with it, especially considering that they could face a £2,500 fine if they fail to stop you. They could also be charged on-the-spot fines of £200 if they fail to display no-smoking signs, with the penalty increasing to £1,000 if the issue goes to court.
When will the ban come into force?
This depends on the area of the UK:
England - July 1, 2007
The initial plans for a partial ban in England were binned because Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt felt it was impractical and wouldn't offer enough protection from passive smoking for workers in places such as bars and clubs.
Scotland - March 2006
It's hoped that the ban will have a very positive impact on the Scottish nation, since smoking here is attributable to a shocking one in four of all deaths.
Wales - April 2, 2007
The UK government allowed Wales to decide on its own smoking ban, despite the fact that the Welsh Assembly isn't normally given such wide-ranging powers. Wales was actually the first part of the UK to vote for a full smoking ban.
Northern Ireland - April 30, 2007
Three years after the Republic of Ireland's total ban, Northern Ireland is following suit. No-one has a right to subject colleagues and workmates to the dangers and hazards of second-hand smoke," says its Health Minister Shaun Woodward.
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:28 pm
by Falcomille
As a reformed smoker who's got to enforce the ban... it's bad enough!
In the "village" where I live and have my business there are at least 60% of the public houses with boards outside for new leases. For urban licensees it spells disaster.
Luckily, I'm out of it later this year anyway..
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:30 pm
by Gio
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:35 pm
by Samray
As usual Nanny knows better than Darwin.
I wonder if they'll ever admit that nicotine prevents alzheimers.
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:40 pm
by Gio
Samray wrote:As usual Nanny knows better than Darwin.
I wonder if they'll ever admit that nicotine prevents alzheimers.
Well they could use patches for Altzheimers
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:42 pm
by Samray
I do ........ hasn't worked tho.
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:57 pm
by Falcomille
Talking of Darwin, I assume you've all checked the Darwin awards? Nearly wet myself reading those.
[url]http:/www.darwinawards,com[/url]
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 8:06 pm
by Samray
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:16 pm
by HowardQ
Congrats Gio, didn't know you'd managed to keep it up.
Guessed you might have when you never took me up on the offer for the duty frees I bought before packing up last September.
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:20 pm
by Gio
HowardQ wrote:
Congrats Gio, didn't know you'd managed to keep it up.
Guessed you might have when you never took me up on the offer for the duty frees I bought before packing up last September.
If you've had them that long I'd bin them, they'll be stale by now
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:59 am
by Falcopops
Ahem.
What was that in your hand when I was returning your Sat Nav then?
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:06 am
by Gio
Falcopops wrote:
Ahem.
What was that in your hand when I was returning your Sat Nav then?
A fag
But that was 2 weeks ago tomorrow. Its been 11 days now
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:11 am
by Gio
What will happen if I'm caught fag-in-hand?
If you're caught smoking in a banned area you could be fined £50.
But who's really going to care if I light up a sneaky one?
Those in charge of the premises would be fools to let you get away with it, especially considering that they could face a £2,500 fine if they fail to stop you. They could also be charged on-the-spot fines of £200 if they fail to display no-smoking signs, with the penalty increasing to £1,000 if the issue goes to court.
This is going to be the worst bit, how can you hold an establishment to fault when the people who light up should be the ones to get the hefty fine. If I was taken to court over someone who lit up knowing it broke the law I'd refuse to pay on the grounds of discrimination, the fine should be equal.
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:15 pm
by ligloo
It's been a nightmare here in Scotland, I've NEVER been to the pub just for a drink since it began, has to be out for a meal and even then I've only been twice or three times and I feel like cracking up.... my mates come here, or I go to their house... with a carry out meal and a million bottles of wine, just as much fun and saves standing outside like a happy hooker.
The pub landlords are bitching, the taxi drivers are whining to the extent its a miracle to be able to get a taxi on a sunday now (which used to be a good day out) because apparently most people think along the same lines as me. Not worth their while running them....
A brand new multi million pound bingo complex has shut down because apparently they used to make most of their profit from 'party games' being run in the intervals.... now everyone who still attends, run outside to chainsmoke AND LITTER the street with butts before the next bingo game starts. Walk along a pavement and you're dodging people standing smoking, the streets are a total mess, imagine the over flowing ashtrays at 2am in the morning?
Tis a nightmare! It hasnt stopped all but a few people smoking, if anything people smoke more in the house and a pub measure compared to a heavy handed 'home measure' hasnt done much to ensure that people drink less either.
Make of it what you will, I still say the way to go would have been to have smoking AND non smoking pubs. I await Englands transition with baited breath.... full of fag reek
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:53 pm
by lazarus
Looking forward to going to the non smoking pub.
Wont need a shower and a change of clothes when I get home, wont have smarting eyes either. Even better where food is being served - the smell of fag smoke when you're eating is no better than the smell of someone farting.
I reckon it ough to be banned in the streets too! And certainly in the same room as children.
