1st July

[MarkG.]

Who like me can`t wait for the smoking ban to be introduced on the 1st July 2007. Smoking has been a blight on on life since my son was born. He has Cardiac problems and we have never been able to take him to any place`s where smoking is permitted, not that I would have even before he was born.

Smoking is a disgusting habit and restaurants etc have not catered for none smokers at all. They say they have no smoking areas, a few signs on the adjacent tables with no ventilation.

Smokers are just Gloried Taxable Drug Addicts.

So I will be throwing a party.... "no smoking of course"

Mark.

 

[Icemaker]

Absolutely Mark, we cant wait, it will be one of the best laws ever introduced as far as im concerned. most smokers regardles of how nice a person they are without the cigarette become extremely selfish and self centered when it comes to the time for a "fix" and restrictions should be in place to protect the innocent from this filth.

We have just returned from a large comercial site in wales for the weekend which has a club able to hold around 500, the club was full all night and not one smoker was seen within, but the best bit was in the morning when we woke up and none of our clothes or the van had that awfull discusting stench of smoke on them.

Another problem for me due to my job is when the passengers get off the train and have the cigarette ready to light just as theire first foot hits the platform and i have to endure clouds of noxious gas untill i leave the station. Well good news for all non smokers, Every single train operater in the country have got together and decided that the smoking ban will apply to ALL stations whether covered or not and a railway bi-law has been passed to enforce this by law. july 1st can't come soon enough for me.

 

[rh010a2370]

Hi Mark.

Sorry to hear that your son has Heart Problem.

I take it your son was born with Heart problems, and smoking was not the cause of his heart problem.

Plus by the sound of it your a very anti smoker person anyway, You say you can't take your son out any place where smoking is permitted, I find this hard to believe as a lot restaurants,pub,shops and a lot of other place's did not allow you to smoke on their premises for years well before the smoking in public place's ban comes in to force.

The next time you attend the Hospital with your son, Please ask the doctor about if car exhaust fumes can be more harmful to your son condition than second hand smoking, ( Remembering you do not allow anyone to smoke near him or you don't go any place where smoking is permitted ).

Please think about this the next time you are travelling in car,or your are going on holiday in your car with your caravan on the motorway and your are stuck in a traffic jam, think of the amount of carbon monoxide your son is berthing in, and how harmful this is to him.

So just don't blame the smokers.

I live in Scotland where the smoking ban has been enforced for over a year now, it seems to working fine here with people getting used to where you are aloud to smoke and where you are not.

But I don't think the smoking ban will work in England, the reason I say this is, if you look at all the country's that it is working in, I.E: Ireland,Scotland, these two country's have small population compared with the country's that it is not working in, with like's of Italy,France, Germany,Spain, where the populations is far greater.

Now being a smoker myself, the ban did not bother me as much as other people, in fact it has encourage me to try cut down and eventual give up smoking, I don't smoke in my car plus i won't let anyone smoke in my caravan, but then again that's my choice, and if i go some where, i don't mind having to smoking outside.

Robert.

 

[Damian]

I am a smoker, albeit a light one, but also cannot wait for the ban to come into force, as when we go out, I hate to eat and have the smell of tobacco smoke spoiling the taste of the food which I am paying for.

I think the ban will not have any great effect in most places, as most smokers do not smoke inside buildings anyway, and those who feel they "have"to smoke, will just go outside, which in my area, a lot of the pubs and restaurants are already having covered patio areas set up to cater for the people who like to have a cigarette after a meal.

The big problem, as far as I can make out is actually one which will affect every tax payer.

If all the smokers gave up, and considering that they pay far much more tax than they "get back" with medical treatment, the revenue the Government collects will drop considerably, and they will have to get that shortfall from somewhere,,,,,,guess where!!, so whilst anti smokers will be rejoicing in the new law, and giving a big "Thumbs UP" to even more state intervention in peoples personal lives , I hope they , along with everyone else, dont mind paying extra for more things to make up the tax deficit.

Now,moving on,,,,what will be the next easiest thing to tax more,,and get from most people,how about Fuel? Booze (which is responsible for more misery than anyone smoking), and oh yes,lets think up a new tax on Caravans,they are much more popular now, and are a "blight" on the landscape and clog the roads, as we all know, so lets make them pay!!!

Think about it.

 

[Alan Partridge]

I don't like smoking either, and wish smokers were more considerate - but frankly I'd rather all this persecution stopped. Would the government be doing this if a majority were smokers? It's a nice trick for a government wanting to stay popular to demonise successive minorities - (hunting, 4x4s anybody?) and bash them. Caravans are probably somewhere near the top of the list.

Live and let live was always a good motto.

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

I quite agree with the anti smoking sentiments. I was a heavy smoker until about 20 years ago (nothing worse than a former addict)

A couple of points that I have found in Wales since the ban came in.

1. Local club that used to be full on Saturday night is now almost empty. Is this because of the ban - who knows!

2. Most pubs now have an area outside for the punters to drink and smoke. It seems that the old system of not being allowed to take your drink outside to the pavement has gone by the board. I just wonder what will happen in the winter

3. Most Pubs are putting up gas patio heaters, what is this doing to the atmosphere? Perhaps us 4X4 owners should form a boycott group against this anti-social behaviour

 

[Marc1]

As a non smoker I will be Happy happy to see the ban brought in, however if this goverment was really interested in the health of the nation they should bring in a total ban on tobbacco. This of course will never happen as they gain far too much in both tax and duty to put your health first.

Marc

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi all

I am a smoker and have been for 40years and will not be giving up the weed because I like it.

I have no health problems at all apart from occasional haemorrhoids which are a pain in the bum, and have not seen a jp in 10 years and have not lost a days work through illnes since before tony came to the throne and thats depite being down the pit for 20 odd years earlier in my life.

I am fuming at the ban and think I will probably ignore it every opportunity I get, I now drive for a living and have been instructed that from 1st of july cannot smoke in the cab as it is a place of work, even though I am on my own, (as carrying passengers is not allowed) and are out on the road 8 hrs a day.

a smoking ban in clubs pubs and restraunts does not bother me as I am teetotal and dont go in them anyway and when visting cafes and restraunts usually sit outside anyway.

I do however hate drunks and people stupid and aggressive with drink (now theres a ban worth having) and will be clapping hands when it comes in (your next)go to any casualty dept on fri/sat night and see for yourself its full of smokers who have been fighting or falling over after cosumming too much nicotine?.

as the famous quote goes first they came for the jews but I as not a jew ect.ect.so learn and be warned!!!! as for me I will be breaking the law on the 1st, when I light up, in my cab, on me own, on the road,and sod em all!!!.

 

[harry_374244037]

Nice one Colin !! ... good to hear someone sticking up for us , quite frankly i get totally p***ed of with these anti smoking brigade preaching the gospel ... they never thought of that years ago, only since the passive smoking lark was highlighted.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

quite right harry

if people are so anti smoke why go where it is, stay away thats the short answer.

I read a article in my local paper on this very subject a couple of weeks ago and one person interviewed said they welcomed the ban as all the smoke had a detrimental effect on there chidrens health when visiting there local pub WHAT KIDS IN A PUB.

why take them there in the first place, and why is it that the anti smoking lobby talk about freedom of choice but only consider there freedom.

before I got my present job I worked in a large factory in the 200 seater canteen there was a very small smoke room off to one side with 4 tables and twenty chairs at break times the canteen was empty but the smoke room was crammed full like a tin of sardines, standing room only looked like a opium den from the outside and yet 50% of the staff in there did not smoke at all,?? they went in there because the company was better and did not mind the smoke at all.

when the canteen was decorated the smoke room was closed down and transfered to a shelter in the yard with no heating and open on two sides, but guess what the canteen was still empty and where was all the staff, yep in the shelter in coats in january.

 

[Geordie]

Well its been in operation up here for over a year now and in my town we've had two pubs and a bingo hall close so far because of lack of punters.

 

[rh010a2370]

Colin from Yorkshire.

As a smoker and I agree with some of the things you say.

But I don't think you will be lighting up in your cab when no ones there, ( Their is always someone watching you ) I don't know if your local council will agree with you or not, that's if they are the one's who issued you with your taxi licence, I know in Scotland that some local councils will take your taxi badge or licence off you if you get caught smoking in your cab, remembering your their to provide a service to the public and all it will take is a member of public or council official to see you and that's where the fun begin, you'll end up with a fine and the possibility of losing your cab licence, so think on, you have a lot more to lose, it's not worth it, ( Don't Give The Blue Rinse Anti Smoking Brigade The Satisfaction Of " I Told You So " ).

The Blue Rinse Anti Smoking Brigade will be out in force watching the smoker to see if they are smoking in places they should not be smoking under the new smoking in public places act, and you better believe they will be reporting people and even trying to get people sacked from their job's, or even trying to get some places closed down because their not adhering to the new smoking in public act, as this has happened in some places in Scotland, My local council have even started to give out

 

[Steve L]

Im a non-smoker who currently has to travel in a car with three smokers who should have chimnies on their heads. It's nothing for them to spark up every half hour simutainiously!!!

Then one of them has the audacity to complain if I have the window open!!

Forget the old "I hate people who smoke while I'm eating, how the Bloody hell can anyone say they enjoy a *** after a realy good meal?

I'd much rather savor the taste of a juicey steak than have my taste buds wrecked by a ***.

Another observation I have noted is that smokers always have to light up before they go into a meeting or conflictive situations. why? Looks to me like they need that "moral support".

I certainly don't need to show bravado, I can stand up for me quite well enough without the crutch of a ***.

Roll on July bring the ban on!!

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi TreborDee

I am not a taxi driver,?? would not want to be one as I could not face spending sunday mornings cleaning the sick up off the back seat and floor?,

no thanks. I do mulidrop deliveries to commercial customers in a 7.5ton lorry, I will smoke if I want to and the blue rinse brigade can go to hell.

as for dropping cig ends on the floor that has been in force for sometime locally and people have been fined for dropping any kid of litter on the pavment remember the case of the toddler and the crisps shown nationally.( funny how the streets are still full of chewing gum though??).

steve in leo

if it is not a a commertial vehicle you travel in they will still be able to smoke, also smokers have a cig before going into or comming out of some where so what,never had a quick drink yourself in a similar situation or had a couple of pints to help the curry go down??.of course not.

a mate of mine runs a pub and he is considering his situation after the ban he has been told by the council that he personaly cannot smoke in his own pub even after closing time and the monthly poker tournament he holds (outside pub hours) must be smoke free or held outside, but if he turned it into a private hotel the ban would not apply if using a then private room and not the bar.

also it is funny how the ban is going to be enforced because I have read the very people who brought it in ie: MPs wil still be able to smoke in the bar at westminster and the private gentlemans clubs are also going to be exempt funny that isn't it pass a law them make your self exempt. mmmm

bye for now

colin

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Colin (Yorkshire) In Wales private gentlemen's clubs are not exempt from the smoking ban. I belong to one such club in Port Talbot and in the entrance porch, hall, bar, dining room, etc. there are signs posted banning the smoking in the building and the consequences if caught. Incidentally the notices in Wales must be in both English & Welsh which to me is a total waste of money as 99.999999% of the Welsh can speak and understand English.

 

[Surfer]

The ban doesn't bother me either way but what annoys me is people who throw their cigarettes butts on the ground. Don't they realise that they are basically tipping riubbish illegally and on this I am sure a few smokers will agree!

 

[CRUSADER2801]

The ban introduced in Scotland last year is about the only thing the Scottish Parliment has done of any use (Only my opinion and I suspect this is not going to change in the short term).

Although not a smoker many of my immediate family and friends are, and I am not against smoking in general - simply that I do not see why I should have to suffer due to their personal choice.

The comparison to alcohol abuse is unfair in that it is the minority that cause the problems detailed above. The vast majority who are responsible individuals can enjoy an alcoholic drink in the same vacinity as someone who is teetotal without any encroachment on their enjoyment - the same cannot be said if someone lights up a cigarette in the vacinity of a non-smoker.

I do agree with Colin (Yorkshire) that more needs to be done to tackle the minority of drunk and abusive individuals who create havoc on Friday and Saturday nights, particularly in large towns and cities throughout the UK.

Although, feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but Colin did you not agree in a recent forum discussion that the use of mobile phones whilst driving was unsafe and dangerous? Surely the same rationale applies to smoking as in lighting up and smoking you are not giving full concentration to the task in hand - particularly in a 7.5 ton truck.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

SPG I think you will find it was I who agreed the use of mobile phones whilst driving was unsafe. I also commented on the use of satnav. with the screen version being a dangerous distraction. Sorry sir to correct you on this minor point.

 

[CRUSADER2801]

Thanks Colin - happy to stand corrected.

 

[Icemaker]

Colin yorkshire, The ban includes All vehicles that belong to a company whether they be taxed as commercial or plg, this includes all vans and cars no exception.

the only vehicles where smoking is now allowed are privately owned ones and even these are included in the ban if they are being used on company buisness.

See http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/what-do-i-do/quick-guide.html

I wonder what your boss will think of your attitude to the law considering you are putting him in line for a large fine if you get caught smoking in the cab ?.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

The smoking isn't too bad - its when they burst into flame it gets a bit worrying. Surely what one does within their own confines is up to the individual as long as they are not causing harm to others. On saying this I do not condone smoking and would be glad to see it totally banned as it is harmful to health and a total waste of money, but if someone is willing to put just their life at risk so be it.

 

[benny1]

acording to the guv web site you can smoke in youre cab as long as your the only person in there but if you carry a pasanger even if he smokes you are not alowed to smoke

 

[Icemaker]

Benny,the government web site states vehicles that are "used" by more than one person, so unless the vehicle is absolutely never going to be used by anyone other than yourself then you can not smoke in it.

below is the basics copied from the gov site,

Key points are:

From 1 July 2007 it will be against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces. See below for definitions.

Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person will also need to be smokefree.

No-smoking signs will have to be displayed in all smokefree premises and vehicles.

Staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking areas will no longer be allowed, so anyone who wants to smoke will have to go outside.

Managers of smokefree premises and vehicles will have legal responsibilities to prevent people from smoking.

If you are uncertain where you can or can't smoke, just look for the no-smoking signs or ask someone in charge.

Penalties and fines for breaking the smokefree law

If you don't comply with the new smokefree law, you will be committing a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are:

Smoking in smokefree premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of

 

[giovanni_5060838]

I do not smoke.

I also do not see how any agency is going to enforce this

on drivers.

really, what are they going to do? pull over 10,000 lorries

on the M1? on the off chance that the vehicle is shared?

The driver only has to say he is the only driver which is

normally true.

Also a police car asked u to pull in, unless they have photo

evidence of smoke how are they going to nick you if you denigh

it...

I already know of 20 hgv drivers who have bought those toy

fags that glow.. just incase.........

Hopefully non of those who have been critical of smokers,

belong to the mobile in hand brigade drivers..... or is that

not as bad!!!!!!!!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

I was following a young female 2 days ago who was dawdling along at 20mph. At some lights when they changed to green she just sat there. I said to my wife I'm sure she's reading a map because her head was bowed down. Going across a river bridge she almost drove onto the pavement. At the next set of lights I pulled alongside and my wife said to look at what she was doing. She had her phone either wedged between the spokes of her steering wheel or velcroed on and was sat there texting. I could have been a police car for all she knew, she never even took her eyes off the phone. The fines are a joke and until they hit the idiots with a