Is this the thin end of the wedge?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph....ll-public-places.html

So one council is considering banning smoking in all public places, is this one more measure to control our freedom of choice?

I am not a smoker myself but I find it rather strange that a ban such as this can be placed on an act that is not in itself illegal.

/// Stony Stratford Councillor Paul Bartlett, who is leading the campaign, said: "When you walk through the high street in any town, smoke is in your face and harming you and any children there. ///

If this is so, why is Councillor Bartlett also not leading a campaign to ban the internal combustion engine from the high street, after all isn't that the largest pollutant on our streets?

Councillor Bartlett also stated:

/// "Smokers then get their butt, which is full of saliva, and chuck it on the floor. It costs millions to clear street rubbish.” ///

There is already anti-litter laws in force which covers all forms of litter, cigarette buts are the least form of litter.

As regards the amount of germ carrying saliva they contain, shouldn't the filthy habits of spitting and also the spitting out chewing gum, be of more concern?

[McMouse]

<a ban such as this can be placed on an act that is not in itself illegal. >>
Sexual intercourse between consenting adults is still legal, but is not recommended in the bus queue.

[rockyracoon]

How many pubs are in that area? anyone stepping out for a fag would fall foul of this draconian BS, pubs are already struggling. I hate smoking but I think it's a step too far.

[Gromit]

It is an activity that causes discomfort and annoyance to others. Just because it has happened for centuries does not mean it should continue. Queen Victoria banned smoking at Windsor Castle in the 1880s.

Sounds appealing, but I imagine it would be difficult to enforce.

[dave50]

As usual it's local councils doing what they love best, bossing people around. To say that someone smoking in the open air is a health risk to passers by is ridiculous. The amount of tax smokers pay far outweighs the cost to the NHS of treating them so let them get on with it and dont discourage it, it benefits everyone.

[Brenden]

Who gives this little jobs-worth the right to ban smoking in open spaces, has anybody told him we have a government to pass laws.

[tamborine]

Since when did the council own the air that we breathe

[tamborine]

:(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7S8-Iewi0

[anotheoldgit]

Good point McMouse, it could put an all different meaning to the saying, " you can wait for ages for one, and then two come along together".

[dzug2]

<,Who gives this little jobs-worth the right to ban smoking in open spaces, has anybody told him we have a government to pass laws. >>

He's an ELECTED councillor. He's part of the government. I don't think he needs telling that.

[samak]

First they told smokers not to smoke in the office, go outside instead.
Then they told smokers not to smoke in restaurants, go outside instead.
Then they told smokers not to smoke in pubs, go outside instead.

Now they are all doing what they were told to do by smoking outside and people are complaining.

What The Funicular ????????????

[Brenden]

Local government not Central government.

[AB Editor]

I think McMouse is on to something. "Not Smoking In Queues" would be better. It's just a proximity issue really. Otherwise it feels like an unnecessary encroachment on the rights of an individual to slowly murder themselves in public.

Spare.

[rojash]

Perhaps someone on here can explain something that has been puzzling me since I last visited the UK. I was staying in the Richmond/Twickenham area, and just about every pub and restaurant had an enormous heated outdoor area so that people could eat smoke and drink in comfort. They (obviously) also had indoor seating areas but these were invariably almost empty. So what I'd like to know is: Where are all the people who insisted that smoking had to be banned inside? Why aren't they inside enjoying the smoke-free zones that they insisted were essential for their wellbeing?

[Ankou]

"Where are all the people who insisted that smoking had to be banned inside?"

working happily behind the bar or waiting on tables in the restaurant, knowing that they won't be plagued or killed off by the incosiderate puffers or end up stinking of old fag at the end of their shift or in the moring.

[CanisMajor]

"Is this the thin end of the wedge" - Let's hope so, the sooner this odd habit is consigned to history the better.

[bazwillrun]

Its another example of the petty little hitlerishe bureaurocrats that run our councils.

The amount of cigarette smoke that people breathe in walking down just about any town/city road is virtually nil compared to the amount of dust and traffic fumes.

I dont smoke and if people want to smoke outdoors then let them, I cant even recall the last time i walked down a street and was even aware of any cigarette smoke.

this type of smoke in open air dssipates very quickly and usually upwards because its very light compared to say diesel fumes that are heavy and hand around.

These little twerps forget that they are called civil servants for a reason, they are supposed to serve us, the sooner they are kicked back into line and made to understand this the better.

Let the people of his little empire vote on the matter, even better vot him out at the earliest possible occasion.

[CanisMajor]

I don't care how "harmless" it is, it's the awful smell!

[Brenden]

So is alcohol and garlic, but i would not ban them