Are smokers the new "Lepers"?

[Loosehead]

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?th readID=5547&&&edition=1&ttl=20070215134849

[naomi24]

Worse than that! Even muggers get off with a caution!

[Grunty]

There is no point in having a law if it is not going to be enforced. This is the reason for cycles without lights, parking on footpaths, spitting everywhere etc. According to the surveys I've seen, most people want smoking banned. (Incidentally the ban was first proposed by King James I). Muggers getting off with a caution is a different matter; don't let me get started on that.

[dusty1]

I feel sorry for smokers, I gave up about 15yrs ago but I think no smoking in public places is ridiculas, ie: why cann't pubs have a room just for smokers I can.not see any harm in that. infact if I had a pub when the new law comes in I would invite my regular smoking customers into my living room let them smoke in there the stupid law could not touch them then, and I would not lose customers

[naomi24]

The aspect I find most worrying is the fact that the law is going to be 'policed' by council workers paid to go 'under-cover' (so the papers tell us) into pubs and restaurants to catch smokers at it and given the authority to slap a �50 fine on offenders. Is Big Brother upon us? But that's another question!

[ludwig]

Yes, they're currently the section of society that it's ok to bully. When their numbers have reduced so much that's it's no longer fun, that's when we'll turn on the fat people.
We'll have hidden surveillance on fatties to see if they're sneaking any crafty burgers or donuts. If caught they'll be refused healthcare.

[anotheoldgit]

They can pay councils to employ under-cover officials, with the power to slap a �50 fine on smokers who violate the no smoking law, and yet every weekend we see binge drinkers , fouling the pavements and doorways with the contents of their stomachs and bladders but no one to slap a fine on them. Underage drinkers on our streets but no one to slap a fine on them. Vandals who wreak the children's swings and roundabouts on our parks but no one to slap a fine on them.
People who spit, drop litter, and foul our walkways with their used chewing gum but no one to slap a fine on them.

First it was the Motorists and now the Smokers (all easy targets). Who will be next to be hounded by the State's Gestapo. Perhaps those females who lash on those very heavy and obnoxious perfumes, that we men are forced to inhale at various evening functions.

Incidently I am a none smoker, but I will defend smokers to the hilt, to continue and enjoy their tobacco products, until the politicians have the guts to make tobacco illegal.

Ps.
Bet it won't be illegal to smoke in the bar at Westminster.

[sandyg2244]

when the ban was enforced in Scotland, apparently the MSPs still had a smoking room at Holyrood.

[naomi24]

Oldgit, There's no way they'll make tobacco products illegal. Gordon Brown would be crying his eyes out at the mere thought of losing all that tax! They're just jumping on the politically correct bandwagon. Double standards or what?! But then, par for the course with this government!