Why Is There A Lot Of Moaning That This Is Unnecessary....?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26133374
This and all previous bans are necessary because of the selfishness of smokers. If they had an ounce of empathy with non smokers all the pub bans and of course this latest one would not be necessary. This has only come in because we cannot rely on smokers not to gas their own children in the car!

[razza]

Well said,I am a smoker but have never put anyone in danger of it,my domain is my back garden,I dont even smoke in the street.

[ToraToraTora]

you are a rare beast razza!

[Baldric]

Smokers, they're a Dying Breed aren't they?

[ludwig]

The complaint seems to be that the government is intruding into a private space to tell you what you can and can't do there, and it crosses some sort of line. Seeing as it's already illegal to abuse your kids in other ways in the car or the privacy of your home, there's no such line to cross, so I don't know what the fuss is about.

I doubt there'll be many prosecutions, but as someone says in the link, if it makes people think twice about lighting up with a child in the car, then it's worth doing.

[boxtops]

I remember the days when I used to have to work in a smoke-filled office, it was vile, and in those days the smokers didn't realise how unpleasant it was for non-smokers. As an adult I'd prefer not to be in the car with a smoker, too :-(

[DrFilth]

can you get round it by putting the kids in the boot

[Baldric]

You must wear a seatbelt!
You mustn't use a 'phone!

Seems they're already in your car.

[boxtops]

Phones are for other drivers' safety, though, baldric - the bloke in front of me on the phone yesterday was all over the road. This is about passengers.

[wiltsman]

Surely, with all the evidence about the dangers of smoking, there can't be anyone in this country who would be so stupid to smoke in a car when they have children on board?

I think this law is years overdue, but like the ban on mobiles being used in vehicles, how will it be policed?

[mikey4444]

Baldric...Smokers are far from a dying breed. As fast as the tobacco companies can kill them off, they are recruiting new smokers, almost all of them children.

Its not often that TTT and I agree but we appear to be singing from the same hymn sheet here. If we didn't have the laws on smoking we have now, every cafe, and Pub in the country would stink of cigarette smoke and all the tables would be covered in a fine film of fag ash, not to mention all the over flowing ash trays. It only takes one smoker to muck it up for everybody. I don't remember any smoker "stepping outside" to have a fag before the smoking in public places came into force. They just stayed in the Pub and blew smoke over everybody else.

On the question of children in cars, we also had to enact legislation that forced so-called caring adults into making sure that their kids are in safety seats or used seat belts. If that law hadn't been enacted, there would be 10,000's or more children at risk. Perhaps its the same stupid adults that this new law, if passed, will be aimed at, as the ones that are now forced to make sure that their kids are strapped in properly ?

I am old enough to remember when Barbara Castle brought in the breathalyzer in 1967. We heard the same libertarian whinges and moans back then. People complained that it was their right to drink 5 pints and then drive home. Nobody would dream of arguing against that now, but they did back then. The moaners need to realise that you don't give freedom to one set of people, by taking it away from other people.

[mikey4444]

Wiltsman...by the same people that police all our other driving laws, ie The Police.

[DrFilth]

mikey >
If we didn't have the laws on smoking we have now, every cafe, and Pub in the country would stink of cigarette smoke and all the tables would be covered in a fine film of fag ash, not to mention all the over flowing ash trays. It only takes one smoker to muck it up for everybody. I don't remember any smoker "stepping outside" to have a fag before the smoking in public places came into force. They just stayed in the Pub and blew smoke over everybody else. <

i remember reading on here how when the smoking ban comes in the pubs will be full of non smokers

still waiting

[Old_Jim]

Nobody wants to change their habits. Even less do they want government to tell them to change their habits. The usual argument is (insert antisocial behaviour inflicted) and it didn't do me any harm.

Being in a car where someone smokes tobacco can damage the lungs and immune systems of young children. So can being in a house where someone smokes tobacco. Perhaps we could solve the problem by adding a contraceptive drug to all tobacco products.

[bhg481]

Mikey - I think you missed the subtle play on words by Baldric (smoking kills...).

[mikey4444]

Well, I am a non-smoker and I certainly visit Pubs more often since the smoking ban. It was one of my pet hates. Even worse were the cafes in my area of working class South Wales. You would be sitting at your table having breakfast and somebody just a few feet away would be puffing away.

A lot of smokers are reasonable people and would not want to inconvenience others. But laws are always aimed at the minorities who are inconsiderate. I will predict that in just a few years time, the majority of people will look upon all the fuss over smoking-related issues with amazement.

Who would defend drink-drivers now, for instance ?

[mikey4444]

bhg481...I didn't miss Baldrics subtle play on words and I am indebted to him for injecting a note of humour into this debate !

[mikey4444]

Dr Filth...further to your point, my local Wetherspoons is full every night of the week, and the vast majority of patrons don't appear to smoke. This chain always had a don't-smoke-at-the-counter policy, way before the smoking ban.

If only all Pubs could be run as well as Wetherspoons !

[Prudie]

Pointless law, those who still smoke with children in the car will continue to do so. I daresay they'll catch a few but it won't make any difference - same as the mobiles we all see drivers using every single day.

[DrFilth]

mikey the way pubs are shutting down that will soon be your only option

[youngmafbog]

//If only all Pubs could be run as well as Wetherspoons ! //

What, you mean nice family atmosphere by day brawling animals on cheap booze by night ;-)

My local boozer has far more people in it than it used to, it's down to fine ales and a pleasant atmosphere (plus enough bar staff so you dont have to wait too long). Mine is a 'chimneys' pub so has no passing trade, it's all locals. Some smoke and there are some inconsiderate that still smoke by the door but most dont seem to or are considerate to others.

I really dont think smoking should be allowed by drivers in cars full stop, after all you cant use a phone drink or eat as it would distract. So what does a cigarette do, especially when you miss the window and hot ash goes all over you (or the dog end comes back in)