First uk Proposed Public smoking ban

[PoohBore]

Just read a story on the BBC web site that stony stratford near Milton Keynes is voting to ban smoking in public open spaces. No one in the story seems worried about civil rights of the smoker just the effect on the businesses.

and the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...herts-14174031

[M1F2R3]

They'll be charging for air next.

Thanks for posting the article, PoohBore.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Typical of anyone involved in local government - Napoleon complex strikes again...

This actually enrages me - I've been following the similar battles in New York and California thanking God that we aren't as crazy as our American cousins. There are some considerable areas of the current smoking ban that I take great exception to, but in general I can understand elements of it (I certainly don't want to eat in a smokey restaurant - I do want the opportunity to drink in a smokey pub or cigar lounge though...) However... this... this has no logical reason behind it whatsoever! If the moron's concern is really litter, then I'd be hunting down the chewing gum brigade first... Then the McDonalds crew... etc. If it is other prejudiced ideals that are leading him in this direction then he is most assuredly an idiot first class... I don't like cigarettes or cigaratte smoke, but there are a great many things that I find far more offensive in open, public places than someone having a fag!



PS. I'd be interested to know whether pub beer gardens would be considered to be covered by this bye-law (if passed). After all, the arguments put forward (a rather thin veil for the real reasons, I believe) are regarding the litter caused on the streets of whatever back-water this guy 'represents'. Surely any litter in a pub's own garden are the concern of that pub's landlord, and he alone...

[spirit_of_will]

This little spot is only up the road from me. Not been in a while, it's got two good things going for it - a decent independant walking/outdoors/climbing shop and a half decent pub...

[Agricola]

Mr Bartlett has said the town, near Milton Keynes, is "blighted by cigarette butts".

Just a crazy thought but maybe if people weren't forced to smoke outdoors they wouldn't have this problem?

[Simon-JG-hr]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Not the proposed smoking ban, but one paragraph from an old article in 'The Publican' regarding a temporary smoking ban exemption for a cigar lounge at the G20 summit a couple of years ago...

Here's the full article (click).

And here's one of the greatest paragraphs ever used when reporting on the ban:

ASH-UK were understandably spitting blood once they got wind of this betrayal. They don't care if the global economy disintegrates heralding a dark new order of anarchy, just so long as nu-world pubs ban smoking.

[snooky]

If its War they want !
I 'm playing golf this week not far from Stony Stratford at Woburn i shall be blowing smoke in thier direction.

[Gman]

Well some open air train stations “first capital connect” have banned smoking.... even if your in complete open air with no walls/roofs etc..