Smoking Ban in England (2007)

[Loopz]

I think most of heard the news about the smoking ban in all England's pubs and clubs from Summer 2007.

I think we have a mixture of smokers, non-smokers, part-time smokers and X-smokers on the forum. Be interesting to see what people think of the new law.

I personally think it’s a move in the right direction. I had no real problem with people smoking in pubs etc until i started attending those fun wacky warehouse parties. Once the children have ran riot in one of those then they usually go into the main pub for their dinner/lunch. That’s when you realise how smokey pubs are.

They banned smoking at my work place many years ago and they actually built a "bus shelter" outside to allow people to smoke and not get wet There was a lot of moaning to begin with but no one says a word now. Its now just part of the daily routine:)

Also one of the venues that we did Brum Creative nights is totally smoke free. It’s called the Theatre Place and is part of the Custard Factory. We thought it would be a nightmare but it surprising how easily people (including the totally sh*tfaced ones) can just take onboard a non-smoking sign. Although we did catch one fellow-Birmingham music organise smoking pot in the dressing room ... but that’s another story

[memly]

Ultimately its the right thing to do, but being a smoker this legislation will alienate me even more ("Give up" I hear you cry...."Piss off and mind your own business" will be my retort).


I'm not a huge pub person anyway so I dont think it will affect me as much as other smokers who frequent pubs on a regular basis.

[Loopz]

Its difficuly memly because i can see both sides of the story. I'm fortunate to understand how social smoking is and social being a pub is. They go well together etc etc but i would hate any of my young relatives to be affected by smoking in family establishments. Although people could say dont take them there then. Who else is going to play in the soft play then

[usernick]

It's not just pubs, though, it's *all* public places...

[Loopz]

its not quite that...

its "all English pubs, clubs and private members' establishments"

[usernick]

its not quite that...

its "all English pubs, clubs and private members' establishments"

"Where will smoking be banned?

Smoking in all public places like pubs, cinemas, offices, factories, public transport and so on will be banned.

Where will you be able to smoke?

People will still be able to smoke outdoors, and in private homes, plus places that Ms Hewitt says are "like homes", such as care institutions, army barracks, and prisons. "

So, everywhere apart from homes, care institutions, army barracks and prisons - that includes venues (gigs), night clubs, restaurants, railway stations, etc.

[Loopz]

i think the word ALL is the problem. Where is this information from ? Sounds like it was written by an upset smoker

[usernick]

i think the word ALL is the problem. Where is this information from ? Sounds like it was written by an upset smoker

BBC News!

The word ALL obviously doesn't cover prisons, and other places "like homes"... Apart from that...

[Loopz]

The actual official statement is "The British parliament approved a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces in England". Just enclosed then...not all. You will be all right at the big chill

[usernick]

The actual official statement is "The British parliament approved a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces in England". Just enclosed then...not all. You will be all right at the big chill

Oh yeah, outside is fine, just anywhere indoors (unless you go to prison)!

[Loopz]

enclosed and public. I'd imagine they will get around it for private parties etc. I think its a good move

[Acid Gaz]

I'm a non-smoker (with the exception of herbal) but don't really have a problem with smokers, except in restaurants where smoke is making the meal unenjoyable.

There is a potential bad by-product of the ban, which is that the 'pub-smokers' may return to their homes to smoke which could have an even worse effect on passive smokers at home, especially children.

Does anyone know why the ban is not effective until 2007? I thought the Irish implemented their ban much more quickly, although I stand to be corrected on this.

[Loopz]

yeah i was asking the same question. why so long. One theory from someone who i work with is that its a lot easier to enforce smoking outside in the summer rather than the winter.

[stargurl]

I find it interesting that your ban is coming into effect so quickly.

We've had different pieces of anti-smoking legislation come into effect over the years, and the last major piece comes into effect later this year.

It's been over a decade, though, since smoking's been banned province-wide in almost all workplaces and public places. It's been a few years now, I think, since restaurants became 100% smoke free, and the only smoking in bars, clubs, pubs, etc. was restricted to designated and enclosed smoking rooms (but even these must be removed later this year) or outside on patios.

It's been a bit different here, though, because each province has set their own anti-smoking laws. Also, here in Ontario, the cities were given the power to set their own anti-smoking bylaws, so there are already cities with complete bans on smoking in public places, and some cities where the ban isn't complete yet.

To force a complete ban by 2007 seems quite... quick.

[RickySteamBoat]

The smoking ban came in over here in Ireland about 2 maybe 3 years ago. And was implemented relativly quickly to the applause of the Irish Cancer Society.
As a non smoker I think its one of the best things this country has implemented in a very long time. I was also surpised with how quickly smokers took to the ban. It really is no problem....if ya wanna have a ciggy, just go outside and your pint will be waiting for you when you come back. My local pub has terrible ventilation, so by the the time you'd make it down on a friday or saturday night, there would be a nasty haze of cigarette smoke in the air, it'd be really stuffy and condusive to eye irritation. On the flip side of that... what i found is that a smoking counter-culture has formed where you'll probabally find that there is a more sociable athmosphere out in the smoking area than in the actual pub. Theres been loads of times i'd actually bum a smoke of a friend with the sole intention of trying to pull in the smoking area....but then again i am quite pathetic that way.


ricky