Smoking Ban: England Is Now Officially A Smoke-Free Zone
Filed under: News | By: Kerry
Posted on: July 1, 2007 | 9 Comments
England is now officially a smoke-free zone after the introduction of a ban making it illegal to light up in enclosed public places came into force at 6am
This English ban means smoking in enclosed public places such as pubs will now be banned across the entire United Kingdom.
England is the final part of the UK to introduce a ban, after Wales and Northern Ireland in April and Scotland last March. The Republic of Ireland made the move three years ago.
Some parts of Canada and a number of U.S. states have had strict controls on smoking for years.
The legislation is designed to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke at work, which doctor’s estimate kills more than 600 people a year.
Owners and managers of pubs, clubs and cafes are legally bound to enforce the ban and will face fines of up to £2,500 if they fail to do so.
Anyone caught smoking illegally will be given a fixed penalty notice of £50 that will be reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days or will be fined up to £200 if they are prosecuted and convicted by a court.
Newly appointed Health Secretary Alan Johnson hailed the ban as a big step towards a healthier population.
Mr Johnson said: “Only by tackling the causes of illnesses will we be able to improve health inequalities and save lives.”
One of the world’s leading experts on the effect of tobacco has estimated the ban could prevent up to half a million deaths a year.
Professor Sir Richard Peto made the forecast based on the experience of the Republic of Ireland, where cigarette sales fell by around 17% after its ban.
A similar trend in England could lead to 1.5 million people quitting smoking, he said.
What do you think of the smoking ban?
Do you think it will help people give up?
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Smokers Unite! Stay home and put your money in the bank! That’ll teach ‘em!
On no account should a total smoking ban be allowed ! That is pure fascism, those who are trying to enforce it are pure fascists, and as such are dangerous and should be fought tooth and nail as any dangerous fascist should.
The solution to the smoking/non-smoking problem is to have separate areas. That works perfectly well and there is no valid reason to change it. There is a lot of medical propaganda about smoking that is unproven or false, notably on the subject of passive smoking.
It is pure humbug. The rights of smokers are just as important as those of non-smokers and let no-one say otherwise. Hitler singled out the Jews in the 1930’s just like people are singling out smokers now. It is very very dangerous and these people must not be allowed to get away with this, if only because it is an open door to other things ………alcohol, fatty foods, car exhaust fumes etc etc. Rail Travel is dangerous, air travel, cars on the road.
You could argue that anything is dangerous and that it should be banned. The argument just doesn’t make sense. I have not one iota of doubt in my mind that these would-be banners are wrong and they must be stopped.
The other thing, the most hypocritical thing of all, is that if cigarettes were really as dangerous as they would have us believe, then their sale would be banned, wouldn’t it ? Ah yes, but there is too much money involved. Cannabis, which is not dangerous at all, is banned ? Why? No-one knows, but it does containes less dangerous products than tobacco.
All this goes to prove that the government are a load of hyprocrites and should in no case be listened to. It’s time the public stood up to these people who really take them for a bunch of idiots.
It’s about time, not that im included but the majority of pople who felt isolated by others smoking will now be able to come out more without the fear of smelling like an ashtray, and end of the day smokers are still catered for so technically this should see an increase in pub revenue, common sense really.
all hail the ban!
Ok Ok yes i agree that if people do not smoke they should not have to endure inhaling our smoke, so why dont they open places for them to go, so the non smokers get a life of luxury and special treatment whereas us smokers have to go without, so why have they not banned drinking alcohol on planes, i do not wish to smell there shitty alcohol on me. We smokers always get the bad end of the deal.So now what will happen is your in a nightclub and you need a smoke as so do the other 20 percent from that same club, so they go out side. All these people are outside having a smoke will surely piss them off and when you are pissed off and drinking fights break out. Stuff the Goverment they all talk out of their arses. Oh just one thing have you noticed every single person in parliment are damn ugly… If you cam find one good looking one show me.
The government has gone overboard with the amount of control they want over the public. I agree that non-smokers should not be exposed to 2nd hand smoke and therefore, smoking in certain public places should be banned - even on the street but indtead of treating the people of Britain like children, certain venues should have this law enforced only by the discretion of the landlord/lady. If a pub or club wishes to remain as a smoking venue, people who wish to not enter the venue have that choice. We aren’t children. Could you imagine trying to introduce this law 50 years ago? They would have run riot!
England is NOT smoke free - You can smoke if you are in jail!
You can smoke in the house of Commons/Lords
You can smoke outside!
I don’t know for how long? At least until the MINORITY make the MAJORITY of noise to get it banned!!
I,m a smoker myself, I agree with the no smoking ban, but the only thing that piss me of is the fact that the groverment, carry on letting fags go on sale, i wish they would just stop selling them, i fore one would love that, its the only people will stop
I don’t mind other people’s smoke. I would like to be protected against second-hand stress at work.
What a load of rubbish! I do not smoke many but I smoke. In theory, I agree with the ban - people will not quit unless there it is not as easy to smoke - what annoys me is that this shall be MY choice and nobody else’s! Also, England is NOT smoke FREE - it simply has restrictions in place - get it right! If it WERE smoke-free we would have no chimmneys, cars, buses, planes or any other flammable substances!