Smoking ban

[lnr]

Lots of people are talking about the UK plan to totally ban smoking in enclosed public places which was voted through yesterday evening. Most of my friends list who have commented seem keen, though some have reservations. I'm curious as to what those who've not said anything yet feel. Do propogate this as widely as you like. Personally I think it's a good move, though I would have been as happy with the amendment which allowed smoking in private clubs. I do think a total ban in pubs is an excellent step. And no, I don't smoke, though I have in the past been in the "Well... a bit " category. - oh yeah and just to add I am still occasionally tempted if I'm out with one of the few friends who smoke. [Poll #673518]

Comments

[lusercop.livejournal.com]

and what about this (http://syndicated.livejournal.com/lightfoot_links/179737.html)?

[lnr]

Does he really think inviting a friend into his house is inviting the public in? Or does he mean he does things like the exhibition open house thing that some of Cambridge's artists sometimes get involved in? It must be the former since he states every normal house counts - in which case I think he must be wrong, though I'd be interested to see proof.

And I don't think your house becomes someone's "place of work" just because they're fixing your phoneline. Even if it did it would presumably only apply while they were there.

[lusercop.livejournal.com]

I don't see how one differentiates where the private members club is concerned. If these rules apply to them, then they must apply to your house.

The place of work section presumably does apply if you're primarily working from home. I'm not sure about the other part.

I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know how correct he is. But if it's a possibility, and something that they're "never going to enforce", then I don't like the sound of that at all, especially with this government. They have a track record of going back on this kind of thing...

[pjc50.livejournal.com]

I think Chris' point is that it's very broadly drafted; the magic word is "premises". "Premises where a person has his home" is listed as one of the categories that may be excepted. Premises definitely includes tents (12.1). "Vehicles" seems to include private vehicles, which makes sense as most public transport and taxis has been smokefree for a while. Additionally section 4:

"The appropriate national authority may make regulations designating as smoke-free any place or description of place that is not smoke-free under section 2."

I've not yet worked out who this means by "authority". It's part of the general trend of arrogating large chunks of potential power from Parliament and moving them to Statutory Instrument or executive Order.

Personally, I prefer it, and think the time is now right for it, but it's clearly the last step before a total ban on smoking everywhere. I'd give it 10-15 years before tobacco is a class C drug.

[arnhem.livejournal.com]

I'd give it 10-15 years before tobacco is a class C drug.

That would at least move in the direction of greater consistency.