General Chat

i don't smoke but i think that discriminating against smokers.....

I know that rape and beatings are part of our every day life, all that I am saying is, it will make the acts easier to happen, I am not saying smoking is good or bad, but people should have the chance, and as for cancer, my nan had to have surgery for cancer, she never smoked in her life, and didn't have smoking in her house, she also didn't frequent public houses...also how many establishments will go out of business, smokers will smoke were ever they can, I don't feel that a total ban is the answer that is all. Bev

Oh Speedy - come ON!!!!!!!!!!!!! If people want to rape and murder it won't take a smoking ban to make them do it! Allie

A girl's drink can be spiked whenever she takes her eyes off it - a momentary glance away, a trip to the loo. You can't blame smoking outside for that. And if she dies of lung cancer or emphysema or heart disease? I know this is an emotive subject, but I have watched several people I love die disgustingly through smoking. I also know several people who would love to stop but are weak-willed and would welcome a ban to help them stop. nell

Hooray! Can't believe after all the years of supporting ASH (Action an Smoking and Health) that this has finally happened! It will be so great to go down the pub again! Cheers Allie

I agree that pubs and clubs should have a smoke free area, not every one wants to breath in others smoke, but what worries me is the next head lines........young girl's drink spiked while she was out side smoking, she was found dead early this morning, raped and strangled...or how about young man found beaten beyond recongnision, while standing out side having a cigarette, I don't think the government have done a full risk assessment, yes provid safe areas for smoking and safer areas for non smokers, but ban it won't stop it. I only hope that the head lines are not some one we know. Bev

YAY!! I'm so happy...loved posting that thread ha ha lol :-))

Smoking ban in all pubs and clubs MPs have voted by huge margins to ban smoking from all pubs and private members' clubs in England. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said the change, expected to take effect in summer 2007, would 'save thousands of people's lives'. Ministers gave a free vote amid fears Labour MPs could rebel against plans to exempt clubs and pubs not serving food. The Commons decided by a margin of 328 to ban smoking from all pubs. It then voted by 200 to extend this to clubs. The Cabinet had been split on how far restrictions - set out in the Health Bill - should go, with Conservatives calling government policy a 'shambles'. 'Historic day'' Smoking is already to be banned in pubs and clubs in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Health Bill gives the Welsh Assembly the right to decide for itself whether to implement a ban it has already twice approved in principle. This is really going to affect generations to come and make the nation a lot healthier Elspeth Lee, Cancer Research UK Ms Hewitt, who voted for a total ban for England, told the BBC: 'I'm absolutely delighted. This is really a historic day for public health.' She added: 'This is going to save thousands of people's lives.' Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chancellor Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Charles Clarke all voted for a blanket ban. But Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, Defence Secretary John Reid and Education Secretary Ruth Kelly opposed it. 'Illiberal' Elspeth Lee, of Cancer Research UK, said: 'This is really going to affect generations to come and make the nation a lot healthier.' However, Simon Clark, director of smoking support group Forest, said: 'This is a double whammy and an unnecessary and illiberal piece of legislation that denies freedom of choice to millions of people. 'The Government should educate people about the health risks of smoking but politicians have no right to force people to quit by making it more difficult for people to consume a legal product.' About one third of people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day will have their first within five minutes of waking Earlier, health minister Caroline Flint said fines for failing to stop people smoking in restricted areas would go up by more than ten times from £200 to £2,500. She said: 'I am confident that these increased fine levels will result in better compliance with smoke-free legislation, which of course, will make enforcement easier.' The Cabinet originally proposed prohibiting smoking only in pubs serving food, in line with Labour's election manifesto. A free vote was offered after many Labour MPs, fearing a partial ban could increase health inequalities among customers and staff, threatened to rebel. Ministers came up with three choices: a total ban; exempting private clubs; or exempting clubs and pubs not serving food. Many MPs opposed a smoking ban on civil liberties grounds. 'Good news' The government predicts an estimated 600,000 people will give up smoking as a result of the law change. Conservative MPs were offered a free vote on the issue. Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said ministers had 'put forward proposals which their own backbenchers thought were completely unworkable'. But it was 'a very important step', he added there 'had to be a culture that encourages better health'. Liberal Democrat health spokesman Steve Webb said: 'This legislation is good news for tens of thousands of bar staff up and down the country. 'The key issue has always been the health and safety of people who work in public places.' Tory leader David Cameron missed the vote following the birth of his third child, a son, earlier on Tuesday. In a recent report, the Commons health select committee said a total ban was the 'only effective means' of protecting public health. Story from BBC NEWS:

Hip Hip Hooorrrraayyyy !........ not that I get to go out to these places much..........