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Complete smoking ban in UK



 
 
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  #1  
Old February 15th, 2006, 07:04 PM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.malaysia,soc.culture.singapore
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Default Complete smoking ban in UK

Stubbed out! Smoking ban from next summer
07:46am 15th February 2006

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Comments Reader comments (219)
Smoking in pub

Smoking: Will be outlawed in pubs and clubs
Smoking in all pubs, clubs, restaurants and workplaces will be outlawed
by summer next year.

MPs voted by a massive majority last night to go way beyond Tony
Blair's original plan for a partial ban.

People caught lighting up will face £50 spot fines and premises that
allow smoking will be fined up to £2,500. The only bars exempt willl
be those serving MPs in the Palace of Westminster, which classes as a
royal palace.

Is the ban a healthy move or an attack on our civil liberties? Tell us
in reader comments below

Campaigners hailed the move as the greatest advance in public health
for 50 years. Professor Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer
Research UK, said: "Today's vote will protect thousands of workers and
save many lives."

Smoking will also be banned in cinemas and other public places classed
as "enclosed". Ministers have yet to decide whether that will cover
sports grounds, train platforms and bus shelters.

In the final twist in a long-running row, the Commons rejected the
partial pub ban proposed in Labour's election manifesto last year.
Senior Labour MPs rubbished the idea that pubs not serving food should
be exempt.

A vote on whether to ban smoking in all pubs was carried by 453 to 125,
a massive majority of 328.

MPs then voted for prohibition to be extended to private members' clubs
like golf clubs by 384 votes to 184, a majority of 200.

In a startling about-turn, the Prime Minister himself voted for all-out
prohibition, as did most of the Cabinet - Labour MPs were allowed a
free vote. A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Blair had been "convinced
by the arguments in favour of a complete ban."

On a chaotic day at Westminster, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt also
performed a complete U-turn.

In the morning she said there was a "very strong argument" for a
limited exemption for private members' clubs. By the time she reached
the Commons, she had decided the arguments were "very finely balanced".

In the end, she joined her junior minister Caroline Flint backing a
total ban, declaring after the vote: "This is going to save thousands
of lives. It's equivalent to the introduction of seatbelts in cars."

Cabinet Ministers Gordon Brown, Charles Clarke, Hilary Armstrong, Peter
Hain, Alistair Darling, Ian McCartney, David Miliband, Hilary Benn,
Margaret Beckett, Des Browne and Geoff Hoon all voted not to exempt
private clubs from the ban.

Almost the only places where the law will not apply will be the bars
serving MPs and peers, it emerged last night. The Palace of Westminster
is classed as a Royal palace, and therefore exempt.

The vote will bring England in line with Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland, which have all moved towards banning smoking in all enclosed
public places. But opposition MPs called the Government's handling of
the issue a "shambles".

Labour's "nannying" tendency has long favoured an all-out ban, but some
in the party - including Defence Secretary John Reid - were unhappy at
barring smoking in such venues as working men's clubs, fearing it will
cost Labour dear in its heartlands.

In a sign of Mr Blair's diminishing authority, Downing Street was
forced to back down in the face of a public squabble between Cabinet
Ministers and a mounting revolt among backbenchers. Last night's result
suggested that the Prime Minister - who faces another knife-edge
division on new terror laws today - would have lost if he had tried to
press ahead with a partial ban.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Steve Webb pointed to "a lack of
leadership".

He said: "The Government has tried to discern public opinion, sought to
follow it, then realised it is running behind public opinion and is now
trying to play catch up. This is no way to set a health policy."

Health campaigners had argued that only a blanket ban would protect all
workers from passive smoking and help thousands kick the habit. Leisure
companies also wanted total prohibition, complaining that a partial ban
would give an unfair advantage to places where smoking was still
allowed.

The only workplaces exempted will be residential care homes, jails,
hotel bedrooms and private homes with staff such as nannies.

Most offices are already smokefree because of concerns about
prosecutions under existing health and safety legislation. But the new
law will consign "smoking rooms" to history and make lighting up
illegal.

The new Health Bill also proposes giving ministers the right to raise
the minimum cigarette-buying age from 16 to 18. Mr Blair came under
heavy fire from some of his own MPs for voting against Labour's
manifesto.

Of the Cabinet, only John Reid, John Hutton, Ruth Kelly, Tessa Jowell,
Alan Johnson and John Prescott backed the partial ban.

Labour MP Bob Wareing said: "When I am next accused of flouting the
manifesto - as I was last night over ID cards - I shall not hesitate to
point this out to them."

John Grogan, Labour chairman of the all-party Parliamentary beer group,
said an exemption for clubs would have been "unworkable". The Selby MP
said: "No one would suggest the minimum wage or health and safety
legislation should not apply to clubs."

But Labour MP Stephen Pound doubted whether the move would be
effective. On a recent visit to Dublin, he said, he had seen pavements
outside pubs "covered with patio heaters and armchairs".

Comment Add your comment | View all Reader comments (219)

219 people have commented on this story so far. Tell us what you think
below!

Here's a sample of the latest comments published. You can click view
all to read all comments that readers have sent in.

Finally ! England comes in line with many other Countries. It will now
be a pleasure to visit a pub and/or restaurant etc. and not have to
contend with cigarette smoke.

However, I really think the ban ought to be followed in the Palace of
Westminster too - if the ban is good for the public then it should be
good for the MP's also.....

- Annie, Jasper, Alberta

Having just come from a bar with 23 people using the smoking area and
zero using the non smoking area, I realise a change is coming. The pubs
will be full of non smokers, many of whom can shelter from the effects
of driving their cars - which are killing the planet - whilst driving
the smokers outside to breath in THEIR fumes...

- Peter Sowerby, Croydon, Great Britain

At last this Govt. has done something constructive which isn't before
time. I absolutely abhor cigarette smoke and hate my hair and clothes
stinking of it. I will at last be able to enter a public place and
actually be able to breathe in fresh air and when I return home keep my
clothes on after I close my front door!

  #2  
Old February 15th, 2006, 10:04 PM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.malaysia,soc.culture.singapore
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Default Complete smoking ban in UK

This is a newsgroup about travel in Asia.

If you have an axe to grind about a unrelated issue which is a personal
hang-up, take it elsewhere.

Cheers,


Pete Loud
Maps of here there and everywhere ;-)
www.peteloud.co.uk


  #3  
Old February 15th, 2006, 10:33 PM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.malaysia,soc.culture.singapore
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Default Complete smoking ban in UK


"Pete Loud" wrote in message
...
This is a newsgroup about travel in Asia.

If you have an axe to grind about a unrelated issue which is a personal
hang-up, take it elsewhere.

Cheers,


Pete Loud
Maps of here there and everywhere ;-)
www.peteloud.co.uk



Given the huge numbers of people who travel from Asia to Britain and Europe
I would have thought that something like smoking in public is a significant
issue to them. Its not irrelevant. At least with this posting if they read
these ngs and this was posted to 4 ngs they are now aware of it.




  #4  
Old February 15th, 2006, 11:23 PM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.malaysia,soc.culture.singapore
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Default Complete smoking ban in UK

In article ,
says...
This is a newsgroup about travel in Asia.

If you have an axe to grind about a unrelated issue which is a personal
hang-up, take it elsewhere.


I found the post interesting (and good news by the way). You should
write complaint posts to those who spam rta.
--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - 6500 photos of Asia, Africa and Europe
  #5  
Old February 16th, 2006, 12:32 AM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.malaysia,soc.culture.singapore
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Complete smoking ban in UK

I repeat, this is a newsgroup, and the others in this cross posting, about
travel and culture in S.E. Asia.

You may be interested in smoking in UK, indeed others might too, but if you
have an axe to grind about a unrelated issue which is a personal hang-up,
take it elsewhere.

Cheers,


Pete Loud



"Graham Justice" wrote in message
...

"Pete Loud" wrote in message
...
This is a newsgroup about travel in Asia.

If you have an axe to grind about a unrelated issue which is a personal
hang-up, take it elsewhere.

Cheers,


Pete Loud
Maps of here there and everywhere ;-)
www.peteloud.co.uk



Given the huge numbers of people who travel from Asia to Britain and

Europe
I would have thought that something like smoking in public is a

significant
issue to them. Its not irrelevant. At least with this posting if they read
these ngs and this was posted to 4 ngs they are now aware of it.






  #6  
Old February 16th, 2006, 12:38 AM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.malaysia,soc.culture.singapore
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Complete smoking ban in UK

That you find smoking in UK good news or bad news is irrelevant to
newsgroups about S.E. Asia, and I do complain to people who spam rta.

Cheers,


Pete Loud
http://users.powernet.co.uk/mkmarina/photos/photos.html - a few dozen
photographs of Asia & Europe







"Alfred Molon" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
This is a newsgroup about travel in Asia.

If you have an axe to grind about a unrelated issue which is a personal
hang-up, take it elsewhere.


I found the post interesting (and good news by the way). You should
write complaint posts to those who spam rta.
--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - 6500 photos of Asia, Africa and Europe



  #7  
Old February 16th, 2006, 01:23 AM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.malaysia,soc.culture.singapore
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Complete smoking ban in UK


Graham Justice wrote:
"Pete Loud" wrote in message
...
This is a newsgroup about travel in Asia.

If you have an axe to grind about a unrelated issue which is a personal
hang-up, take it elsewhere.

Cheers,


Pete Loud
Maps of here there and everywhere ;-)
www.peteloud.co.uk



Given the huge numbers of people who travel from Asia to Britain and Europe
I would have thought that something like smoking in public is a significant
issue to them. Its not irrelevant. At least with this posting if they read
these ngs and this was posted to 4 ngs they are now aware of it.


This group is about travel **TO** asia, not travel from asia. Post to
rec.travel.europe for anyone interested in GB travels.

  #8  
Old February 16th, 2006, 03:10 AM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Complete smoking ban in UK

"Alfred Molon" wrote in message
...

I found the post interesting (and good news by the way). You should
write complaint posts to those who spam rta.


So, Deckard's Thai-Chinese whore will not travel to England to "smoke (give
a blowjob to)" Takin Gthe**** after all.

Our little hero Harold in his wheelchair, will remain living without knowing
what a female is and will need to call his big Afro-Amerikkans with their
baseball bat's to abuse his
arse(hole) again.










--

Alfred Molon
http://www.molon.de - 6500 photos of Asia, Africa and Europe




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  #9  
Old February 16th, 2006, 07:00 AM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.malaysia,soc.culture.singapore
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Complete smoking ban in UK

"Pete Loud" proclaimed...
That you find smoking in UK good news or bad news is irrelevant to
newsgroups about S.E. Asia, and I do complain to people who spam rta.


Shame the USAnians can't stop themselves boring us rigid with their stuff,
though . . . . .

_______
Geoff B


  #10  
Old February 17th, 2006, 02:12 AM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia,soc.culture.malaysia,soc.culture.singapore
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Posts: n/a
Default Complete smoking ban in UK

I support the banning of smoking around the globe.
It'll save the environment and health of non-smokers.
Smokers are an inconsiderate lot.
The only place they should be allowed to smoke is in their own homes.
And they should close all the windows and breathe in their own smoke.
Yes, that will save them some money too.

"Pete Loud" wrote in message
...
This is a newsgroup about travel in Asia.

If you have an axe to grind about a unrelated issue which is a personal
hang-up, take it elsewhere.

Cheers,


Pete Loud
Maps of here there and everywhere ;-)
www.peteloud.co.uk




 




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