This page provides a regularly updated list of external sites. If you feel strongly about this subject you can make your voice
heard with comments, e-mails and petitions. The more our voices are heard, the more chance we have of being listened to.
It's the smoking ban's first birthday30th June 2008
Kent Online asks: ''Has the smoking ban been a success? Are you happy to be smoke-free or are you a disgruntled smoker? Do you run a pub where trade has taken a hit because of the ban, or is your bar now a better place to work in? Have your say. Comment here.''
It's the smoking ban's first birthday »
Landlords ignoring smoking ban30th June 2008
Report from the Lancashire Evening Post. With pubs crippled by the effects of the ban and cheap supermarket drinks prices, landlords are fighting to keep their head above water faced with a choice between bending the rules or going out of business. Before long the traditional community pub could be a thing of the past. One landlord, who allows his customers to smoke after hours, says: ''I would say at least half of pubs like this are doing what we do.'' Comments invited.
Landlords ignoring smoking ban »
Smoke-free fun?23rd June 2008
Letter to the Times from a trustee of a social club with about 1,200 members, many of whom are smokers. ''Now that the smoking ban is almost a year old in England, we can now assess some of its consequences''. The writer says that the dynamics of the club have altered completely and the social element has been destroyed. ''In the long term, this ban will not only destroy most clubs and pubs, it will also destroy the sense of community that this Government says it is doing its best to encourage.'' Read the full letter and comment here.
Smoke-free fun? »
Barred from smoking in own home20th June 2008
Angry relatives of an elderly care home resident have criticised a decision to ban her from smoking indoors. Her daughters say cigarettes are one of the few pleasures she has left.
The home is to outlaw smoking inside the building from July 1 – despite rules which mean care homes can let residents light up. The home has put up a smoking shelter outside and obviously expects elderly and infirm residents to huddle outside in all weathers. You can comment.
Barred from smoking in own home »
'Bring back smoking' campaign launched18th June 2008
Hundreds of pub-goers in Chorley have launched a campaign to scrap the smoking ban. A petition with signatures from more than 400 revellers is making the rounds in pubs in the town to get the government to lift the legislation. Email comments are invited.
'Bring back smoking' campaign launched »
Pubs flouting cigarette ban11th June 2008
From Wigan Today, a new trend has replaced the traditional pub lock-ins since the 24-hour licensing laws were introduced, with boozers instead lighting up after hours. As this seems to be happening all over the country it is obvious that pubs and their customers don't believe in the ban. Are MPs really surprised that this is happening when they simply will not listen to the people? You can add your comments.
Pubs flouting cigarette ban »
Smoking in mental health units - petition3rdJune 2008
Here's a link to a petition asking the Government to indefinitely extend the exemption granted to mental health inpatient units in The Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007 to allow for the provision of smoking rooms after 1st July 2008. The petition states that ''For inpatients, especially those in long-stay units, the ward they live on is effectively their home. Other places considered to be homes under the Regulations, such as prisons, are exempt from the restrictions and mental health inpatient units should be included in this''.
Smoking in mental health units - petition »
Council crackdown on taxi rank smoking30th May2008
Gosport council is carrying out extra checks at taxi ranks to make sure drivers aren't dropping butts on the ground, and environment officers will also be keeping an eye out for drivers smoking in their vehicles. Is this latest snooping operation a waste of taxpayers' money? Add your comment.
Council crackdown on taxi rank smoking »
Last orders for 60 East Lancashire pubs28th May 2008
Last orders have been called on at least 60 East Lancashire pubs as the industry battles its biggest ever crisis. Some of the 60 closed pubs are boarded up, others derelict and a number have now been turned into new developments such as restaurants or apartments.
Industry bosses said that new smoking legislation, combined with the current economic difficulties and a gradual change of drinking culture had hit pubs hard.
Comments invited.
Last orders for 60 East Lancashire pubs »
Never mind my limits, Dawn. Know your own25th May 2008
From the Mail: ''Listening to Health Minister Dawn Primarolo sensibly talk about sensibly drinking makes you want to get smashed. Of course, she is right to worry about how much kids are drinking, so leave us alone and focus on them.
A few units in the privacy of our own homes after a hard day’s work? Is that the business of Ministers now?''. You can comment.
Never mind my limits, Dawn. Know your own »
The law of unintended consequences22nd May 2008
Article from the Times about the SNP government's move to ban cigarettes from open sale in shops and push them under the counter. The writer says thatm by semi-outlawing the purchase of tobacco they are encouraging a new and entirely unnecessary branch of criminal activity. A lively trade in supplying cigarettes and tobacco is likely to grow up. We will see clandestine deals in pubs, not just of drugs, but of cigarettes. - without notably curbing the use of tobacco. Not sure about his last paragraph, though, in which he states that the smoking ban was ''well thought out''. You can add your comments.
The law of unintended consequences »
David Cameron: I'm Alright Jack15th May 2008
''Call me Dave'' says he would reverse the fox hunting ban if made Prime Minister. Apparently, when asked about the smoking ban he replied: ''I don't smoke''. So that's OK then. Is it for you? Have your say here.
David Cameron: I'm Alright Jack »
Smokers are voters6th May 2008
Brilliant video here by our own ''Hairy Chestnuts''. Labour has taken a beating not just because of the spiralling cost of living and worries about mortgages, petrol, council tax, food, utility bills, etc. etc. There are 15 million smokers in this country who are being treated as second class citizens because of the divisive smoking ban. They have sent a message to Gordon Brown. He says he's listening but unsurprisingly doesn't seem to want to listen to smokers and tolerant non-smokers. Make your voice heard by adding a comment.
Smokers are voters »
Shock Tactics5th May 2008
From the Guardian. The writer says that ''An advert that grabs attention, even if it offends some people, can be an important part of an anti-smoking campaign''. A good debate going on here, with some excellent comments.
Shock Tactics »
Don’t let cigs fascists get you down28th April 2008
Brilliant letter in the Lancashire Telegraph which just about sums up the vindictive smoking ban. Some good comments already - you can add yours.
Don’t let cigs fascists get you down »
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