Email from Lee Scott MP
Posted by Lee Scott, MP for Ilford North, at 17:22, Tue 17 January 2006:
The Health Bill is currently making its way through the Parliamentary process towards becoming an act. Part one of this bill would ban Smoking in enclosed public spaces such as pubs. There will be exceptions for bars which do not serve food and for private members clubs.
Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of premature death and illness in the United Kingdom. Smoking related diseases kill nearly 120,000 people a year, which is around a fifth of the total annual deaths in Britain.
Smoking not only causes direct harm to individuals who smoke but also produces detrimental effects on the health of individuals who are indirectly exposed to tobacco smoke. That is the view of healthcare professionals and the opinion of the vast majority of people.
In 2004 Ireland became the first European country to create smoke free enclosed workplaces, including bars, restaurants and hotels. After a year test results found respiratory symptoms experienced by non-smoking bar workers declined significantly more in the Republic of Ireland than in Northern Ireland which has no such restriction.
I would like to hear your views on this issue.
Lee Scott MP
Comments
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Posted by Tom Page, 10:42, Wed 18 January 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #
Lee
I strongly believe that it is right for smoking to be banned in all public places. Everyone has the freedom to smoke if they so choose, but they have no right to inflict this on others - especially those who work in smoke-filled work-places.
Posted by Iain Tatch, 19:47, Wed 18 January 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #
On a recent trip to the Republic of Ireland I was struck by how noticeable the smoke-free atmosphere of their pubs is. It was a pleasure to be able to walk into a pub or restaurant and know you can have a meal without smoke wafting over, and not to have the smell of smoke on your clothes or in your hair when you leave, either. The smokers I saw seemed more than happy to congregate in the outdoor areas set aside so that they could have a cigarette, and I'd love to see a similar situation over here.
Posted by Samia Mazid, 20:45, Wed 18 January 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #
As an asthmatic, I am wholeheartedly in favour of banning smoking. As for being allowed to smoke if one chooses - why should this be the case if it has an adverse effect on an individual's family by for example, encouraging children to smoke/ forcing them to smoke passively/becoming ill as a result of smoking?
Posted by Carolynne Spencer, 09:35, Thu 19 January 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #
Lee,
My experience comes from a holiday in Cape Town South Africa. Where smoking is banned in all public places ( shopping centres etc) however, we did go to one restaurant where there was a smoking area which was partitioned off with high glass walls and I presume very good air conditioning as we were not aware of any smoke. It seemed to cause very little issue.
I can understand the want for exemptions, but I wonder how manageable this will be and maybe it should just be all or nothing rather than have something else that has to be policed in some way.
I would be in favour of the ban in enclosed public areas.