Should we spy on smokers?

[Ravenfire]

Are undercover smoking agents, policing the forthcoming smoking ban in England, a good idea? Is this money well spent or a waste of public coffers?

Council officials will have the power to enter premises undercover, allowing them to sit among drinkers and even photograph and film people.

They will be able to give on-the-spot £50 fines to individuals as well as take court action against premises breaking the new law which comes into effect in July.

Smokers' groups have called the plans a "waste of money".

Would you shop a smoker?

[ruthie]

Although I hate the smell of smoking and having to inhale it i think it is all going too far and it is one more step along to the police state this goverment seem intent on bringing in. I think there should be places e.g. pubs, clubs where people can go and smoke. And just where is this money coming from our council tax?

[duck_egg]

I'm on the fence with this one, I smoke, although I do want to give up and we go on holiday on the 2nd July and Butlins will be a smoke free zone so I'm going to have to deal with it somehow. I think it should be policed as it will be law, and any breaking of the law deserves a punishment but I don't think we need to waste more money on employing more people for it, there is a new law to do with traffic and driving every few weeks, so why can't this just be added to the list of things a police officer can give an on the spot fine for, same as p'ing in public or dropping litter! I think it is going too far to film people, there is no need, there'll be a dozen non-smokers tutting louder than police sirens anyway!!! x x x

[smirnoff]

i am a smoker. i like to have a cigarette with a drink ina pub, but i wont be able to.. fair enough...
i dont like the idea of being snooped on or shopped though..

but saying that im too much a wuse to break the alw anyway!

[darwins]

Are undercover smoking agents, policing the forthcoming smoking ban in England, a good idea? Is this money well spent or a waste of public coffers?

Council officials will have the power to enter premises undercover, allowing them to sit among drinkers and even photograph and film people.

They will be able to give on-the-spot £50 fines to individuals as well as take court action against premises breaking the new law which comes into effect in July.

Smokers' groups have called the plans a "waste of money".

Would you shop a smoker?

you just try it Raven! and the duck gets it :hysterica

[Ravenfire]

Personally I dont agree with spying on people and I also do think rooms should be made available seperately for smokers

[darwins]

i am a smoker, and i except other people shouldnt have to breath in my smoke, also when it comes to pubs and club etc i agree with the ban, but the goverment are propusing a ban on smoking in all public places.so if im in a pub, and would like a ciggy, where can i go? im not asking for anything special like a room or anything, but i think it would fair to allow smokers to pop outside for a ciggy if they choose?

[Trinity]

The smoking ban came into place in Scotland last year and have to say I love it! It is great to be able to go out and come home without smelling of smoke. Seperate rooms just won't work as the smoke still filters through and if you are with friends who smoke, you will probably end up in the smoking room.

A lot of pubs in Edinburgh have found that the profits have risen as more people are taking their kids out for the family pub lunch.

There are worse things than smoking going on in pubs.........such as drug dealing and I would much rather this was sorted out.

[emmalouise]

i smoke and i'm fine with the idea of not being able to smoke in pubs, but i don't like the thought of being spied on, maybe they should make seperate smoking and non smoking pubs?

[runragged]

I'm an ex smoker & I love the idea of being able to go out & have a drink with brething in smoke, but I think this idea sounds ridiculous TBH. There aren't enough egular police officers, yet there's money in the pot for this? Sorry, but as lovely as it sounds to have a completely smoke free zone when I'm out, I'm rather the money was better spent on catching people mugging old ladies, raping women etc etc than lighting up a crafty fag in a pub!

[MrTempleDene]

OK then

Name the only bar in the country that will still allow smoking when the ban comes into force?

[Olive_Oil]

OK then

Name the only bar in the country that will still allow smoking when the ban comes into force?

BARMOUTH? :cheesy:

[runragged]

Scotland Yard social club?

[MrTempleDene]

It's the bar in the House of Commons!

Hypocrites

Maybe we should have spies in the commons, so we can see just what our lawmakers get up to! and I don't mean in the House itself, but in all those "private" meetings where deals are thrashed out.

[Trinity]

It's the bar in the House of Commons!

Hypocrites

Maybe we should have spies in the commons, so we can see just what our lawmakers get up to! and I don't mean in the House itself, but in all those "private" meetings where deals are thrashed out.


You are joking!! If they are going to enforce a law, then it has to be united!

Also you are still able to smoke in prisons! :hysterica

[lisa1980]

Im not a smoker but i think this is a ridiculous idea and what will they will do with the money they collect? nothing useful i bet i think they should be concentrating more on problems such as crime, education, and the nhs rather than who is smoking in a pub.

[Catkin]

I am a non smoker and I do like the thought of places being smoke free (although the odd smoker doesn't bother me in the slightest!), but if I am somewhere and someone lit up and it bothered me, I would address that person but not report them!

x x x

[Sarah]

Yeah I'm all for it. If people are smoking where they shoudn't be and being allowed to get away with it then they should be stopped and the licencee prosecuted. It's only like the ushers at the theatre making sure you aren't recording the show/smoking etc.

[Apri]

I'm an ex smoker & I love the idea of being able to go out & have a drink with brething in smoke, but I think this idea sounds ridiculous TBH. There aren't enough egular police officers, yet there's money in the pot for this? Sorry, but as lovely as it sounds to have a completely smoke free zone when I'm out, I'm rather the money was better spent on catching people mugging old ladies, raping women etc etc than lighting up a crafty fag in a pub!

I totally agree -as I too am an ex smoker and think its a waste of money for people to spy on smokers !!

[sanjan]

If they get their way then what will they use this excuse for next and who will be the next group that is targeted.

It sounds like a very expensive waste of tax payers money

[Jen]

I say :party05: :hyper: :clapping: for the smoking ban, I hate it when I go out and come home smelling of stale smoke, I really loathe being forced to inhale peoples toxic waste ...In Wales the ban comes in in April :hyper:

[Mummy2EilidhandMollie]

I am a non smoker - gave up 4 and 1/2 years ago. I can't stand the smell of smoke anymore and choose not to go anywhere were smoking will affect me if possible (thankfully up here in Scotland, the smoking ban has been in place since March last year) BUT I don't agree with people snooping and spying - if you want to smoke, thats your choice, just don't do it near me LOL :laugh:

[josie]

I Have Total Mixed Feelings About This.... I Hate To Admit It But...................yes I Am A Smoker..... I Cant Imagine Going Out Somewhere For A Night Where U Cant Smoke... If You Go Out For The Night To Relax And Enjoy Yourself Then U Should Be Able To Smoke.. If Smoking Is Part Of Your Routine..... But I Do Totally Agree That Not Everyone Smokes Or Should Have To Be In Places Where They In-take Peoples Smoke... So I Think As Someone Else Said There Should Be Seperate Places For Smokers Or Non-smokers...... I Was Actually Talking About This With A Friend The Other Day And She Is So Against It.... She Says She Works She Pays For Them And If She Wants To Smoke She Should Be Able To....... She Said If Somethink So Silly As Smoking Is To Be Stopped Then Why Isnt All Drinking????? Ok They Are Both Harmful To Your Health..... But She Said Some Men And Women... Go To The Pub.... Get Totally Drunk.... Then Turn Very Visicious..... Cause Fights..... Drink And Drive.... And God For Bid But There Are The Kind That Actually Fight And Abuse There Partners Because They Are Drunk.....you Would Never See A Partner Beaten Because There Spouse Had Smoken 20 Fags That Day....... This May Not Make Much Sense To Some Of You But I Totally Understood What She Was Saying..... There Are So Many Other More Serious Things To Ban Than Smoking,.......... After All Drink Driving Is An Offence...... Tell Me How Many Pubs You Go Past And The Car Park Is Full Of Cars.... Dont Tell Me There All Drinking Pop...... The Police Should Be In There Breathalising Them........

[Netty]

I would like to go into a non smoking pub - but the friends I go out with do smoke (and have no intention of stopping). So if they go out for a ciggie, that leaves me sitting on my own ...

But having said that, I don't agree with "spying".

[Jen]

I Have Total Mixed Feelings About This.... I Hate To Admit It But...................yes I Am A Smoker..... I Cant Imagine Going Out Somewhere For A Night Where U Cant Smoke... If You Go Out For The Night To Relax And Enjoy Yourself Then U Should Be Able To Smoke.. If Smoking Is Part Of Your Routine..... But I Do Totally Agree That Not Everyone Smokes Or Should Have To Be In Places Where They In-take Peoples Smoke... So I Think As Someone Else Said There Should Be Seperate Places For Smokers Or Non-smokers...... I Was Actually Talking About This With A Friend The Other Day And She Is So Against It.... She Says She Works She Pays For Them And If She Wants To Smoke She Should Be Able To....... She Said If Somethink So Silly As Smoking Is To Be Stopped Then Why Isnt All Drinking????? Ok They Are Both Harmful To Your Health..... But She Said Some Men And Women... Go To The Pub.... Get Totally Drunk.... Then Turn Very Visicious..... Cause Fights..... Drink And Drive.... And God For Bid But There Are The Kind That Actually Fight And Abuse There Partners Because They Are Drunk.....you Would Never See A Partner Beaten Because There Spouse Had Smoken 20 Fags That Day....... This May Not Make Much Sense To Some Of You But I Totally Understood What She Was Saying..... There Are So Many Other More Serious Things To Ban Than Smoking,.......... After All Drink Driving Is An Offence...... Tell Me How Many Pubs You Go Past And The Car Park Is Full Of Cars.... Dont Tell Me There All Drinking Pop...... The Police Should Be In There Breathalising Them........


I do agree with alot you say, but on the other hand the person sat next to me is not forcing me to drink the vodka in their glass, but IS forcing me to smoke their ciggarettes.
I do agree with the Police watching the drivers coming out of the pubs.

[Icedodge58]

The none smoking ban was in affected in Guernsey last July! Now although I don't smoke I do think that if u want to have one outside You should be able to.
So in guernsey there are tables outside for those who wish to!
My sister and he Dh are smokers and they were telling me Last year that the none smokers were taking up these tables and chairs on purpose! I think that is just pure Bloody minded.
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THE SAME SHOULD BE FOR THIS ASWELL smiledance :kisshands:

[emma_buzz]

i think it all silly imo i dont smoke and hate the kids around it but i think they should have some one spying on drug dealers ex before all of this

[Appalachia]

Very interesting to see that you guys are having "smoking bans" as well. I was under the assumption that smoking was way more liberal on the other side of the ocean.

[Trinity]

I do agree with alot you say, but on the other hand the person sat next to me is not forcing me to drink the vodka in their glass, but IS forcing me to smoke their ciggarettes.
I do agree with the Police watching the drivers coming out of the pubs.

I agree Jen, to be honest I can't be bothered with this "smoker's right" nonsense! No-one is saying that you can't smoke, it's just the boundaries of where you smoke that has been moved. I am sure there are many smokers who may go to relatives, friends houses where they are asked to smoke outside so when you go out for a meal it is just the same.

Smoking/non smoking sections just do not work - I mean you could end up with a non-smoking table that is right on the edge of where the smoking section starts and not every pub/restaurant has the room to have seperate rooms.

What is the problem with going outside for a ciggy? I remember years ago when I went to the cinema you used to be able to light up, you can no longer do that and it doesn't stop people going to the cinema does it? Likewise with buses, aeroplanes etc. I would reckon that a huge majority of workforces has a smoking ban in place anyway, so extending it to pubs/restaurants won't be any different.

Let's face smoking is a disgusting habit and as Jen points out no-one is there forcing you drink alcohol but when it comes to smoking you have no choice but to breathe it in and you have no choice having the smell in your hair, your clothes. As I have said no-one is saying you have to give up smoking, though think how more healthier and how much more money you would have if you did!:cheesy:

[Sarah]

I Have Total Mixed Feelings About This.... I Hate To Admit It But...................yes I Am A Smoker..... I Cant Imagine Going Out Somewhere For A Night Where U Cant Smoke... If You Go Out For The Night To Relax And Enjoy Yourself Then U Should Be Able To Smoke..


You see I've not been able to go for a night out and relax for years because of smoke - it makes me ill. I for one am really looking forward to the ban :happy72:

[Ellie]

There is a particular restuarant that dh and I love, but the smoke is horrendous, so when our smoking ban comes into force in April, we will be booking a table!
Although I have smoked in the past, I hate anyone smoking when I'm eating. I've accepted that its been the norm in pubs, and tbh I've just stayed away if its bothered me.
In Southern Ireland we have had a ban for a while, and its so nice to go out for a meal, or a drink and not have to breathe in cig smoke. Most places have put chairs outside and tried to make a sort of "Smokers area", which I have no prob with. If people want to smoke I have absolutelty no prob with that, I just hate when its in an enclosed environment like a resturant where I cant move away from it. I saw today that our one and only bus company is banning smoking at its bus stops - am not sure quite how they could police that, and I think thats going far too far - I for one am always grateful at a bus stop when someone lights up, as the bus is usually guaranteed to come then! :hysterica

[Jen]

I think I am the only one who is in total agreement with the smoking ban, I hate smoke whether it be inside or out, I really think it the best decision the government has ever made, Roll on April.

[Sarah]

I think I am the only one who is in total agreement with the smoking ban, I hate smoke whether it be inside or out, I really think it the best decision the government has ever made, Roll on April.
I'm in total agreement too.

[Girlzmum]

There's no point in spying on smokers - if they want to smoke then they will, I've encountered so many people saying that a ban isn't going to stop them. My new placement is on a lung ward, I dealing with people getting lungs removed because they've got cancer - and they're still heading into the toilets to have a smoke, they're in pain have had major surgery but they refuse to give up (in fact some actually go through gtting patches so it loks like they're giving up but they have no intention of doing it).

I'm a non smoker and if someone wants to smoke then thats fine but I'm really looking forward to the ban, it will be so nice to be able to sit in a resturant and eat dinner without choking on someone elses smoke. BUT - will we say anything if the person at the next table lights up? Probably not!

[Trinity]

There's no point in spying on smokers - if they want to smoke then they will,

BUT - will we say anything if the person at the next table lights up? Probably not!

I don't think they will - they will receive a fine and also so will the pub/restaurant or where-ever. It has happened in Scotland and the pub got a fine and a warning. For those smokers who want to flaunt the law, I find it rather childish and selfish.

And for the record, if someone did light up at the next table to me, yes I would say something.

I can't understand what the big hoo-ha is with just popping outside for a smoke, once you are finished you pop back inside. You can still enjoy your night out and have a puff, I think smokers are just getting their knickers in one almightly twist!

[Debbie32]

im a ex-smoker (the worst kind) and hate the smell of smoke now and hate being around cigarettes, I cant believe I smoked for 14 years.

so I think the smoking ban is great but if I was still a smoker id have the hump as alcohol and fags go together perfectly.

as for the spying, I work at the council and after talking to some collegues none of us would want the job of spying on people, can you imagine going up to a group of drunk men or women on a friday night and taking photos of them and then giving them a on the spot £50 fine.

your be lucky to leave the pub alive

[Ellie]

im a ex-smoker (the worst kind) and hate the smell of smoke now and hate being around cigarettes, I cant believe I smoked for 14 years.

so I think the smoking ban is great but if I was still a smoker id have the hump as alcohol and fags go together perfectly.

as for the spying, I work at the council and after talking to some collegues none of us would want the job of spying on people, can you imagine going up to a group of drunk men or women on a friday night and taking photos of them and then giving them a on the spot £50 fine.

your be lucky to leave the pub alive

Debbie, I agree, you'd need danger money to do that job! Tbh if when the ban comes into place and someone lit up beside me in a cafe I WOULD say something, particularly if I had the small people with me - I've done it before in no smoking areas.

[Trinity]

The landlord would say something though, after all it is his bar that is at risk and he gets a bigger fine than £50.

There was a case in Scotland where one smug chancer decided to light up and it was a mutiny from the other bar goers as they really gave him a hard time, I doubt he would ever try that trick again.

[Girlzmum]

Apparantly the smokers in Dublin have a ball outside anyway! Although it does make a mess of the street (never happy me!!!!)

[MrTempleDene]

I smoke, and I support this ban fully! I can't wait until I can go into a smoke free pub, and I won't care if I have to step outside for a cig! I don;t smoke in my own home, I don;t smoke in anyone elses home unless they do, and I hate smokey pubs.

but I do NOT agree with wasting money spying on people, there are far more important matters need attention first.

and once they get away with spying on smokers, what next?

spying on dog owners to stop them letting their dogs mess the pavements?

spying on people coming out the chippy to stop them throwing the wrappers on the floor?

spying on people in their own homes to make sure they're not doing anything wrong?

after all, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear? right?

[Trinity]

spying on dog owners to stop them letting their dogs mess the pavements?

spying on people coming out the chippy to stop them throwing the wrappers on the floor?



Actually MrTD, I wish there was someone to spy on dog owners who don't clear up their mess. I am sick of constantly telling my kids to watch their feet while we are walking to school every day. It is disgusting and you never ever see them doing it and if I did, I would have no hesitation in going up to the person to tell them to clear up their dog's mess. It's all very well saying that there is a £50 fine but there's no-one there to dish out the fine is there?!

And we have litter cops, well we have up here in Edinburgh as it was shown on the BBC1 show...........eeek, can't remember the name but it was all about the workers who cleaned the streets, pest controllers etc...........and they were handing out on the spot fines to people who dropped litter etc, but I can't see that being that easy as you could give a false name!

Oooh, and I am right grumpy old woman aren't I?

[Girlzmum]

Actually MrTD, I wish there was someone to spy on dog owners who don't clear up their mess. I am sick of constantly telling my kids to watch their feet while we are walking to school every day. It is disgusting and you never ever see them doing it and if I did, I would have no hesitation in going up to the person to tell them to clear up their dog's mess. It's all very well saying that there is a £50 fine but there's no-one there to dish out the fine is there?!

OOOOH YES!!!!!!! The people across the street constantly let their bloody dog out to run the streets and it craps all over my bloody garden. If I wanted to clean up god crap I would buy a bloody dog. At the minute I have 2 lovely piles of sh1t sitting at each of my pillars. :angry-smi123

I hate litter as well!!! Madam tells people off for dropping it!

[Emsickle]

Actually MrTD, I wish there was someone to spy on dog owners who don't clear up their mess. I am sick of constantly telling my kids to watch their feet while we are walking to school every day. It is disgusting and you never ever see them doing it and if I did, I would have no hesitation in going up to the person to tell them to clear up their dog's mess. It's all very well saying that there is a £50 fine but there's no-one there to dish out the fine is there?!

Oooh, and I am right grumpy old woman aren't I?

Oh I'm with you there!!!

Its always more on the school route aswell for some reason (or so it seems round here anyway). Annoys the hell out of me. The sad thing is, round here, it tends to be a lot of older people that don't clear up. That and the bloke that lives next to the local field that allows his dogs to use the field as a back garden and lets his dogs mess where ever they want on the field or let the chase the children that are playing up there...

[Appalachia]

Been following the thread. Although this isn't an issue for me as I don't pay taxes in the UK. I still feel it would be a waste of money. I'm very sure that non-smokers would report establishments who repeatably violate the no smoking ban by allowing smokers to smoke. I don't see why there would be a need to waste the tax payers money on "spying".