[Closed] Banning Smoking in parks

I think you've underestimated the speed with which popular opinion has changed, in regards to smoking.

Most would be quite happy about this.

banning it from the kids play area i support but not the entire park

I'm not and never have been a smoker either but agree it's a silly proposal

Thats exactly how I feel, even though I'm partial to a roll up.

They're going to enforce fines probably in due course if this gets pushed through.
But if it stops kids from breathing it in, I'm all for it!

The quoted 'It sets a bad example for children' is a poor excuse. I suspect it's someone trying to make a name for themselves. For the government to come out and say they aren't even considering on the same day it hits the news shows how badly it's gone down.

They would be better banning smoking in cars, at least they could pretend it was due to driving safety.

I agree wih the idea, banned in all public places indoors or out.

Bonkers proposal. Totally unenforceable.

Think JY has it but I'd happily see it in the whole park too, there's many other places you can smoke outside parks if you want to be social with your fumes.

I suspect it's someone trying to make a name for themselves.

I wonder if his report gave any reasons for the view stated?

Ya, I see the tentacles of the bureaucrats extending further into individual space. They are slowly chipping away your rights to be a person and soon they will monitor your lifestyle by dictating the oxygen you breath in. The nanny state will never stop.

You lot are in for automation of life ... 😯

soon as they ban those silly metal boxes that belch out noxious fumes while consuming fossil fuels, im right on board.

I would be for it (and eventually in all public places) from a anti-littering point of view; no smoking, no discarded butts everywhere.

soon as they ban those silly metal boxes that belch out noxious fumes while consuming fossil fuels, im right on board.

agreed

soon as they ban those silly metal boxes that belch out noxious fumes while consuming fossil fuels, im right on board.

I love my multi-fuel stove.

New York has banned smoking in public places, including in their parks. I have no idea how popular it is, but I liked it when I was over there. And if it actively discourages people from smoking, then great.

soon as they ban those silly metal boxes that belch out noxious fumes while consuming fossil fuels, im right on board.

I think cars are banned from most parks 😉

Ban the public.

What's the point of them eh? They are waste of space. Yes?

Ban them from going out from their dwellings for daring to walk on the land.

Ban them for even daring to look or behave differently.

Ban them from wanting to consume as they see fit.

We are society of the "free" (rights etc) but in the meantime let's use more rules to ensure we ban all activities that relate to them.

Freedom!!!
I mean bureaucratic freedommm!!!
We want more rules!!!
Freedom to set more rules!!!

😈

I agree wih the idea, banned in all public places indoors or out.

Up to a point.. but the worst place you can smoke is in the home - partly because if you have kids and you smoke then all likelihood they'll smoke when they grow up (or probably sooner) so the problems of smoking are perpetuated for another generation, but also smoking at home is the most common cause of domestic fire-deaths (and those fires can kill anyone in the building, not just the smoker).

One of the the unintended benefits of legislation to ban smoke indoors in public places is many smokers have stopped smoking indoors full stop, they'll go outside for a fag even at home. Pushing people back inside again would be counter productive.

Banning in parks is not overly clever. Ban it within 10 metres of any child or in any enclosed space which contains a child, this includes houses and cars.

Or, just ban it. Put the legal age of smoking up by 1 year every 1st January for the next century or so.

Ban it within 10 metres of any child

You're never more than 10 metres away from a child or is that rats? I always get the 2 mixed up.

Bureaucratic freeddooooommm!

😈

If they're going to do this then they may as well ban smoking altogether. This is a nonsense. So it's ok to smoke on the pavement at the entrance to the park where you're exposing many more people to the smoke as they walk by, but in the park where very few if any people will be exposed to the smoke it's banned. It's stupid and its this sort of stupid legislation that is a waste of taxpayers money. I'm no smoker but this just doesn't pass the common sense test, not by a long way. In public buildings and cars, yes, but not in open public spaces. Just go the whole hog and ban it altogether.

It's stupid and its this sort of stupid legislation that is a waste of taxpayers money.

I wonder, just what are the costs to the tax paying by doing this?

may as well ban internal combustion engine powered vehicles while your at it...

I'm pro banning anywhere where people sit down - so parks and beaches too. Hate it when people sit down next to us and start smoking - always get up and move.

may as well ban internal combustion engine powered vehicles while your at it...

^^^

If you smoke your more likely to get cancer and due which would leave your family with no means of getting an income so next time you light a cigarette or buy a pack from a shop just think every one you smoke is making that horrible outcome become more likely to happen so just think for your family's sake

Burn all smokers...

If they're going to do this then they may as well ban smoking altogether.

This. I'd be happy to see smoking disappear forever so on the one hand I'd have no problems with a total ban, but OTOH people should be able to do what they want if it's not bothering other people. But OTOOH, I should be able to sit outside without breathing in someone else's smoke... I dunno.

Ban it everywhere in public, with a total ban to follow in the home in, say, a decade. It is just about the filthiest, smelliest most disgusting habit imaginable. Smokers spoil things for everyone within about a 50 feet radius of their selfish addiction. And very, very few of them ever bother to find a bin to put their ends in. They just drop them wherever. I'd happily see on the spot fines, and if they can't, or won't , pay, them a day or two or three in the cells.

As you can maybe tell, it's a subject I feel strongly about. I'm generally a believer in doing your own thing as long as it doesn't affect others, but smoking does affect others. It really is an utterly obnoxious habit to have. If you want to kill yourself then fair enough, but don't pollute the air for the rest of us.

Ban it now. Everywhere. And if you get lung cancer because you smoke then you go to the bottom of the list, behind ingrown toenails, skint knees and people with slightly sore necks.

If you smoke your more likely to get cancer and due which would leave your family with no means of getting an income so next time you light a cigarette or buy a pack from a shop just think every one you smoke is making that horrible outcome become more likely to happen so just think for your family's sake

You do know that some people don't GAS right?

Not everyone has a family/friends/loved ones/care for others blah di blah..

Me? I think banning smoking in Parks is quite a silly idea, it'll never get a vote nor be supported. What I am in favour of is smoking directly outside Tube Stations/Schools/Offices/Bus Stops - rather free areas, but that too is a bit silly an idea really.
They have to go somewhere.

I think an outright ban is churlish.

You lot are in for automation of life

Personally I think there's some distance between steps to get something that most people hate out of their faces and the nanny state taking away our rights.

They'll be banning Farting next! 😳

Whilst I dislike smoking, I draw the line at banning it in public parks because that step is just crossing the line, too controlling.

You do know that some people don't GAS right?

People tend not to give a shit until its too late for giving-a-shit to make a difference. Then they have ages and ages to give a shit. The public health efforts tend to focus too much on the mortality and not enough on the morbidity.

Nope OP. Definitely for this. It's a place where people go to get fresh air, kids included. Good idea.

Not sure the-10m-from-a-child idea would be sensible. [i]Someone[/i] might claim his tape measure always undermeasured, and there was no way that was 9.5m... 😉

MrSalmon - Member

You lot are in for automation of life

Where will you be then?

Personally I think there's some distance between steps to get something that most people hate out of their faces and the nanny state taking away our rights.

I don't know where I will be to be honest. On the one hand I can live anywhere I like in EU (assuming we are still in EU, bloody hell I can't speak their language except English) or on the other hand I can return to the Land below the Wind where I become a bum (US slang). Bloody tough choice that ...

Ban alcohol? Yes? Or increase the price by 300%, yes? I mean I only drink a pint or two every say six months so do not really bother me.

However, I do not like drunks when they try to be funny. I mean I got my windows smashed many times because some drunken people thought they were funny ... Worst still the culture of over consumption of alcohol is actually also costing all of us money. Innit!

😯

However, I do not like drunks when they try to be funny.

don't like people constantly going on about beurocracy and zombie maggots

but I find a few drinks helps.

nealglover - Member

However, I do not like drunks when they try to be funny.

don't like people constantly going on about beurocracy and zombie maggots

[b]but I find a few drinks helps.[/b]

Aahhh ... I see you are alcohol dependent, yes?

I am tobacco dependent ... for now.

😈

Yeah, err .....

Well spotted.

Allow smoking in parks, but make it a capital offence to drop the nub end.

My friend has sculliosis of the spine and the doctors at RNOH bolsover street refuse to help unless he gives up and the numpty still smokes.
I smoked for 25 years and thought one day I would be stood in front of a doctor telling me I was dying of a smoking related illness and I would be wishing I could turn back time to go back and stop.
So that is what I did, stop.

Think the goverment should ban smoking but not the sale of ciggies,
That way there will be no black market.
You can buy and sell cigs, have them about your person but if caught smoking anywhere a fine and if you can not pay community service.
Only thing is who would enforce it as our police have better things to do.

If they're going to do this then they may as well ban smoking altogether.
This. I'd be happy to see smoking disappear forever so on the one hand I'd have no problems with a total ban, but OTOH people should be able to do what they want if it's not bothering other people. [b]But OTOOH, I should be able to sit outside without breathing in someone else's smoke[/b]... I dunno.

Ban alcohol? Yes? Or increase the price by 300%, yes? I mean I only drink a pint or two every say six months so do not really bother me.

I'd rather they banned dogs from parks. With two kids you spend the entire time looking out for piles of dog shit. Bloody lazy dog owners. Flame away.

CountZero - Member

It would really bother me, I enjoy a couple of pints or so at the weekend, and I've never had a problem with someone drinking at a nearby table's alchohol poisoning the actual air I'm breathing, unlike smokers.
I think the zombie maggots have actually eaten your brain, chewkw.

Nahhh ... ban alcohol or increase tax by 300%. I don't enjoy drinking.
What do you mean by "nearby table"? Restaurant? Office? Can you smoke in those areas?

Hello, this is public open space we are referring to so you don't have to sit near those that smoke you know. You have a choice moving to another space. 🙄 Are you those people who are fixated on talking to people 6 inches from their face? Ya, I have some of my colleagues who stand so close to me when they speak I thought I was going to headbutt them with my auto reaction. 😆 When I moved a bit away from them at arm length they would move closer. Bloody hell the only way to fend them off is with my tobacco smoke. 😯

shuhockey - Member

I'd rather they banned dogs from parks. With two kids you spend the entire time looking out for piles of dog shit. Bloody lazy dog owners. Flame away.

Now that you mentioned this I have this image of a small kid picking up dog turd then showing to the parents smiling thinking that someone might have dropped their chocolate ... eewwwwee ... 😯

edit: as a kid I once picked up plenty of goat droppings and breaking them opened to see what they were, my mum then told me they were goat shite.

I think non smokers should be allowed to shoot on sight any smokers they spot on certain days of the week. That would stop most smokers actually smoking on those specific days then all we have to do is gradually work out way up to the full seven days and week and hey presto everyone is "cured".

I've never had a problem with someone drinking at a nearby table's alchohol poisoning the actual air I'm breathing, unlike smokers.

edit: as a kid I once picked up plenty of goat droppings and breaking them opened to see what they were, my mum then told me they were goat shite.

She let you pick them up then, good lass. Character building.

fd3chris - Member

I think non smokers should be allowed to shoot on sight any smokers they spot on certain days of the week. That would stop most smokers actually smoking on those specific days then all we have to do is gradually work out way up to the full seven days and week and hey presto everyone is "cured".

Who are you going to shoot next after cigarette/tobacco smokers? The weed smokers, yes? If you can shoot them your society will be so peaceful I give up smoking instantly to hail your achievement.

😯

Hello, this is public open space we are referring to so you don't have to sit near those that smoke you know. You have a choice moving to another space.

Not necessarily. Pub beer garden on a nice sunny day?

They will be in the original list don't worry.

thestabiliser - Member

edit: as a kid I once picked up plenty of goat droppings and breaking them opened to see what they were, my mum then told me they were goat shite.

She let you pick them up then, good lass. Character building.

Have you ever picked up goat shite before? I think the question should be have you even seen a live goat before? 😆 As a kid, I used to play head butting with my goats. Yes, I kid you not and not making up to amuse you lot here, by holding on their horns (prevent horns poking me) with my head pushing the goat's head. A word of warning ... they are strong. Good fun nevertheless.

Anyway, goat shit is not as lethal as cat shite and when you open them you only see green grass ... if they are fresh.

What about those e-cigs? I happened to walk past a cloud of "smoke" someone had generated with one the other day, I could taste the mint! They haven't even been properly approved, waiting for the next raft of lung cancer cases 'cos of 'em. Love they way it says not to get the liquid on your skin but vaporising and inhaling it is fine...

MrSalmon - Member

Hello, this is public open space we are referring to so you don't have to sit near those that smoke you know. You have a choice moving to another space.

Not necessarily. Pub beer garden on a nice sunny day?

I see. I don't go to pub that often and the beer garden can be rowdy at times IMO. Well, if you ban drinking in beer garden then there will no one smoking.

Anyway, goat shit is not as lethal as cat shite and when you open them you only see green grass ... [b]if[/b] they are fresh.

Excellent news.
Ban it in all public places.
Summer sitting outside a pub is grim as all the addicts are out there getting their fix

rogerthecat - Member

Excellent news.
Ban it in all public places.
Summer sitting outside a pub is grim as all the addicts are out there getting their fix

Yeap, ban drinking outdoor including beer garden. I totally support that.

Where I am now there are so many pubs in the city ... in GeordieLand ...

What about those e-cigs? I happened to walk past a cloud of "smoke" someone had generated with one the other day, I could taste the mint! They haven't even been properly approved, waiting for the next raft of lung cancer cases 'cos of 'em. Love they way it says not to get the liquid on your skin but vaporising and inhaling it is fine...

I'm with the WHO on this and want an evidence led approach. We differ in what we should do in the mean time though. The WHO want them banned (or at least limited) until they're proved safe. I'm in the other camp and they should be freely available until proved unsafe.

As for the fact that it's ok to smoke but not get on you're skin, it's similar to being able to have a pint but drinking pure alcohol would kill you.

Awesome Chewkw, everyone knows of passive , you sir are a pioneer in your field.

Edit: bloody tablet!

On a more sensible note (my post) it does seem it is going to end up banned everywhere. It's just a matter of when I think.

It's not specifically for health reasons, it's because parks are supposed to be healthy open spaces for recreation and children seeing people smoking does not fit with that image.

Burn all smokers...

Smoke all burners.......

theotherjonv - Member

It's not specifically for health reasons, it's because parks are supposed to be healthy open spaces for recreation and children seeing people smoking does not fit with that image.

But the same can be said about alcohol consumption ...

You start with a culture of drinking then the next generation pick up the habit of accepting drinking as part of the norm.

It's not specifically for health reasons, it's because parks are supposed to be healthy open spaces for recreation and children seeing people smoking does not fit with that image.

😕

Why compare? They are two different social issues with different consequences .

As i tried to post^^^ there is no passive consumption of another persons' alcohol (IME it is usually far from passive).

Smoking kills, it kills the user and can kill those who inhale due to the proximity of smokers.

True, but that's not the purpose of the proposed legislation; at least according to the interview on r4 this am.

One thing they should do is ban people from lighting fags in cars. If that isn't as dangerous as taking a swig of water whilst at the traffic lights I don't know what is.

INRAL..... but i would rather they banned smoking from the high street, or in my case Fußgangerzone, and the exits of underground staions. makes me feel a little gaggy walking out of a shop to be hit by a wall of 2nd hand smoke, and i say that as someone who enjoys the occasional roll-up at work.

somoking in parks is fine, just don't drop the feggin butt end.

or rather ban all filtered fags. Camels or roll-ups only. it would have two advantages: 1, no more unsightly, artficial filters and; 2, the smokers would die more quickly and fewer would take it up as their lungs can't cope.

Absolutely bizarre proposal. I'm just back from a week snotting out filth from the Tube and Zone 1 traffic. Consider sorting that out first.

"Smokers spoil things for everyone within about a 50 feet radius of their selfish addiction."

it's not that bad, mate. stop being dramatic.

I think people should be able to do what they like, including smoking. Then again, I don't know any smokers that want to smoke, they all seem to be trying to quit and failing.. I'm sure deep down no wants to be addicted to anything.

Probably be easier to just ban it, considering how bad it is for your health. But where do you stop? Ban caffeine? Ban sugar? That would suck!

I think banning it in public is a good move though... Its quite horrible getting a lung full of it while walking past someone smoking. I know smokers may think that's being OTT about it, but its not nice for those who aren't accustomed to breathing it.

Smokers are addicts. Give them somewhere to take their drug atleast.

Gruinard Island

Please ban smoking in public, why should I have to inhale smoke from some selfish idiot. If I sat in a beer garden and threw beer round the place I'd be thrown out why not smokers. It's anti social and disgusting, the problem for smokers is they don't see how disgusting it is as they live in their own cloud all day long.