Smoke dreams
Well they done it. MPs have voted by huge margins to ban smoking from all public places including pubs and private members' clubs in England.
Let's open the book now: what are the odds on the first successful legal challenge?
My money's on a Rastafarian. While it's true the US ruled that Rastafari do not have the religious right to smoke ganja in violation of drug laws. And the Court of Appeal case of R. v. Taylor [2002] 1 Cr. App. R. 37, it was held that the UK's prohibition on cannabis use did not contravene the right to freedom of religion conferred under the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
My guess is that prohibiting the social and cultural aspects of smoking is in contrevention. Surely people may gather and smoke a placebo...?
posted by Gavin Corder at 7:42 PM
13 Comments:
I am really surprised by this: in Spain (since 1st Jan) there has also been a ban...and fines handed out for abuse...but...BUT...all bars have the OPTION to be smoking or non-smoking except if they are over 100m sq in which case they MUST provide a non-smoking section.
Of the small bars over 85% are still 'smoking'...and unless I'm mistaken people are smoking more: in my local I can hardly fucking breathe!!!!
I think it will kill off a lot of pubs.
How will it kill off pubs? That's why it had to be a blanket ban, so that it would be fair on everyone. No one goes out just to smoke, unless you're only sixteen, and you don't want your parents to find out. No; people go to pubs to socialise, and get merry.
This law is a piece of social engineering that I agree with.
It won't kill off pubs Span, people will do what they're doing in ireland and smoke outside for a while and then everything will calm down after a while. I have to say while I'm almost completely against this kind of state sanctioned social engineering of everything, this is one ban I am pretty comfortable with.
Hello Peety...welcome 'back'.
You Dutchies really know how to relax!...:-)
Should I have said 'Dutchie'...;-)
I don't need to go to Holland for a spliff, I have them in Scotland.
Gavin, It looks like its going to get easier to stay a non smoker :)
The need to feel one of the lads is a huge stumbling block to some.
Span, thats why I'm glad its a total ban in public places. Having exceptions just causes agro and confusion.
Lucy, I think you need exceptions or by catering for the rights of some you are restricting the rights of others.
P.S. There is a total ban here too, in ALL work places, even if they are all smokers!!! THAT is the evry reason they left bars with the option, that must be clearly displayed i.e. "SMOKING IS PERMITTED HERE" type thing.
...been on hols Gav?
Where are you Gav? Its not the same without you :(
Perhaps Gavin has nipped over to Amsterdam for a 10 skin spliff.
Earth to Gavin??? Do you read!
Hi Peety...this is quite worrying...maybe Gavin has been arrested in the 50+ millon pound robbery in England last week!!!!
Careles talk costs lives!
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