Of course the actions of the men were inexcusable, if unfortunately typical of society today, and yes I was playing the devil's advocate.
As for smoking, like I say I don't but when others do it doesn't bother me. When I did smoke and even now that I don't I get really annoyed with people who go through this fanning the air in front of their faces with a hand, book, magazine or something because someone lights up within ten yards of them. Why can they just not walk away if they really believe it will harm them? As for banning smoking in Pubs that is, in my opinion, completely out of order. Those that didn't want to go into a smokers pub had the choice and could go into another. Plenty of Landlords catered for both options with smoking and non-smoking bars and many pubs were totally non-smoking but that wasn't good enough for some. I operated both smokers and non-smokers bars in my pub and the only ones who ever complained about it were non-smokers who objected to "only having one bar for our use" The smokers only had one bar too but they never complained. My response was to install air filters and open the entire pub to smokers.
OK then how's about we go down another route which works in many countries and have tobacco shops, where you can, if you choose, go in, buy a cigarette or cigar, take a chair and sit and have a smoke. Nobody else is involved, the people who work in the shop are smokers as are all the customers. Neat compromise I'd say but to the Nannies of Nulabour that is unacceptable. Why? Because they are on a mission to save us from ourselves.
Strange that the Houses of Parliament, despite being a workplace, still have areas where smoking is permitted. Do as we say not as we do seems to be the message.
Nick Harvey (Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat) | Hansard source
As I said in my reply to Mr. Doran on 20 March 2007, Official Report, column 757W:
"The Health Act 2006 introduces a ban on smoking in workplaces and enclosed or substantially enclosed public places from 1 July 2007. While the Act does not formally apply on the parliamentary estate, the Commission, on the advice of the Administration Committee, has decided that the House should comply with the principles of the legislation, as it is not desirable that those who work on or visit the parliamentary estate should be treated differently in this respect than in other workplaces and public places. The Commission recognises, however, that many who work on the estate are unavoidably present for long periods, particularly when the House is sitting. It is therefore desirable to make reasonable provision for those who wish to smoke to do so, provided that the health and safety of other users of the estate is not adversely affected.
With these principles in mind, the Commission has decided that smoking should cease to be permitted from 1 July 2007 in all internal areas of the House of Commons estate, including in bars and private offices. From that date smoking will, however, be permitted in four designated external areas: the Terrace, Commons Court (North West corner), North Terrace (between Portcullis House and Norman Shaw South), and in a designated area on the west side of Canon Row courtyard. Cigarette receptacles will be provided in these areas. "No Smoking" signs will be displayed at entrances to the buildings. I understand that the House of Lords Administration and Works Committee will report its recommendations shortly on the smoking policy for the Lords part of the Parliamentary Estate."
