Posted on 02/14/2006 2:11:07 PM PST by neverdem
LONDON, Feb. 14 — After a tortured debate, Britain's Parliament voted overwhelmingly today for a total ban on smoking in public places — a move that seemed certain to end the time-hallowed traditions of the smoky British pub, where a pint of ale and a cigarette once defined the down time of generations.
The decision, by an unexpectedly high margin of 384 to 184, brought England into line with Ireland, which barred smoking in public places in March 2004, and with other parts of Britain, like Scotland and Northern Ireland, where bans are to come into force over the next 13 months. The local Parliament in Wales has also said it will seek a full ban. The English ban is expected to come into force next year.
The issue was seen as so divisive within the ranks of the ruling Labor Party that legislators were given what is called a free vote, enabling them to defy the party line if they wished.
Monday's ballot overturned the formal policy of Prime Minister Tony Blair's government, which had supported a partial ban permitting smoking in private members' clubs and pubs that do not serve food. The compromise would have permitted smokers to congregate in drinks-only pubs.
Opponents of that policy — including Patricia Hewitt, Mr. Blair's health secretary, and, according to the Press Association news agency, Mr. Blair himself, had said that passive smoking would damage the health of workers in any club or pub, whether food was served or not.
"This legislation is good news for tens of thousands of bar staff up and down the country," said Steve Webb, a legislator from the Liberal Democrat opposition. "The key issue has always been the health and safety of people who work in public places."
Ms. Hewitt said the arguments over banning...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
nanny ping
Smoking ban laws are the biggest trash that isn't supported by only democrats
why don't they just ban cigarettes if they're so harmful and dangerous?
Oh, wait...taxes...
exactly.. the biggest pimp of them all is the goverment.
Time to put the Tennessee beach property up for sale again.
It never says so, but this means "indoor" public places, right?
Yeah, pretty soon they will be out of work and can sit at home and collect unemployment.
"Mr. Blair himself, had said that passive smoking would damage the health of workers in any club or pub, whether food was served or not."
Prove it. How can passive smokers get all the health risks without any addiction to nicotine? Amazing. I'm still waiting for ONE person to be brought forward whose poor health is a result of passive cigarette smoke.
Yeah...who cares about the freedom of the people whose patronage actually gives those people jobs! I say if one doesn't want to work in a place where smoking is allowed then get another job in a place where smoking isn't allowed! Let the smokers tend the bar (they're usually better bartenders anyway!)!
not in California - it is illegal to smoke outside on LA County beaches - except pot
The story doesn't explicitly state what, "Ban Smoking in Public," means.
The Smoking Gestapo strikes again.
Why dont they pass a law banning smoking in movies?
Too many kids see their favorite stars smoking in movies. Why not ban actors from smoking in the movies.
Then they can ban actors from drinking in movies and fornicating in movies. Hey this could turn into something wonderful. If they banned the F word in movies half of Hollywood would be making silent films again.
What is wrong with these people??????????
Actually it means indoor PRIVATE places.
There is actually a movement to get any movie that has anyone smoking in it given an "R" rating.
Well said and a sensible mindset.
Oh, wait...taxes...
That blows your common sense statement out the window!!!
Examples permeate every human society.
And at the root of most examples is - money.
Free and non-stifled bandwidth is our friend Gabz.....
Get the picture?
LoL!
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