Be Careful In England

[snooper]

All and any Volunteer Editors are reminded that the new Non-Smoking law for England applies to all places of work (with only a very few exceptions, like prisons).

It is made clear on the relevant government web sites that voluntary work is still classed as work, even if nobody gets paid (thus Charity Shops are included), and that your home is a place of work within the meaning of the act if you work at home. It follows that as Volunteer Editing is clearly work (albeit unpaid) your home, if you do your VEing there, is a place of work and therefore the smoking ban applies in full force, requirements for signage, removal and disposal of all ashtrays, etc., etc.

Be aware that the Government has been most helpful in assisting you to observe the law by providing an army of specially trained enforcement officials who have the right to enter (forcibly if necessary) ANY premises they SUSPECT may be a place of work, and who can issue instant fines for anything THEY deem to be a breach of the law.

They have also provided a free telephone number where anyone can report any suspected breach of the law, so that nasty neighbour can shop you easily, anonymously, and for free.

Isn't it nice to live in a free country?

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Hell, yeah, I'm glad to live in the U.S. I'm even happier that I don't have to worry about the recent Smoke Free Arizona law that was just passed here; I don''t smoke.

I don't really know the specifics about the law (and many smokers probably don't, by choice, even know the law has gone into effect), but it sure as hell is no where near as strigent as what those Brits have enacted (according to the description above). I believe the law here in Arizona states that it is illegal to smoke inside any building (therefore bye-bye smoking section at restaurants), and smoking in public is to be confined to designated areas, set a certain distance from a buildling.

 

[SCAR3CROW]

being a former smoker i do agree to a point with these laws that are being passed and put into effect around the world. However, in saying that there are laws that are just being enforced just as a revenue raiser. Public parks, beaches, sporting arenas/events and so on i do believe that designated areas for smoking should be in place instead of banning it in full. Restaraunts and indoor function areas smoking should be banned as the smoke has a harder time to escape the premises even with very well ventillated areas.

Here is Australia, you cant stand closer the 4 meters to a doorway to a shopping centre or place of business and smoke, but you also arent allowed to stand in the gutter either. Catch 22 move further away and still get busted.

The whole thing is just raising money so that politicians can take a pay rise and buy that new suit, car, boat, house or funnliy enough that box of cuban cigars that are always on their desks

 

[kappacino]

UK Smoking laws

A none smoker, but equally not supportive in total to the new laws. However, the description of these laws in the first posting maybe literal, we are not that draconian and to be honest the authorities would have their work cut out to enforce in the homes, unless of course you had a maid and ignored them.

The UK is not a draconian police state as epitomised by the number of people ignoring the mobile phone and driving laws with impunity.

kappacino

 

[wehstar]

So many people seem to be overreacting to the new legislation.

With many laws they are ridiculous under certain circumstances, but that does not mean that the police have to seek out these peculiarities and act upon them.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

Hmm...

It seems to me the only things "smoking" in London are vehicles packed with gas, propane bottles, and nails...