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Originally Posted by ian@huth
So you say that the time is now right to support such radical action. Who says that the time is now right and if it is why has a complete ban on smoking in all enclosed places not been implemented?
What are the facts as applied to England where I reside?
There is no legislation that bans smoking in all public places and there may never be such legislation.
There is no legislation that bans smoking in places that serve alcohol and there may never be such legislation.
There is no legislation that bans smoking in places that serve food and there may never be such legislation.
No matter what the anti smoking brigade want they have to remember that the millions of people who are entitled to vote in this country and who also smoke will have to be listened to by any government in power who will balk at upsetting such a powerful section of the voting populace. I cannot see any solution being accepted that doesn't offer some sort of compromise.
No matter how many times the anti smoking posters in this thread say "for the millionth time" and words to that effect it doesn't alter the basic fact that their view of the situation may be completely at odds with the truth. In fact the very saying shows that they are not telling the truth.
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The Labour Party says it's right, and put it in its manifesto. The electorate democratically (within the limitations of our system) agreed with them and put them in power.
The Cabinet has agreed the wording of the Bill, and has introduced it to Parliament. It *will* be passed into Law, and it is the stated intention of the Health secretary that the new law will be a precursor to an outright ban within three years - three years, incidentally, is still within the lifetime of the current Parliament.
Where you say 'there may never be such legislation': on some of your points, maybe, but on the issue of smoking where food is served ... well, stick your head in the sand if you want. You'll be forced to come to terms with it within about 18 months from now.
It's interesting what you say about Government and other parties having to listen to a powerful section of the populace ... do you really think there's a cat in hell's chance of this being repealed once it's passed? Especially as in the UK, only 25% of people smoke and that number is dwindling steadily?