And Lo, all British pubs are smoke free

[Dartzap]

England as always taking longer than everyone else.

England smoking ban takes effect
Smokers across England have sparked up at work and in the pub for the last time as the ban on smoking in enclosed public places begins.

The new law, which came into effect at 0600 BST, is intended to cut deaths from second-hand smoke.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already have similar bans in place.

Many venues held farewell events for the final night of smoking on Saturday, while local authorities are preparing to enforce the ban.

Doctors estimate second-hand smoke kills more than 600 people a year.

The government also hopes it will help smokers to quit, and discourage children from taking up the habit.

Fines

The new Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, welcomed the ban saying that tacking the causes of illnesses saved lives.

"A smoke-free country will improve the health of thousands of people, reduce the temptation to smoke and encourage smokers to quit," he added.

From Sunday anyone lighting up illegally could be fined £50 - reduced to £30 if it is paid within 15 days.

The figure rises to £200 if an individual is prosecuted and convicted by a court.

Businesses failing to comply with the ban could be hit with fines of up to £2,500.

The ban has prompted protests by smokers and those concerned about what they see as the "nanny state".

A legal challenge to the ban has been launched at the High Court by Freedom To Choose, which says the change in the law contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights.

Decline in sales

Others are worried that the ban will mean the demise of the traditional pub and other social haunts such as middle-eastern style shisha cafes.

Market researchers Nielsen estimate beer sales in England and Wales could drop by 200 million pints each year because of the ban.

However, a survey by the Campaign for Real Ale suggested England's 6.2 million regular drinkers are likely to go out to pubs and bars more often after the ban.

Its study also found that 840,000 people who currently do not go to the pub said they would do so after smoking was made illegal.

Mark Hastings, communications director of the British Beer and Pub Association, said that although the ban may lead to a small decline in beer sales, pubs would also see an increase in the sale of food.

Woohoo! Going to the pub will be good again!

[weemadando]

Well, Victoria only just figured out that smoking in pubs is a turn off to people who may want to visit them and don't want to a) die early, b) not be able to breathe and c) not walk away stinking like an ashtray.

[Stuart Mackey]

I remember when I was in England during the mid 90's, and I have to say that going to a pub there was, by and large, an unpleasant experiance, just as it was in NZ at the time. Suffice it to say I seldom went to pubs because they felt utterly fithy and genrally made my lungs feelt unheathy. Smoke free is good, I will now spend money in a pub.

[Acidburns]

We've been smoke free in Scotland for a while, and when I went down to London for the day, I could barely stand it. Once you've been in a few smoke free pubs for a while, you really, really appreciate the difference.

[Darth Tanner]

I went out Saturday and most of the pubs I went in were all ready smoke free and it was bloody nice, the air was crisp and clean and I could see from one side of the bar to the other.

When we entered a smoking place and smelt the filth we just left and went somewhere else.

Was there any reason given why England had to wait so long for this compared to the rest of the Union?

[Siege]

I can't wait 'till they finally implement smoke-free pubs here. For some infathomable reason the government keeps pushing it back because the organization of bar-owners (or whatever) says they need more time to implement it. As if that's an effort on par with the construction of the Pyramids. 1-1-2008 I think the new date for banning smoking in all pubs everywhere is now.

[Admiral Valdemar]

This is the broadest ban on smoking anywhere in the world. It took longer to pass the bill, but it is something unrivalled elsewhere, so that is good. I did notice on The Daily Politics today that some wanker in Blackpool had his pub with everyone in smoking and contesting the "nanny state" ban that some will take to the European Court on Human Rights (funny how everyone loves that court when it benefits them).

That he admitted car fumes are dangerous is hilarious. Because second hand smoke, which carries far more toxins and often occurs in enclosed spaces, is somehow less of a threat, yes?

[Vehrec]

If I ever go to England, It will be good to know this. Of course, the only reason I would go into a pub is to A; be sociable with drinking friends and B; Get somthing to eat, or C;Soaking up atmosphere. Of course now I can absorb the character of the pub without absorbing carcinogens.
I can definately say that I prefer being in bars without smoking to those with. By an order of magnitude.

[Zac Naloen]

The smokers are now complaining about the bloody signs put up there to stop them being fined

[darth_timon]

I am very happy about this. I would sometimes go out with my friends to the local bars and clubs and come home reeking of cigarette smoke, even though I don't smoke. Now I can go out without having to worry about being slowly poisoned.

There are however, those who are against this ban: Freedom2Choose

I love that they are posting survey figures from over 3 years ago.

Grr- can a Mod clean up the link? I've tried but for some reason can't get it to work properly.

[Starglider]

Ideally 90% of pubs would have banned smoking on their own and this wouldn't be necessary; I'd be happy with a small number of establishments catering to smokers. Unfortunately they didn't so it was; the 'smoking vs non-smoking areas' that were common just didn't work, because smoke doesn't stop at imaginary walls. It does however stop at actual walls given a proper ventilation design, so I regret that this bill does not (AFIK) have an exception for designated and properly designed smoking rooms. If a landlord wants to dedicate a separate room at the back with an extractor fan for smoker's use they should be able to.

[Death from the Sea]

Several cities here in Texas have already taken this ban and some are trying to get it enacted soon.... Houston is supposed to enact a smoking ban in the fall sometime, but rumor has it that smokers are banding together to get the new ordinance revoked before it sets in.

[Lord Pounder]

The smoking ban has been in effect here for a few months now. "If you're in a bar you're not there to be healthy" wrong there is no such thing as secondary drinking. I can go out now and have a good night not stinking of anymore than beer and sweat when I come home, which is a lot easier to clean up.

[Quadlok]

In this state you can't even smoke within 25 feet of windows, doors, or vents of a public building, unless its an Indian Casino. Business in bars, pubs, and nightclubs has gone up overall since the ban went into effect a couple years ago and except for a few vociferous objections from the few bar owners who apparently depended on an all smoker clientèle, people seem pretty pleased with it.