Shop-a-Smoker Hotline

[Dizzieblonde]

Haven't found it on the web yet, but my local rag announces today that local councils are to set up anonymous hotlines where the public can 'phone and inform them of those they've seen smoking in public places, once a ban on such an activity is finalised. Opinions...?

[LazyGun]

Got to declare an interest, since I am a smoker :) I think bans in confined public spaces is probably no bad thing all in all, but setting up a hotline smacks of nanny stateism and extreme pettymindedness.

Its almost worth lighting up in a public space just to see the rush to the phones of all those disapproving non smoker types! :)

[PhilBy]

They will use the money raised in fines to buy more parking meters & employ more traffic wardens no doubt.

I notice that the trade in bars & restraunts in Scotland has fell by 10% since the smoking ban, this despite the assurance that non smokers would frequent them in their hoards

[jake-the-peg]

I think the objective was public health Philby.

Saying it shouldn't have been done because restauranteurs and publicans would see 10% less punters is a pretty weak argument!

[jonnythebosh]

Just another example of coming down like a ton of bricks on things that are trivial and not dealing with important issues.
Interference and control are the hallmarks of this government both local and national. This is why we are taxed to death to pay for this type of pathetic initiative just to enforce the wishes of some overgrown student who wants to make us conform to their petty beliefs.
Shall we spend precious resources on fighting rampant crime/anti social behaviour or shall we waste it on another type of Soviet style enforcement and interference?

[PhilBy]

I never said it shouldn't of been done jake-the-peg? Just pointing out that one of the claims from the anti smoking lobby just went up in a puff of smoke :)

If you honestly think that by banning smokers in open spaces will improve you health then good on you ........ personally I would prefer my taxes spent on something a little bit more constructive when using the resources of law enforcement.

[Zen]

What a country ? Eh.
You can marry a Fag but you can't smoke one !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dizzieblonde]

Sounds like none of you will be ringing up to grass me up then! *phew* lol

[johnizere]

Some people want to have total control over peoples everyday lives. If someone want to smoke, what's the problem? Let them get on with it. Why not have smokers pubs and clubs? .
There's enough room for both, nobody would force non smokers in them, non smokers wouldn't HAVE to work there, so why not?. I see it's just come about that the beaches in California have become no-smoking areas. Watch this space.
p.s. house of commons retains its' smoking room.