Forum Topic

Smoking ban in all open places and parks.

There are calls for smoking to be banned in all open public places like parks and piazzas. I don't usually support bans of most things, but I have to say its unpleasant to use park benches because of the litter caused by cigarette ends discarded on the ground nearby and also at the doors of pubs and restaurants. Any views?

Gerry Tan ● 4215d10 Comments

:-)

Stephen Scott ● 4214d

As we have banned smoking indoors then people have no choice but to smoke outside, where are they meant to go?Are we not meant to be a free society ?As to the comment about dogs, get real !!

Declan Devine ● 4215d

Oh, alright... forget about the dogs. They can stay.ps - I do have a soft spot for Nigel on Gardener's World :-)

John Walker ● 4215d

Ban dogs from parks Mr Walker you are having a laugh :-)

Stephen Scott ● 4215d

Yes, I should have made myself clearer. Even though I personally don't care for dogs, I realize many people love them and that they need exercise so I'm happy to tolerate them (even when they come bounding up to me slobbering around my legs).

John Walker ● 4215d

John Walker: "Personally I'd ban dogs in parks. I think more people are wary of dogs than the odd person puffing a fag."WHAT!?!So where exactly would you propose I walk my dogs then John ? This is a ludicrous generalisation. I have 2 golden retrievers who are the most adorable, good natured, loving dogs and actually cause a pleasant stir when walked in our local park. What harm do you think they cause ? I appreciate some people are wary of dogs, but they are a minority and we also make sure, when in a crowded park, they're on the lead and not allowed to bother those that don't want to be....

Guy Edema ● 4215d

If you want to live in a place as authoritarian as Singapore, you're welcome to it.The UK has generally had a better balance on this kind of stuff.

John Walker ● 4215d

John Walker writes:I'm generally against unenforceable laws as it leads to a situation where people start to pick and choose which laws they agree with and comply withThis is really well put.  I guess it also goes some way to explaining (not justifying) why a minority of my fellow cyclists sometimes ride where they shouldn't and why so many smokers toss their still-lit fag butts onto the street.

Phil Kay ● 4215d

" I wonder how this would be policed? "The Swiss and Singaporeans don't have any problems with errant smokers in their public places - they fine one firmly with enormous penalties - result no anti-social smoking in public places. Easy peasy.

Gerry Tan ● 4215d

Personally I'd ban dogs in parks. I think more people are wary of dogs than the odd person puffing a fag.I think it's a step too far. I'd be in favour of non smoking zones in parks - near playgrounds, picnic benches, park cafe etc.I wonder how this would be policed? I'm generally against unenforceable laws as it leads to a situation where people start to pick and choose which laws they agree with and comply with. I personally wouldn't comply with this one, particularly if I were in in a big park with no other soul around. I wouldn't dream of lighting up on the same bench as non smokers and stick my butts in my back pocket.

John Walker ● 4215d