I am a scouser(female) never had much time for southerners,but after reading these reviews, good on yer,for supporting the smokers!I totally agree with what happened to our civil rights.non-smokers have always had a choice.Why cant landlords of pubs have a smoking room, like the old days.I agree with banning smoking in restaurants, to a certain degree,no-one likes smoke when they're eating,but pubs, it's ridiculous.!I am a smoker, but I have always had consideration for non-smokers, as many of the people here have too,the majority of us started when we were young, way before it was supposedly harmful!We enjoy a ciggy and a drink, they go together, my mum is aged 80yrs, she doen't smoke a lot, but she does enjoy a fag when going to the pub, needless to say, she has stopped going out now because she can't smoke.I think it;s a disgrace, especially for the old because for them it's a social thing. So no companionship except if someone visits. We should all get together and protest, but how

mrs p. nielson, Liverpool, england

I understand that action can only be taken against an illegal smoker by an environmental heath officer and not the Police. Such an officer has the power to interview an offender under caution, but he doesn't have the power of arrest. Therefore you can give him a false name and address. Make it sound convincing otherwise he can call the police who have the power of arrest if they suspect that the name and address you supply is false.
I recommend that you supply the name and address of any person who has upset you in the past which will prevent you from being fined and also give you the sweet smell of revenge.

P. Short, Bristol, UK

smokers are the most ignorant people i know . they light up and dont care where there smoke goes . and when they finish their cig its thrown on the floor . im working in a new house which is being built and the plumber and kitchen fitters are openly still smoking . the house smells of smoke and at break times its not pleasant. ignorant people .

m rowe, hartlepool, cleveland

I am a smoker - I have and do pay lots of money into the government coffers to attend to any ailment that I should suffer personally as a result of my habit.
Given that I am now an unclean person in the eyes of the non smokers, I hope that you are in a financial situation to deal with the inevitable increase in taxes due to the loss of revenue in cigarette sales, all areas of the entertainment arena (pubs, clubs, bingo, betting, cabs, taxis) but to name a few.

Ask the scotsman (unelected) prime minister where he is going to get the funds from when everybody stops smoking? Drinking? Driving? Breathing?

I have just left a pub that would normally be full to the brim. It is two thirds down on its attendance, for every night since the ban, and been driven home by a less than happy, non smoking cab driver. The pub has lost at least a half of it's regular clientele and even the tea-total cab driver agrees that a total ban is wrong!

As a non smoker you have always had the choice.

Ged Davison, NOTTINGHAM, England

I am a landlady , and I have not inforced the smoking ban in my pub , I have clear signs stating that mine is a smoking pub , the local paper has run a supporting story , and Ive had a lot of support from smoking and non smoking customers . Unfortunatly I seem to be the only pub in the county that is making a stand and today the brewery have threatened to take action to take my tenancy back , I dont believe that they can do this , but I dont want to fight them , and I cant afford to fight them . But come winter there is a good chance I will lose my pub anyway ! Im in a no win situation !

Helen, Kent , UK

its stupid how u have made the smoking ban and brought it into action were as i myself smoke and i cant have a ciggarrette outside the school building

nathan hewitt, crook, county durham

I am a none smoker (only gave it up 5 yrs ago because of the government ridiculous taxation). However, all my life I have worked in an entertainment/bar orientated environment and the ban is affecting my chance to earn a living. A lot of the people that I entertain have been through at least two wars and have put their lives on the line for the likes of most of us and in their declining years live for a pint and a smoke. How dare these 'do gooders' dictate to these heroes of our society.

dave ash, congleton, uk

talk about an infringement of civil rights i think the government has lost the plot. i am a member of 3 clubs, 1 private, 1 mens club, and the royal british legion. in fact every social club has its subcription fees and it should be down to a vote of its members as it should have been put to a nationwide referendum and not a bunch of cowboys in parliament. years ago every british soldier who fought in world war two was given 200 cigarettes in there rashions and theres a lot of veterans i know who are discraced at this imposed ban. they gave there lives for this country and its outrageous, a lot of them now unsteady on there feet who are coming to the end of there lives should be treated this way when all a lot of them have left now is to enjoy a quiet pint and a cigarette in there legion or pub/club. its time the british public stood up for themselves and put this to a vote if only i new how .....1 voice isnt enough but nationwide the government would have to listen

ben baker, edenbridge, kent

The Smoking ban is a waste of time because smokers like me don't like being told what to do, the goverment should have put it a vote to see if we wanted a ban in certain places, not to ban out right. I hope the people taking this issue to court will win as this smoking ban is against our human rights.

Claudine Jayne Sword, Braintree, Essex, England

As a smoker i think its a joke we cant even hold partys now at private venues because of "non smokers" SORRY but we pay for these venues and so what if they are above a bar / restaurant or w/e we paid we should be able to do as we please.
If non smokers dont like it then they can leave !.
As for them thinking its a great thing now just you wait a few years down the line when their taxes (not to mention OURS !) go sky high because the government lose their money on selling ciggys - wont be so happy smiley then eh.
This is not a free country anymore we are told what to do and how to live by robots ! These politicians have NO idea whatsoever - funny how back in the 60's they showed smoking to be a "cool" thing and promoted it to the back of their teeth - why... because it made THEM money.
Time this country sorted itself out and gave people back their freedom - all they are doing is running it into the ground clueless morons of politicians.

vix, reading,

If a Pub is a public place. Could someone tell me why the landlord, ( A private individual), has the right to throw me out ! Also, Do the council cig snoopers have the power of arrest and/or the legal right to demand my name and address?

Andy, Wakefield,

I've read all these comments and looked at other sites concerning this topic... the big picture which many of you have stated is not the fact of smoking but the point of being told what to do by a bunch of 'Not living in the real world' muppet politicians. Smoking is a something an individual has the right to do or not depending on that person. All you non-smokers I agree smoking in restaurants, clubs ect should be banned. Thats fine.... you can have 9 out of the 10 pubs in each town as non-smoking... but that one pub which says 'Smoking pub' (or should be) gives all us smoking adults the choice to enter and kill ourselves or not. The health do-gooders have all them clean pubs to mix in so whats the problem? You would have the choice? Me and the other millions of smokers in this country are not even given that choice! I used to love this country with a passion.. now its nothing... the people power no longer exists. Its about time we put the teeth back into the british bulldog!

John, Northants, ENGLAND

Why is it that so many non-smokers (there are, of course, many honorable exceptions) seem to believe a) that this law has been passed simply in order to protect them from nasty smells in places that they're not obliged to visit, and b) that that is a suitable reason for passing laws?

My advice is that if you have inadvertently entered a bar that permits smoking (in Greece, for example), and then made the perfectly understandable mistake of not noticing, for several hours, that people around you are smoking, you should leave as soon as you realise.
The evil after effects (smelly clothes and hair) can be dealt with by adopting the practice of changing your clothes and bathing. Many people do this daily.

Mark, London,

perhaps the 30 million pounds alloted to local goverment could de spent teaching its employees how to spot child abuse and how to prevent it, insted of searching for tab ends on a pub floor

simon, otley, yorkshire

When the government and the anti smoking fanatics tackle all other kinds of carcinogenic pollution such as car exhaust and factory emissions I may even take this crud seriously.

After all maybe it is the tiny amount of pollution smokers contributes to our atmosphere that causes the great palls of brown smog sitting over our cities and actually nothing to do with the millions of cars trucks buses and factories eh?

As usual it's pick on the little fellow with no clout rather than face up to the real problems of the day.

Andrew Shaw, leeds, england

i myself do not smoke thanfully and cannot stand breathing in second hand smoke ,i used to play for my local darts team and had to pack in due to my eyes waterig and the next day always have headache.l miss the darts and now thinking of going back as the hocky where you stand to play will be alot fresher , and my clothes wont smell like a old ashtray. my friend and i cannot wait to see what our local bingo hall like on thursday its looking good at last for us none smokers.hip hip horray for this ban.

c flintoft, northallerton, northyorkshire

After 35 years of frequenting pubs tonight was the last time I shall ever set foot in a pub again. who wants to spend an evening in a pub with a load of anti-smoking cranks?! I've never been able to understand why a non smoker would want to go to a pub anyway, that's what they are for - smoking and drinking! We are expected to pay high taxes on a pint but not allowed to enjoy it. The most sensible solution would have been to allow landlords to choose whether they want their pub to be smoke free or not, or even to force them to provide outside shelters for the non-smokers. There are three types of people in this country, smokers, non-smokers and a very small minority of ANTI-smokers. It is that small group of cranks that cause the trouble. This is the end of the British pub, the next step will be to allow children in.

Smoking related illnesses (especially so called passive smoking) have never been proven, its propaganda put out by the anti-smoking cranks. If all smokers suffered from lung cancer and non-smokers didn't one might think there was some truth in it but as many non-smokers suffer from it as smokers. Think of the billions of £s in taxes that smokers bring in, its them that keep the NHS going!

J.R. Spalding, Epsom, Surrey

"Officers do not have to ideentify themselves" !!!!

But any who enter my regular Pub can expect to be photographed & be published on a relevant local 'Gestapo' website.

Let us then show the world those Snoopers who prefer not to be identified and see how long they will be prepared to stay as such Council Gestapo agents.

R E Ramm, Lincoln, England

As a smoker in Scotland I have not found any major problems.
It is something that most people have come to accept and I have not seen anybody flout the law in pubs.

Ken, Glasgow, Scotland

what about long distance lorry drivers,have they to pull over everytime they want to light up.
pathetic?want to get out of this country,to many rules,dos and donts.
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING.

mike, bedfordshire,

I've noticed that it appears most non-smokers that go on about smelly clothes on their return from the pub obviously can't read, I'm a non smoker and only ever went into smoking bars when I was with my boy friend (Who never smokes in restaurants), when I go out with other friends we usually went into the non smoking bars, coz I can read and I'm not bias or extreme, so from this I conclude that more than 90% of non smokers are "extreme, single minded, fundamentalists" that are to lazy to wash their clothes or don't own a washing machine and can't read or think for themselves and what everything their own way !!!!!!

Patricia, TRIMDON VILLAGE, DURHAM

Absolutely pathetic is all I can say. I absolutely don't care where people smoke, have more important things to think about - lik e how to afford the astronomic council tax bills.

It is my choice where I go, and in my view a few smokers add to the character of the average pub, and in any case they are more interesting people. If you think about it most of them started smoking at about 14 because they were cool, and then went off to get some part time work to fund their purchases - ergo, they had more work experience and therefore in general have more insight into the real world.

Freya, London,

the ban says that you cant smoke in a company vehicle that has passengers. but you can smoke in a private vehicle that has passengers. what are they saying? second hand smoke in company vehicles is a killer and private vehicles are`nt? also this ban will put a lot of pubs/clubs out of buisiness. where has freedom of choice gone?

geoff smith, gillingham, kent, uk

First of all, I have no intention to stop smoking. I intend to light a fag where and whenever I feel like it. Secondly, smoking is not illegal and a cigarette is not an illegal substance. England has definitely become a police state, no doubt. What is next, alcohol, wearing compulsory work uniforms to work/! Oh, yes it will happen but hopefully I will not be here.

M H, Cambridge,

On no account should a total smoking ban be allowed ! That is pure fascism, those who are trying to enforce it are pure fascists, and as such are dangerous and should be fought tooth and nail as any dangerous fascist should.

The solution to the smoking/non-smoking problem is to have separate areas. That works perfectly well and there is no valid reason to change it. There is a lot of medical propaganda about smoking that is unproven or false, notably on the subject of passive smoking.

It is pure humbug. The rights of smokers are just as important as those of non-smokers and let no-one say otherwise. Hitler singled out the Jews in the 1930's just like people are singling out smokers now. It is very very dangerous and these people must not be allowed to get away with this, if only because it is an open door to other things .........alcohol, fatty foods, car exhaust fumes etc etc. Rail Travel is dangerous, air travel, cars on the road.

You could argue that anything is dangerous and that it should be banned. The argument just doesn't make sense. I have not one iota of doubt in my mind that these would-be banners are wrong and they must be stopped.


The other thing, the most hypocritical thing of all, is that if cigarettes were really as dangerous as they would have us believe, then their sale would be banned, wouldn't it ? Ah yes, but there is too much money involved. Cannabis, which is not dangerous at all, is banned ? Why? No-one knows, but it does containes less dangerous products than tobacco.

All this goes to prove that the government are a load of hyprocrites and should in no case be listened to. It's time the public stood up to these people who really take them for a bunch of idiots.

Vic, Bradford,

the point is, "freedom of choice " cant the goverment and thier so called experts see that they are splitting the people of this country, havent we got bigger problems then saying that people who have socalised together now cannot.

p.j, littlehampton, england

Look on the bright side at least we can have a fag in prison.

david stanyard, Higham on the Hill Nuneaton, England

First of all, I don't smoke...............
If we all let the goverment get away with this smoking ban un-challenged the effects will spiral out of control, next alchohol then fat laden foods and so on and so forth, the UK will become a police state !!!!!

If any cigarette manufacturers are reading this, you should all seriously force the goverment into a corner, its so simple, threaten to close all UK production and move to a smoker friendly Country to manufacter, so simple and I'm sure it would make the gaverment stand down.

All we need is freedom of choice, how bad would that be?

Patricia S, SEDGEFIELD, STOCKTON

"two words....roy castle (c browning,) died from passive smoking while entertaining over several years."

With great respects
he did not have to perform in a smokey venue - he had a choice - a choice which is not being extended to the smoker.

Bye the way I am an ex-smoker

Ian Hough, Alsager, Cheshire

To happy+healthy Roy Castle died of cancer not passive smoking and he was one man how many thousand entertainers are there that have not died?.

david stanyard, Higham on the Hill Nuneaton, England

The link to passive smoking and health tas still not been proved,Ihope the wingers are ready to pay extra taxes to cover the huge loss caused by this ban.It will be a sad day when all the rural pubs are forced to close as they are a vital part of the community and the anti shower wont keep them open.

david stanyard, Higham on the Hill Nuneaton, England

two words....roy castle (c browning,) died from passive smoking while entertaining over several years.

happy+healthy, essex,

it has brought most amusement to me that the only people saying its not fair are the smokers. Its a right to live not a right to help kill those around you, if u wanna smoke go outside why should others who work or want a night have to suffer health problems because some selfish non will powered individual thinks they have priority. The only good thing this governments done!next your all be saying oh its a free country "so lets have all the drug dealers on school grounds cos its a free country so y not, its not like there selling it to kids"please. plus at least this will help stop young impressionable children from smoking making it even easier for them being caught, as u all admit, it was when u were young u got hooked, so it will help prevent further generations.

happy+healthy, essex,

i work as a community nurse and my job is so so stressful so if i get in my car and lite a cig on my way to the next visit will i get done for it coz if u think about it work does not own my car and they dont pay me milleage but in another sense im still working so i have decided to ask a officer . but i think all this is bull s..t

nazia shah, nelson, england

I have just had a breathing test,and was told I have small airway damage due to passive smoking!! I am furious,and all that people are saying about 'a free country'etc....well,all I can say is I will be free to breathe clean air and hopefully recover from what smokers have inflicted on me!!

patricia allen, sheffield, yorkshire

I am a smoker although I dont actually smoke out in the street etc, I can see it being a bit of a problem as I would never walk down the street smoking, Ok I know a lot of you welcome the idea but the goverment has made billions out of smokers and yes I would like to quit but its not that easy and I dare anyone to say it is it has been proved nicotine is more addictive than herion. and although I am not really bothered ban or no ban what happened to this being a free country it seems to be getting more and more that everyone has to conform.

J Weir, Dudley, West Midlands

C. Browning, I would challenge you to provide proof that passive smoking has killed anyone.
Please provide proof and then I will stand corrected.
Are you one of those anti-smoking people who think it's fine to pollute smokers lungs with car exhaust?
An ex-college friend of mine smoked for many years but became depressed and ran a pipe from his car exhaust into the window of his car. He died rapidly and is now buried due to non-smoking related diseases.
I have been in train stations with smokng bans which are full of diesel fumes from the trains.
This is madness.

Phil Short, Bristol, UK

New laws, whatever or whomever they affect always generate sensationalised headlines and ill informed comments such as many of those here. In five years time we will all be wondering what the fuss was about and why we allowed smoking in public places for so long.
Would you really want to go back to pounds shillings and pence, and can anyone now really doubt the wisdom of seat belt and crash helmet laws, all pilloried at the time. Not all laws are good laws but on balance the overwhelming body of evidence is that this isn’t a bad one.

C Browning, Swindon,

Just realised what the title of this discussion is,

WOULD IT NOT BE BETTER TO TRAIN THE POLICE TO SPOT CRIME............................

KEN, SEDGEFIELD, STOCKTON

Hello Ken,

Yes I think you are sadly correct.
The next thing will be to ban home brew beer and wine.
This is becoming a very sad country indeed.

Phil Short, Bristol, UK

In reply to Mr Short.
The goverment will make back any lost revenue from smokers, they'll hit alchohol, its already in the news but as usual it'll be under the guise of "HEALTH" They won't up the drinking age to 21 they'll just up the tax, the £8-00p pint / short is just around the corner and it won't stop there, £20 for a bottle cheap wine...........................
Can only the few see whats happening?

Ken, SEDGEFIELD, STOCKTON

I suspect that the 12 month dispensation is to allow the government time to back track and reverse the law just in case too many pubs shut and too much tax revenue is lost.
Back in 1977 the "new smoking material" or NSM experiment
proved that the government were not really interested in public health but only in tax revenue.
Cigarettes with a percentage of a harmless tobacco substitute called NSM were taxed the same as ordinary cigarettes. People were not happy to pay full tobacco tax for a partial tobacco product. Rather than reducing the tax, the government withdrew them from sale. This proved beyond all doubt that the government only cared about revenue rather than public health. If every smoker gave up, the government would be in serious financial trouble and would have to raise income tax by 9% to recover the lost revenue. I wonder if the anti smoking brigade are willing to pay an extra 9% income tax to achieve their aims. I suspect not.

P. Short, Bristol, UK

Will someone tell me why th Houses of Parliament have a 12 month dispensation on the smoking ban till July 01st 2008?..................................

Ken Santi, SEDGEFIELD, STOCKTON ON TEES

I am not a smoker, but I strongly object to the draconian measures being taken against anyone who enjoys a cigarette. This has been a legal pastime for hundreds of years, but the 'do gooding lot' have jumped on the 'we know wot's best for you' bandwaggon, and the smoking fraternity has become criminalised. To add insult to injury, on top of the ban will be an immediate fine of £80 for dropping a cigarette end - and millions of pounds are being spent, 'training' council staff ?? for what? To identify a 'fag end' presumably !!??? Wow!! Such progress.
QUESTION ??
What would have the greatest effect on your health and wellbeing?
a) Evidence of drug users
b) Graffiti on public buildings and walls
c) High criminal activity
d) Litter
e) Leftover food from local take-away outlets
f) Chewing gum on pavements
g) Paedophile lollipop man
h) Kids who have 'earned' ASBO's for being cruel to
animals.
i) The chap who lives next door enjoys a cigarette

GET REAL!

Sandra, Scarborough,

I am sick and fed up with this governments overbearing attitude, my Grandfather fought in the second world war to give me FREEDOM where is it.? This goverment is clamping down on legal activities while letting participants in illegal activities get away with it. I say clean up all the illegall drug use first along with illegal immigrants theft,burgulary,rape,mugging,murder etc then worry about the legal activities, last time i looked this was supposed to be a free country. Blair has succeeded where Hitler failed he has this once,great and powerfull country on its knees what has happened to the British Bulldog attitude or are we all a bunch of useless wingeing wimps these days.

A SHORT, BRISTOL, ENGLAND

Why sdhould a perso who does not smoke have to breath other peopes dirty breath . And also have to wash your clothes when ( because of the stink) they go out for a evenings entertainment

joe soap, chesterfield, derbyshire

It shows just what an unthoughtful society this government thinks we are. If I smoke and someone asks me politely if I could go elsewhere or put it out, I do. Its common sense. I will just stop because Im polite, as are most smokers. I dont need a law to tell me how to be polite.

I would understand if they made tobacco illigal and then enforced a law, not that I would agree, but to make a law that says its legal as long as you do it where we want it seems a bit daft. What about leaning out of windows and doorways?

I also think that the government plays a dangerous game if it bans smoking from cars, which constitute as the persons own property. If a person objects to smoking in the car, then you dont have to give them a lift.

Im not for or against smoking, Im trying to give up, but this law scares me as it interferes to closely with peoples decisions. Somewhere in the midst of this we've decided smokers have less rights than non smokers, and why?

Ashley, Surrey, UK

When they have got rid of the 'smokers', who pay the biggest amount to the NHS,what then?, they are going to hit the car owners with more car tax,fuel tax anything to bleed us of the money we earn,the cars will be of the road because we can't afford to run them,so we're stuck with the great british transport(yea, right) that goes nowhere or strike threats, so we have more unemployment that no-one can afford to keep.

So, no money, no work,no life. Have a happy future.

micheal, great yarmouth, U.K

I think its wrong to ban smoking in public places. Where and what will be next on the list of things to be banned. 98% of the people i know smoke and i think i speak for everyone that smokes by saying its wrong for banning it. I think we should be able to do what we like being the tax payers of the country. What would they say if we stopped paying our taxes.

Sam, Trowbridge, UK

As an ex- smoker I was not looking forward to the smoking ban at all! I didn't like the thought of having my rights of choice taken away from me. However I have recently found out I am pregnant and being very good gave up straight away ! So I see it from both sides - its not fair if you smoke - especially at work I do feel you should be allowed to go to an allocated area in your paid break. I have seen collegues go without food, drink and a sit down in thier break so they can run off site to find a spot to smoke!
On the other hand, the smell of smoke makes me want to gag - why should I have to put up with that!

I dont think all you harden smokers would object to moving outside for a fag if a 8 month pregnant women was standing behind the bar whilst you blew you smoke rings in her face - Banning it from all public places is stupid and ruinng everyones relaxation/businesses. Allocated outside smoking areas - yes. In bars/ pubs/resturants/ places of work away from people working.

mrs b, sussex, england

Where do they get the figures from that less people smoke than do smoke. I don't know anyone apart from my Mother who does not smoke. This ban is infringing on our human rights. We do not have freedom in this country anymore as we are run by a dictatorship. However, what has happened to the British people. Years ago we would not have been dictated to and like minded people on a subject would have gone our in the street and protested so much, someone would have had to listen to us. Same as the council tax, everyone just sits back and takes it and puts up with it. the only real people to protest have been a few elderly people. Come on Britain, don't keep sitting back and putting up with things, just moaning behind closed doors, which doesn't do anyone any good, its time to get out there and make someone listen. this smoking ban is unecessary and a cover up for industrial waste, rubbish put in our food and a hundred other things that cause cancer. Its time for action not words.

S. Verrinder, Haywards Heath, England

its all a load of bollocks its twice as bad 4 smokers who have to go outside and inhale buses cars etc aswell as own fags fuck em

me not him, funnyfarm, shithole

I have smoked for 45years and now I can not enjoy my much needed ciggy, whilst working a 10hour night shift with elderly people with dementia, unless I go out in the street in the middle of the night.
I have paid thousands of pounds in taxes for cigs which go to hospitals which I have hardly used what about the people who have paid nothing.
Where is our feedom of choice, I respect people who do not smoke, but all I get is critisised even thought I have worked for the health services for 40years

janet crofts, Henley-in-arden, England

Tyrany by a majority over a sizeable minority! a slippery slope... state control, nanny state, social control, invasion of privacy. It might be smoking now, but what next?

mark, belfast, n ireland

The reasoning behind the ban is second-hand smoke contains harmful chemicals, like petrol and diesel fumes do and fumes from burning plastic windows.
I do not want to breathe other people's fumes when I use my bike so why arn't cars, busses, lorries etc being banned from releasing their toxins into the air too?
Why havn't dangerous uPVC window's been banned etc
This is a 'smoke' screen to cover-up the fact that so many chemicals from pesticides, fertilisers, petroleum products have been released and they are the real cause. But it is easier and cheaper to blame individuals who could not be sued than conglomerate companies or the government for spraying DDT in the 60's and all other toxic products that have decimated our ecology before and since.
My stepfather was diagnosed with Cancer & told he had got it from smoking - his own fault -not the mdf or creosote he used as a joiner or the embalming fluid he used in the undertakers. How can they be so sure who to blame?

anna, Islington, England

I still can't believe this law. You can't even decide to provide an indoor smoking room for staff who smoke if you want to? Outdoor enclosure's are NOT ALLOWED? Why not? Even Pig breeders MUST provide enclosures for outdoor animals!
"We Have Ways of making you - stop"
Who the hell voted for this infringement of human rights?
Why wasn't there a referendum asking the people what they want?

Sod this - I'm taking my professional qualification and leaving for the Caribbean on the first available flight.
Adios no amigo's

Carol, London, England

What the Hell has happened to this once great country of ours?
I have always believed that this was the best country in the world to live in (except possibly for the weather).
I am a business man. I employ people. I create wealth. I pay taxes. Just how much longer are we expected to put up with this "We know what's best for you" dictatorship? Is it any wonder that so many of the country's most productive people are leaving this country in droves.
In our offices we have always respected our non-smoking employees right to clean air by keeping a seperate smoking area. Just how dare the state tell me what I can and can't do in my own PRIVATE offices? How much longer will it be before they infitrate our homes aswell? They are already in our rubbish bins (which is probably the best place for them), they monitor our every move, they intend to bug our cars, make us carry ID cards and always with the same excuse " It's for your own good" The only thing George Orwell got wrong was the date!

Richard Huckle, London,

this is a good idea

ryan, leicester, england

It is about time. If people don't shower and smell real real bad you wouldn't want them standing beside you either, none the less they would most probably not be allowed to enter the venue.

Smokers, we shower as not to disturb you, and others who are not as feeble minded, alike. It is quite funny how you need legislation put in place to help you along in showing common decency and respect to those around you.

Rick, Chelsea,

Greg from Dewsbury has a selfish attitude, just the reason I stopped going in pubs. From this summer I shall actually be able to enjoy a beer with no unpleasant smells. When you give up everyone will be in better health, including you!

phil stilliard, twickenham, middx

England is not Scotland
The reaction against the smoking ban will not be the same as Scotland, Canada,New Zealand and Ireland.
This law which discriminates against about 30% of the population is something a child dreams up because he dislikes the smell of smoke.
Pubs over the last twenty years have opened no smoking rooms and these have not worked, the non smokers always crowd into the smoking room as the people in there are more interesting than non smokers.
Live and let live, people are living to a very old age today and a majority of them smoked.
Why do people wish to deprive others of something that they enjoy, a choice should be available, smoking and no smoking pubs I know the one that would be most profitable .

Greg, Dewsbury, England

...but someone has to keep these "jobsworths" in work ...

... I totally support non-smoking... but we don't need any more uneducated, incompetent local government officials who glory in their power ... but could not find a job in the public sector ..

Howard, Milton keynes, UK

I thought citizens in the United Kingdom had freedom. Some freedom................ I choose to smoke, I am not a monster with two heads as portrayed so often these days and would never dream of smoking in a restaurant or around people who do not, but the fact that smokers are so discriminated against these days is appalling. Look what happened when this legislation came into force in Dublin, lower turnover in the pubs although I do agree that the atmosphere is much better. Let us hope that ashtrays will be provided on the streets of this country as they do in Dublin so that smokers can still enjoy a cigarette without offending people. Don't forget that the tax from the sale of cigarettes goes to pay for healthcare for everyone not just smokers!!!!

Beverley, Somerset, England

Sokers are vile to pump their filthy toxins into the air for us to inhale- fine them until they stop it.
Cigarette smoke makes me feel it and poisons me from the inside against my will.

Andrew, London, UK

More propaganda from the law makers using scare tactics to control smokers after the law comes into force.

In Glasgow we were told there will be hundreds of compliance officers. In reality, there are probably two or three. Glasgow council will not tell you how many there actually are, but by the number of fines issued over the past 11 months it is obvious they are few and far between.

Everyday I see breaches of the smoking laws. Eg smoking in pub doorways, smoking on buses, smoking in commercial vehicles etc. But, only three fines have been issued in Glasgow since March 2006.

Midghall, Glasgow,

So this Government called itself "New Labour" for very good reason..............it was far more left wing Communist than the original party ever knew how to be, and has achieved all its aims by the back door.................how pleased Philby and his ilk can be. Blair should reflect on how many lives were given to keep this country free and how they will be there to meet him on his decease.

Roz Venner, ST NEOTS, England

Why the focus on the word "police?" Enforcement will be the last thing that any Council will want.

A great deal of effort is being expended now to make sure all employers know what the new law requires them to do.

The Government haven't yet provided clear guidance on the new Regulations to businesses (expected "around Easter"), so Council Officers are doing the best they can to help employers plan for the new law.

Dave Carlisle, Buxton,

I feel the ban is a good idea. Even though I am smoker, the one thing I can not stand is smoke whilst trying to enjoy a meal in a restaurant. But for God's sake - £29.5 million!!!

Wouldn't that money be more beneficial going to the NHS?

Dan Turton, York, North Yorkshire

I think it is an excellent idea that the new smoking ban will be properly enforced. If laws are not effectively enforced, people are less motivated to take them seriously.

We already know that local councils are going to support local businesses to comply, and that undercover enforcement is most unlikely. I wonder if this is as sensationalist story contrived by the media?

The smoking ban is going to be good for everyone’s health but especially for the people who currently work in places filled with smoke. It seems that similar laws in Ireland and Scotland have been well received without much non-compliance. If the same pattern follows in England, and people follow the new law, then no one should be fined and this whole debate will have been a waste of time.

The majority of people don’t smoke and I think most people, like me, are looking forward to clean air from 1 July!

Al Bryant, London,

I suppose the snoopers will pick on individual people, letting rowdy groups to carry on as usual.
One more nail in the coffin of freedom.

Trevor D. Evans, Drulingen, France

ibelieve it is disgraceful that in britain the bastion of and indeed the cradle of democracy people should be dictated to by the state. democracy is all about choices and if i wish to smoke and the publican is minded to so allow me, then that is a choice i can exercise if i so choose. politics has gone way over the top and b and it is quite loopy.

faraz shauketaly , colwyn bae, cymru

I am still in total shock that in a free country the state can tell owners of private business' what can go on in their premises.

Surely a landlord should be able to make the decision as to whether smoking should allowed in his premises, mark it clearly, and let the punters decide whether they wish to enter.

I hope these council staff are being properly equipped to deal with drunken and aggressive people being told what to do on a night out. I still consider a link between the sudden advent of air rage a few years ago coinciding with the airlines banning smoking - I can see much worse booze fuelled scenes i the future.

I havn't smoked in 18 months, but if there is one thing likely to start me again is beaurocrats telling me I shouldn't

Chris M, CHORLEY , LANCS.

How long does it take to train someone to smell smoke?

Stuart allan, Halifax, W Yorks

This is a waste of £29 million of public money. In this country we do not need spies to see that we are keeping the law with regards to not smoking. Use the money for something really useful and leave the general public to enforce the law. Why not use it to do a cost effective study on council employees and other civil servants. I am a non-smoker.

Judy Nickless, Warminster, England

Dear Chris,

this country stopped being free when what I call "The Health and Ecology Teleban" took over this country through pressure groups, seats in Parliament and Government and high profile meadia coverage. They managed to destroy freedom gained over centuries in a mere decade.

It is indeed time to stand up to the oppressors, know-alls and do-gooders.

Pat, London, England

I think it is fantastic and should of happend sooner, smoking in public places is in the intrest of only those who smoke, whereas it is in the intrest of all when the ban comes into effect. Most smokers I know say it would be ten times easer to quit if when they went out for a drink the whole pub was not full of smoke, it will be a breth of fresh air!!!

KHanz, Wirral,

Would this action of filming or photographing people be in breach of their human rights?

A.Baker, London,

Kids murdered in London, illegal immigration is at its highest for centuries, people trafficking and smuggling is going on at our ports and inland on a daily basis, terrorists are arguable threatening our everyday lives with plots to kill many, gun crime and narcotics crime are rising, poverty and bankruptcy are rising, children are unhappy and neglected in this country (and burdened with huge debts by the time they are educated!), bird flew, foot and mouth, a health care system on the brink of collapse, a prison service overburdened, corrupt politicians are governing the country and being investigated by the police, while we're engaged in a "war on terror" at the ends of the world....

No, we have nothing better to do than train county council staff to enforce a smoking ban. Well done and a chuck on the shoulder to all the do-gooders installing a "regime of health terror" on this country.

Pat, London, England

The rights of non smokers to enjoy a night out without going home smelling like an ashtray have long been ignored and I for one welcome some kind of ban.
However, i feel that the blanket ban has gone too far and that certain establishments e.g. those that do not serve any food, could have been given the right to allow smoking.
As most outlets rely on food there would no doubt be plenty of places with a smoke free atmosphere, whilst leaving a selection of 'smoking' estabishments.
The key word here is 'choice' which we seem to be losing in this nanny state society.

Sean L, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan

I am still in total shock that in a free country the state can tell owners of private business' what can go on in their premises.

Surely a landlord should be able to make the decision as to whether smoking should allowed in his premises, mark it clearly, and let the punters decide whether they wish to enter.

I hope these council staff are being properly equipped to deal with drunken and aggressive people being told what to do on a night out. I still consider a link between the sudden advent of air rage a few years ago coinciding with the airlines banning smoking - I can see much worse booze fuelled scenes i the future.

I havn't smoked in 18 months, but if there is one thing likely to start me again is beaurocrats telling me I shouldn't

Chris M, CHORLEY , LANCS.

maybe they should be 'trained ' to suss out gun carrying members of the public............or perhaps the smoking public is an easier option? The country and government have gone totally crazy........................

stevie jenkins, dorchester, dorset UK

What next? "Cake and Sweetie police" "Anti wine" inspectors to check on how much you drink in your house? Believe me it could become true! Next thing they will be able to enter your home.You could not make it up.
What another waste of money, money that can always be found when new "rules" come into force, but never for the real needs of our society. Our streets ruled by yobs and guns, never a policemen insight, but plenty of "Blairite" appointed officials with even more powers to take money off people who actually go to work!

patrick brock, Walton, England surrey

What a farce! It sounds like this government is more interested in spending ridiculous amounts of money on ridiculous charges, rather than taking notice of current affairs such as the recent increases in gun culture, crime on the street and the fact that in many cities, you can no longer walk out after the sun has gone down for fear of being attacked by yobs.

David, Preston, Lancashire

What a total waste of money,because we all know who is going to pay,another rise in council tax, to pay for peoplle to snoop on people,whoever dreamed this one up should pay for it themselves, or be put out to grass,what a prat.

EPMorfitt, Chard, Somerset

How curious that Government take away funds for police who defend society against criminals, while at the same time ploughing £29.5 million into training a thousand new "inspectors" to wage its war on smoking. Perhaps some of the former police who will be jobless can be hired to stamp out this new and more heinous form of lawlessness!

But the master plan is becoming obvious. The prisons are overcrowed. Judges are being told by the Home Secretary and senior judges not to confine convicted criminals who prey on the public. So, why are police even necessary?

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

We are institutionalised from a young age and taught not self sufficiency but dependency, and so we are prepared to fit into THE SYSTEM.
Civil liberties; smoking, drinking, free speech and the remaining must be eradicated .

Next they will be telling us that the global warming scare mongering is not a premise to get all countries under a Euro flag through setting up global committee's, but a real deep rooted respect for the Earth.

Lee, Dartford, Kent