Someday all the smokers will be using an electric cigarette,
A friend of mine bot a Crown7 and all the people that used to yell at him are no longer offended.This will be the future of smoking.

James, Los Angeles, USA

What makes this newsworthy is the fact that it was an unusual event, so before we start blaming the Labour government etc, and doing down the entire youth of today, recognise that things like this do not happen very often, and they are just as likely to happen in the UK as other countries.

Matt, Singapore, Singapore

I'm very sad to see that Great Britain, land of our forefathers, is also afflicted with this invasion of barbarians from within (our own children). Nigel/CA: American youth are every bit as bad and worse. Our youth are corrupted by the media and libs while we stand by. Gangs/rap are a huge problem.

Mary Reynolds, San Antonio, Texas, US

Tammy from Montana. it's not the British football players that are the problem, it's the fans. Re: sport in Berkeley. our college football team is often in the nation's top 25. don't recall seeing a team from Montana there.

Nigel, Berkeley, CA, USA

There is hope for a society in general if there is horrified outcry over a single particular act. Look how many of you care! Also, don't be so hard on the bystanders. It looks as though this happened in an instant, before anybody knew what was going on. They lept to her aid as soon as they could.

Cynthia, Melbourne, Fla., USA

E Jonas. Does this logic apply to open air train platforms where the risk of passive smoking is nil unless you stand so close to a smoker you are invading their personal space?

Every non-smoker who drives a car has contributed to pollution to a greater degree than someone smoking in the open air.

danny, pompey,

To "Mark from London":- It is high time that people like you started to wise up. We all have rights as members of society. With those rights also go duties and obligations. One of those duties is to obey the law. If you don't like it, then you are free to leave. I won't cry after your departure.

Ben Hastings, Farnham, UK

Criminality in Britain is now lower than a number of years ago. This must be true because our Labour government told us that this is so.! We live in a country where people normally break the law, whatever it is, people ignore it. I see people driving with a phone clamped to their ear every day

Phil de Buquet, Newport,

The trouble with people intervening in situations like this is their ability or inability to convey their message in a manner not likely to cause offence. In a society which is ever becoming more resentful and powerless, a target to vent your anger on is highly desirable. Do not lecture angry people

mark, maidstone, uk

An example of how the culture raises children...to do what they want...when they want. Blame the generation that raised them. Look back on the merits of faith in God and formation in virtue. Its time to get serious because the kids will kill you now if you have the audacity to tell them what to do!

Laureen, Alberta, Canada

To Nigel from the USA--
I would think football would curb violence on these teens as it would certainly burn their energy.

I forget though, you're from Berkeley California where anything that involves sports or anything military is considered dangerous and violent.

Hey! We all can't be hippies.

Tammy, Montana, USA

This sort of thing is commonplace. The only thing that makes it noteworthy is that it was smoking-related, and as such panders to anti-smoking hysteria.
There should never have been a smoking ban in the first place. Some journeys can take hours, a long time if you are a smoker.

Tony Collins, Redruth,

The police, government ask citizens to be "have a go heroes" - what a joke. Innocent people are defenceless in the face of the criminals with no police or fellow men to help them. To all the animals saying she deserved it, did the bouncer deserve it too who was shot dead confronting smokers indoors?

Tom Cody, london, England, GBR

Apparently it is beyond the wit of man to allocate smoking areas and train carriages for smokers. Then everybody would be happy.
But that would mean CHOICE. And that word is anathema to our masters.

Tony Collins, Redruth,

The people who did this should be removed from society as they are a danger to it.

George , Southgate London , England

Robert of London.

NO WE DON'T.

Mike, St Paul Minnesota, USA

Crime was just as bad under the Conservitives

Graham, Swansea, UK

I though stations had cameras on these days-it should therefor be easy to find these people..
Also if these people were smoking why was this lady left to confront them where were the station staff? No doubt there were none share holders and profits are far more important than a passenger.

paul farmer, london, uk

These people should be prosecuted for attempted murder. It’s as simple as that.

Chris, Bristol,

There is no reason why this crime should not be prosecuted as attempted homicide. It is objectively evident that death is a likely consequence of their intended action. They should be looking at at least 35 years and serve a minimum of 20. That's what they'd get in the US.

Tony Rippa, Salt Lake City, US

We need to understand their pain, and get down to the root causes.

robert, London,

This is part of the progression to lawlessness upon which Great Britain has embarked. Victims are punished and criminals are freed - what's not to like about criminal behaviour?

Wright, Minneapolis , US

This story has nothing to do with smoking- rather it brings the underlying issue of a morally degraded youth to the fore. As a 23 year old South African living in the UK I am constantly aware of the aggression and disregard for human rights which has become so prominent in the youth today.

Susan Buchanan-Clarke, London, England

I only wish I could believe any custodial sentence was forthcoming in the event of a charge and prosecution.
The reality is that even if caught they will be able to stick two fingers up to the authorities(such that we have left).
God help us all ? Way too late I'm afraid.

Michael Ross, North Yorks, UK

As an American I must say I am shocked by how brazen some of these crimes are. We have plenty of criminals here, but they at least try to be sneaky about it. If this particular event happened here the two offenders would have been pummeled by bystanders and then held for the police.

Jason, Rush, USA

Two or three people to hep the lady of the lines and the rest of the station to 'detain' the two offenders until the police arrive. Even now reasonable force IS acceptable. Having seen the violence they were willing to perpetrate then three or four adults per offender would be acceptable

Richard, Barnsley, South yorks

People are so quick to blame the labour government whenever things go wrong. Things were just as bad 10 years ago, under conservatives, which is why everyone was so relieved when labour won the election.

Judges are to blame, for doling out such lenient sentences, ignoring government legislation!

Susan Lythgoe, Bolton, lancashire

3% of adult males are psychopaths. Watch what you say to strangers.

Gerard, London, UK

I believe the live rail is actually 675 volts, with a back-linked reflex earthing system that makes a fatality very unlikely. The fall itself would be more dangerous, especially in Kent where the ground is a very hard clay subsoil.

Ashley Arnold, Windsor, UK

why so much youth violence from your country? i always thought of the uk as a safe area.

eric, south bend, indiana, usa

This brave lady challenged their antisocial behaviour, (as every citizen should all be able to do safely in this country) .
I applaud her actions and am distressed that she was on the receiving end of such horrific thuggery. I hope that those responsible will be charged with attempted murder.

Alphonso, Gloucester, UK

I would comment but apparently all people my age are in a "serious lack of basic morals and education in today's Britain. Young people don't read or know anything about history or societal development thus have no frame of reference or perspective." Alistair of the Netherlands.

Anne, Nottingham,

Dear Greg of Wigan:

The situation in the UK is far worse than here in Holland, despite our sentencing being even more ludicously lenient than in the UK.

I agree that sentencing is far too light, but if you are looking for reasons for the violence in British society, you need to look a lot deeper.

Richard, Groningen, Holland

Come to Colchester, where railway staff not only turn a blind eye to smoking on the platforms, but one of them himself is regularly lighting up at the end of one of the platforms.. The company, National Express East Anglia, has utter contempt for the law, so what can you expect from passengers..

Steven Davidson, Colchester, England

To Nigel, Berkeley,USA. Thanks for pointing out that 'fact' about youth in the UK. Here's another fact: Foetus Snatching, cold blooding killings in which a pregnant woman is butchered for her unborn baby. Only 8 instances of this in the world. All in the USA. We've all got problems so wise up please

Nathalie , Chester , UK

maybe we should start reflecting on our human rights over criminals!!! they simply dont care as they know they would be treated human in the priosn!!!!

Olive, Kent,

You can generally smoke in the open air most places in the UK but in the case of stations which are part covered, part not, it was much simpler to just ban smoking throughout.

And as a non-smoking commuter with asthma, I'm very glad to have a smoke free environment when waiting for the train.

Nigel, London,

I am tired of young hooligans and their warped sense of reality. Cowards! I'd love to have been on that platform to assist the woman who was standing up for herself, for legality and decency, to have meted out a little of my own justice. This is not just the UK's problem. It happens everywhere.

Brian Guthrie, Omaha, USA

James Somerfield is quite wrong to say that the situation is far worse in Canada and the USA. There is far more violent crime in the UK than any other developed western country, and this is largely due to the lack of punishment for criminals in the UK.

greg, wigan,

To everyone - the smoking is irrelevant in this story

I smoke and sometimes I do think that it's stupid that I cant smoke outside but pushing a middle aged woman off a platform for telling you the law is a murderous act.

To all the smokers ( of which I am one ) get off your high moral horses

Seb, Edinburgh, GB

I hope they get 10 years too, but they will probably get 6 months and get off in 3 months with good behaviour!

Jacqui, Surrey,

If she's 58, it's quite unlikely that she was pregnant. Witness testimony is notoriously unreliable, we don't actually know what happened or what the background is to this, except for a bit of gossip. I will reserve judgement for now, plenty of time to get outraged when all the facts are known!

Sarah, London, UK

What a terrible thing, I hope the woman is OK and that they catch and punish the 'youths'.

However, I do feel it is ridiculous that smoking is banned in the open air. Britain is going to the dogs.

I thank the lord I no longer live in the UK.

Betty, Limassol, Cyprus

Hang on, the Headline is Youths throw woman on railway line...... If the perpertrators were indeed early to mid 20's they were grown men. Please don't give the Daily Mail any more incentive to blame all bad things in our country on the 'youth of today'.

jon, Wrexham, UK

Why should private individuals not be allowed to smoke when and where they please? How about the my right to not have to breathe in someone else's smoke? How about taking other people into consideration? Common decency is sorely lacking in this country, why did someone not stop these criminals?

E. Jonas, Crystal Palace,

James Brown, Manchester (and others) - that's a non-sequitur if ever I heard one. This isn't about smoking or non-smoking and the rights/wrongs thereof (and I'm a smoker myself), it's about assault. Try to think clearly before sounding off on this HYS

Mark, Worthing, UK

James Brown, of manchester of England is not a good citizen of England. why should you say a government law should be disobey because of bad habit, i think you should be investigated. And those two couprit should be arrested for disobeying government law and attempeted murderer.

Denedo Elizabeth, Lagos, Nigeria

I cannot believe that some people feel this poor lady deserved such treatment.

Even if she was in the wrong (which she wasn't, it was a no smoking area) then could they not argue their case with an intellectual response/debate and not throw her on the tracks?!

Imagine it was your wife ...

Lee, Longfield nr Farnborough, Kent

James Brown - This is not a platform for smokers rights and it cannot be an EXCUSE for such violent behaviour. If I am wrong then we should pass a decree that allows smokers attempt to murder someone everytime they feel hard done by. Grow up

Simon, London,

Withheld, Surrey

The idea of prison is not to "like it", it is supposed to be a deterrent. But inmates get luxuries they do not deserve. It's been said time and again that what this scum need is discipline that they have missed out on. The best way of getting that is national service.

Matt, Birmingham,

It is attempted murder and typifies the loutish culture and lack of respect that Labour have cultivated over the past 10 dreadful years.

Richard , Nottingham,

for the Canadians, Americans, and expatriates who always use these kinds of cases to declare how horrible life in England is, I would point out the horror stories occurring daily in your own countries that are far worse than this. Most people to obey the law in this country, including most youth.

James Somerfield, Cambridge, England

I hope the BTP get these people soon and they get 10 years for attempt murder - what else do you call it when a woman is thrown onto a live railway line? Even if the electricity doesn't kill her a train would have done so if it had arrived before she was rescued. I hope she makes a quick recovery.

John Phillipson, Lincoln,

there is something very sad about youth in Britain today. Their violence at football matches is legendary, and crimes like this one seem to become ever more frequent. what's gone wrong? i agree with another blogger - America has a lot of crime problems, but the youth don't behave like this.

Nigel, Berkeley, CA, USA

Factfile: According to the BBC website, the "pregnant" woman was 58, and the "youths" were white and in their 20s.

But yes, no one should be harmed for simply repeating an existing law. And may smokers accept it or not, people smoking next to you is disgusting and annoying (and unneccessary)

Kate, midlands,

i'd just like to add, that there is no excuse for throwing anybody on a railway line.

this is attempted murder over the most trivial of matters.

i hope those responcible are sent to prison for a long, long, time!!!!!

richard, gibralter,

Few will be surprised if - despite more CCTV than anywhere else in the world - police fail to apprehend the suspects. Even fewer will be surprised if they get off with a mere slap on the wrist. There is no reason why a custodial sentence of at least 10 years should not be applied.

Alex McGregor, Plymouth, UK

There is no such thing as society. Why should private individuals not be able to smoke where and when they please, without being dictated to by a "conservative" government and its self-proclaimed policemen?

James Brown, Manchester, England

I don't know if you are aware of this, but prison is not exactly a "padded playcell". It's a massively overcrowded starting point for mental health problems, drug abuse and violent behaviour with no decent facility for health treatment or follow-up care. I bet you wouldn't like it!

Withheld, Surrey,

That is awful.

Another innocent victim of the smoking ban.

James, Rochdale,

I seem to remember some cobblers in a Labour manifesto a few years ago (1997?) about being "tough on crime, and tough on the causes of crime". Part of that should be doing something about the feral minority who are steadily removing the Great from Great Britain!

Chris, London, UK

Maybe Jim in Exeter will think twice if he is set upon by disrespectful youths!

Mark, Dartford, England

I wonder will their fine be larger or smaller than that imposed on people for over filling their bins!

Claire , Southampton , UK

Anthony Fonseka,
I grew up in the US and the youth there are much MUCH better behaved than the ones I have seen in the UK. The UK was once the most civilized places on the planet and in my view is slowly circling the drain. Stop bad mouthing America if you have never lived there

Matt, london, england

'What youngsters get up to today' is what they've always got up to! Well done for the woman for asking them to stop- I've seen many people smoking on stations since the ban and they always get away with it. If I were pregnant I wouldn't want people smoking around me either!

Madeline, London, UK

To Jim from Exeter:


Your disappointing attitude is an unfortunate reminder of how Britain has reached such proportions of lack of respect and basic good manners. Perhpas you'll think twice in future about making such statements - its clearly gives one an unique impression about you!

Michelle, London,

Not so long ago the following was published:

POLICE chief has urged the public to be 'have-a-go heroes'.

Northumbria Police's chief constable, Mike Craik, said ordinary people should challenge rowdy behaviour, such as drinking or swearing, to improve society.

So now we see what happens.

Geoff, Manchester, UK

Barry- Why should she stand by in a public place being subjected to cigarette smoke blown in her face and having to turn up for work stinking of smoke?

Andy, Sheffield,

Not only should these youths be punished (if caught) but also the parents for raising them to have no respect to other people or the law.

sam , Preston,

funny how just days ago we had to sit reading rubbish about not travelling to the Caribbean, a perfectly safe and tranquil place, through fear of being attacked... britain needs to wake up and realise it is not a special case and must deal with it's many problems accordingly

Rob, Madrid,

Ah! the pride and future of Britain - at it again. I am sure a liberal leftie will be quick to point out that these are just kids and meant no harm!!!!!!!!!!

Prabhat, Uk,

This is a turn about. Usually smokers are in real physical danger from rabid, hate mongering anti-smoker's who are often verbally abusing them. People have learned to HATE smoker's to the point of walking across an open field outdoors to say their smoking is bothering them.

Keats, Syracuse, USA

Thatchers Grandchildren.

Let's disenfranchise a huge swathe of a whole generation. Leave them poor and uneducated and with no stake in society and see what happens when their kids have kids.

Oh, we already did and this is the result.

Tony, Bristol, England

Tougher sentences! Prison also doesn't work. We need to look at all the issues. Uninterested and under educated classes giving birth, no respect for anything or anyone, no hope for children, prison not working and just encouraging criminals to carry on being criminals!

Rebecca, Wetherby, UK

Typical of todays youths! We have to really start getting tough...long sentences wher they have to work and learn some respect. I would gladly volunteer to be a "minister of Common Sense" in any Governemnt. The Governement need to start listening to ordinary people

Sue, South Norwood,

Zero tolerance and harsh punishment is the only way. Unfortunately, harsh punishment will offend a minority that peddle the human rights card at the smallest opportunity. They forget all humans have rights, and this woman has the right to feel safe when she steps out of her door every morning.

M McMinn, London, UK

How dare anyone presume to infringe the Human Right of young people to behave exactly as they wish, to smoke, to be anti-social and to display such agression as they want? Those youngsters are the products of the Blair years. Get used to it.

Bruce Burniston, Swansea, UK

If you commit a crime you should lose your rights on the spot. Furthermore, let's find a quarry that we can put them all in and do some hard labour for the maximum time possible. Then provide a vasectomy so they can't provide this once great country with anymore additions to their ilk.

Joe, Bath,

Send the two youths to jail for life ( and that's not 15 years out in 5 ... I mean life! )

Richard, London, UK

Why ban smoking on an open air platform in the first place and why try and enforce a silly law in the first place???

Especially when it's not your job and your pregnant and have the safety of your child to worry about.

Arthur, London, UK

There is a serious lack of basic morals and education in today's Britain. Young people don't read or know anything about history or societal development thus have no frame of reference or perspective. Everything is about sensation rather than substance. Imprison them - there they can learn meaning.

Alastair Hayward, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Barry Broach, I'm assuming that if she was pregnant she was simply asking them not to smoke near her for the sake of her unborn child.

Amy, London,

Until thugs like this know what it is to experience fear and feel
pain, nothing will change. The Isle of Man used to have the
right idea - Birching. Perhaps it is now time for a national
debate on "Punishment to fit the Crime."

Meg, Cheshire, UK

During rush hour and no one thought of helping the lady BEFORE she got thown on the track and the youths
just walked away without anyone stopping them ....nice

dave, peterborough, uk

This is pretty disturbing.

I've seen similar encounters on parts of the DLR.
Groups of youths smoking, and people have gone to say something, only for the youths to intimidatingly ask the the person 'What?' and outright refuse. Its always resulted in the older person backing down.

Josh, Pimlico, London,

Where were the "fellow" passengers when the scuffle broke out?

Kevin Straw, Leicester,

I hope this will be treated as attempted murder, but more likely, the youths will be let off with a warning about smoking in a public place.

Sam, Sheffield, UK

Is there no place in this country for decent law abiding citizens any more?
Why were police not there on the station?
Should stations not be policed? Why do we have to depend on CCTV footage? It is like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. Get crime and misbehaviour under control.

P Davis, manchester,

They need to get at least twenty years, each.

But I'm sure they'll just get asked what made them feel that they need to do it and let off with a non custodial sentence

Dean, Southampton, England

how often do you see British Transport Police on a railway station outside of London?

More Police presence less trouble

Mike, Sole Street, England

I hope, for the sake of the dwindling reputation passer-bys have for stepping in and helping others, that the platform was otherwise completely empty, with the exception of those who jumped onto the tracks to save the victim.

James Cullup, Oxford,

If they are caught, I hope the judge see's it as attempted murder, and sends them down for a long long time! People like that have no place in decent society!

Arthur, Newcastle,

They should charge these animals with attempted murder and throw away the key. Treat them with the utmost contempt that they show others, nothing less.

Alan, Lancaster, UK

A platform full of commuters and no-one did anything while it was going on? What a sad bunch of frightened weasels we have become. Me too: I wouldn't have done anything either. I don't need the hassle of being charged with assault for saving a stranger.

Peter K, London, England,

"We are appalled by this incident and hope the perpetrators are quickly identified.”

What's the point? -they're just going to get a caution and an £80 fine.

dave, london, uk

While it is a terrible crime that these youths have committed, I don't see why people need to interfere in other peoples' lives. If people want to smoke, they know the risks on their health and that they could get fined if there is a no smoking sign and if they want to risk the penalty, let them.

Barry Broach, Radlett, Herts

Unbeliveble what some youngsters get up to today.

It won't surprise me if they get away with a warning, that is if they ever get caught, because of a human right goody goody approach while both of them should spend a few years in prison followed by commuity work.

Marek, London,

Why is it people blantly ignore these bans, yesterday saw a woman smoking infront of a clearly placed sticker advising no smoking. This morning another smoker having a cigarette on the train platform. How difficult is it, have a cigarette before going into the station then wait til you get off.

Rakhi, London,

When are we gouing to stop pussy footing about and start to treat youth hard so they learn a bit of respect. I say hard because no one respects softness!
Also, its about time the liberal idiots admitted they were wriong to insist on all these child protection ideas. Kids are now out of control!

Pete, St Albans, England

Just another day in the life of some of the scum that rule the streets in the UK. If we had the death penalty in this country maybe just maybe they might think on....

kirk, Rotherham, UK

Sickening. Poor woman. I sincerely hope they are caught and charged with attempted muder.

julian, shrewsbury,

The youths involved must be dealt with as the law will decide. But we should recognise that it is the increase in these petty and irritating restrictions (smoking on an open air platform) which is contributing to our society being increasingly brutalised by the inhuman attitude of don't don't don't.

Malcolm, London,

Welcome to New Labour Britain where the dross of society can work their ills while the rest of us strive to better ourselves. Build new prisons and fill them up! Why should we have to subject ourselves to news such as this! Terrible!

P Edwards, Reading, UK

That's it - REAL, REAL punishments are needed - not the normal pampering for this scum

Whilst it's mental to have to consider 'eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth' a possibility - we're being forced to.

For God's sake will some please sort this country out?

Good luck to the lady involved.

Barney, Liverpool , Anywherebuthere

Where are the station attendants? Why is it left to the public to deal with such uncivilised individuals?

Matei Alexandru Clej, Bucharest, Romania

But we don't live in broken Britain... do we?

Andrew Brown, derby, UK

what on earth?! i am very sad to hear that people round my age are doing this kind of thing. hearing events like this makes me want to confront them and ask them "what did she do to you other than asking you to stop smoking?" people who get a thrill doing this should really look at themselves.

sarah, craigavon, uk

As a Canadian who recently visited the UK, I witnessed repeated swearing in public, and unruly and disrespectful, if not threatening behavior. Worse, I saw adults cower in fear from young people, afraid to offer guidance or admonishment if necessary...a real Lord of the Flies environment. How sad.

Nancy, Toronto, Canada

“We are appalled by this incident...”

Do you enforce no smoking on your station? This shocking behaviour is so common these days because no one enforces laws any more (except speeding) & this fascist, thieving labour government has turned youths into untouchables with no respect for authority!

Harry, London, UK

Is the woman going to be imprisoned for infringing the youths' human rights? That would be so typical of this fascist, thieving labour government!!!

Harry, London, UK

And when they find them, they both need to be locked up for attempted murder (which should be a 10-15years before parole is an option) as an example to the other parasites that think that this type of behaviour is in any way acceptable... and not 2 weeks in Butlins and then an ASBO with an apparently optional bracelet.

Chris, New Malden, Surrey

Appalling. They'll be caught and given slapped wrists because the come from under-priveleged backgrounds probably. When are we going to get TOUGH with yobs like these?? This should be treated as attempted murder, long custodial sentence, no excuses.

Stuart, Chester,

The Top Cop was asking just the other day why people no longer tell other people's kids what their doing wrong, this is why! "Britain has got ASBO's" and until you toughen up the punishments, they will terrorize us on our Home soil, the Police are our only Homeland security. Over to you Met!

Magda, London, England

I assume the police will make diligent inquiries that will enable them to track down the woman and arrest her for having the temerity to take the law into her own hands. The two yobs that threw her onto the rail lines will no doubt be given compensation for having their human rights abused.

derek, London, UK

This is absolutely disgusting. The British society has come to a point where more than 90% of all youth are air headed thugs. When you compare UK's crime rate with some other developed (exlcusing USA) or for that matter developing countries, it is simply scary. The government needs to act NOW!

Anthony Fonseka, London,

I can't believe what I'm reading. This country is imploding.
I hate modern Britain.
The saying, 'Spare the rod and spoil the child' couldn't be more approriate.

I hope she's ok.

Richard , UK,

Disgusting behaviour. And they'll probably get off with a few months in an juvenile institute that will ply them with free tv and computer games til they have "reformed".

Margot, Fife,

Welcome to Labours new society

Leo, birmingham, England

I am also, appauled by this. We live in a society when this type, or similar behaviour is now endemic because we have NO deterant of any kind. Prison is a holiday camp. We must impose tougher sentencing and that means no colour TV, gym, or other comforts that one expects outside.

James, London,

Countdown till someone says "I blame Labour and Gordon Brown!" 3...2...1...

regina, London,

I bet they get caught, and then get a suspended sentence, or asked to pick up litter for a few hours.

If I was the judge, they would be in jail 10 years or more.

john, london,