Smoking ban in all pubs and clubs (BBC) {New UK law}

[eppur_se_muova]

MPs have voted by a huge margin to ban smoking from all pubs and private members' clubs in England.
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The Commons decided by a margin of 200 to impose a ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces.
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Earlier, health minister Caroline Flint said fines for failing to stop people smoking in restricted areas would go up by more than ten times from £200 to £2,500.
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Many MPs opposed a smoking ban on civil liberties grounds.

more at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4709258.stm

Well, I've never cared for smoking, and I hate being exposed to second-hand smoke, but these regulations sound pretty Draconian. Not sure how to feel about this. Probably lacking a full enough description of all the bills described (several are conflated in the story, it seems).

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. It's roughly what California and New York have, isn't it?

It's all one bill. There were 4 possible levels:
Allow smoking in all restaurants, pubs and clubs
Ban smoking in restaurants, and pubs that serve food (which would need a definition of 'food' - a packet of nuts isn't, a hot meal is, but what about a sandwich?)
Ban smoking in all restaurants and pubs, but allow it in private members' clubs (these are typically "working men's clubs" - pretty much like a pub, but owned and run by the members, though probably employing bar staff)
Ban it in all restaurants, pubs and clubs

They voted for the complete ban. It may seem 'draconian', but a lot of the reasoning is that the employees get second hand smoke - and their only choice about it is to leave the trade. Some people also think that getting rid of the 'social' aspect of smoking will encourage people to quit, and it could also make it easier - someone giving up doesn't have to hang around in a smoky atmosphere if they want a drink with friends.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. 2500Lbs = $4350

according to http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Are CA and NY fines that steep? This would bankrupt any blue-collar worker.

Again, I don't care for second-hand smoke, and would not want to work in a restaurant where smoking is permitted. But if the fines are too steep, both police and courts will be reluctant to impose them.

on edit: your alias is from a Python skit, no ? I've always liked it, even though I can't remember which one.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Reporting on the fine levels hasn't been good

I think this is what the fines are:

The £2,500 is the maximum for an establishment that doesn't enforce the ban
They can also be fined up to £1,000 for not displaying 'no smoking' signs (£200 if they don't contest the fine)
Individuals are fined £50 for smoking where they're not meant to

Sources: http://www.guardian.co.uk/smoking/Story/0,,1709946,00.html ; http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,1709615,00.html ; http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article345500.ece

(My username comes from John Cleese, though I don't think he actually did it in Monty Python. I could be wrong though).

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Ah, yes. Clarity emerges from the fog.

Amazing how much can be laid at the feet of sloppy reportage. And this is the BBC covering its own government.

Free press...can't live with it, can't live without it.:evilgrin: