[England]

It is only a matter of months before England becomes a smoke-free zone, the Government has announced.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has revealed the ban on smoking in public places and workplaces will come into effect on July 1.

She declared: "This is a triumph for public health. Thousands of people's lives will be saved and the health of thousands more protected.

"The scientific and medical evidence is clear - secondhand smoke kills."

Ms Hewitt also launched a Smokefree England campaign to help the country's 3.7 million businesses prepare for the new law.

Nearly 200,000 pubs, bars, restaurants and other leisure outlets will be affected.



The Government has also mooted raising the age at which people can buy cigarettes from 16 to 18.

Details of how the ban will operate are being finalised and will be placed before Parliament shortly.

England is expected to have much the same rules governing smoking in public as Scotland.

Virtually all structures with a roof - even canvas awnings - would be subject to the ban unless half the sides are open to the air.

Similar rules have already been introduced in the Republic of Ireland as well as Scotland.

They are generally regarded to have been a success - although some pubs have reported a downturn in sales.

The ban in Wales starts on April 2.

 

[FBI]

Stupid suicidle idiots that's all I can say regarding people who smoke.

 

[Pk_#2]

oh,

Hmm..

i guess i think differently,

Peace!

 

[England]

Smoking makes your breath smell like poo

 

[Pk_#2]

^^ Agreed!

poo?

So you actually sniff dem pplz...man ur funny!

 

[lolwatever]

^^ xactly, and makes ur lungs look like one too.

 

[lolwatever]

btw that pic of the beerguy looks soo ugly could u pls take it off if u dont mind :vomit:

 

[Pk_#2]

is it me, or does he look like a elf S sowi

no offence :|

 

[England]

Here's an advert recently shown on tv about smoking. It's so true
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovRC8PtITWg

 

[England]

is it me, or does he look like a elf S sowi

no offence :|

Offence? lol it isn't me :shade: I'm good looking

 

[Helena]

good news..heard soo far.......hope it takes place soon inshallah...

da guy wid da beer....his eyebrows looks weird.....^o) ...dnt u think....

 

[Woodrow]

A little slower than us here in the states. The Age for buying cigarettes has been 21 here for about 10 years if not more. Smoking in public has been outlawed in nearly every state and smoking in stores, restaurants, night clubs etc is illegal nearly everyplace in the US.

 

[England]

A little slower than us here in the states. The Age for buying cigarettes has been 21 here for about 10 years if not more. Smoking in public has been outlawed in nearly every state and smoking in stores, restaurants, night clubs etc is illegal nearly everyplace in the US.

Nu'uh. I've been to the States and I know that's false. I kept out of a store because it stunk of cigarette smoke. The shop keepers were chain smokers.

 

[Woodrow]

Nu'uh. I've been to the States and I know that's false. I kept out of a store because it stunk of cigarette smoke. The shop keepers were chain smokers.

If they were smoking it was in violation of the law. Here in Texas and every State I have visited in the past 5 years it was heavily enforced.

 

[England]

Then in New York and Florida it obviously is violated and they need to crack down on law breaking because people were violating it with no fear of getting caught so perhaps they're too soft on the law over there.

 

[Woodrow]

Then in New York and Florida it obviously is violated and they need to crack down on law breaking because people were violating it with no fear of getting caught so perhaps they're too soft on the law over there.

New York especially in NYC is an area that is not well known for following laws. although upstate New York is normaly very law abiding. Florida is usually very conservative about most issues and normally quite law abiding except during the spring break when they get invaded by young college students and the police just sort of give up and concentrate only on major crimes. Here in Texas you light up in a public store and you will get a hefty fine and probably some jail time.

 

[Abdul Fattah]

I used to be a smoker for about 9 years. A pack of gauloises a day. I tried quiting many times but always failed. then when I reverted to Islam I really wanted to quit, and it was easy then. Anyway I voted no, because I think it's hypocrite. Either ban the smokes altoghether or leave people free choice, but you can't have both. but as we all know the taxes on the tobacco industry is way to big of an income for the government, not to mention the tobacco lobby.

 

[England]

No-one is allowed to smoke in stores here now.. it's always been like that, even in football stadiums. What has happened is that smoking will be banned in ALL public places. There will be no 'non-smoking area' in restaurants, pubs and clubs. Basically the only place you'll ever be allowed to smoke is outside as there will be no exceptions.

Brilliant.

 

[Hisbul_Aziz]

A little slower than us here in the states. The Age for buying cigarettes has been 21 here for about 10 years if not more. Smoking in public has been outlawed in nearly every state and smoking in stores, restaurants, night clubs etc is illegal nearly everyplace in the US.

no isnt it 18

 

[England]

I still don't quite believe that the US already have these laws. I read some comments to the article of this ban and a few Americans have said 'good idea...' Ireland was the first nation to do it. Canada followed and now us.