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England Douses Public Smoking

New law clears the air in enclosed spaces

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2007 2:55 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The English ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, including bars, workplaces, and public buildings, went into effect at 6am today. The effort to improve indoor air quality and inconvenience some smokers into quitting will cause grumbling, says the country's chief medical officer, but "on the whole, the majority of smokers and non-smokers wanted this change."

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland already enforce similar bans, as do Ireland and some European countries. More than 1% of English smokers will kick the habit because of the new legislation, the government predicts. But some long-time smokers are fuming. Artist David Hockney calls it a "grotesque piece of social engineering" imposed by a "political and media elite."

A man lights up a cigarette in a shop in York, England Friday June 29, 2007 two days before the smoking ban comes into force in England on July 1. Smokers are expected to flock to pubs, bars and clubs tonight and tomorrow to make the most of the final...
A man lights up a cigarette in a shop in York, England Friday June 29, 2007 two days before the smoking ban comes into force in England on July 1. Smokers are expected to flock to pubs, bars and clubs...   (Associated Press)
An unidentified passerby continues smoking as she walks past a cigarette billboard reminding people passing through London's Leicester Square Tuesday June 19, 2007, that a no smoking ban inside all public places in England starts July 1, 2007. The cigarette on the billboard 'burns' down a little further each day...
An unidentified passerby continues smoking as she walks past a cigarette billboard reminding people passing through London's Leicester Square Tuesday June 19, 2007, that a no smoking ban inside all public...   (Associated Press)
le to smoke only inside single family homes, the Belmont City Council is scheduled to decide Tuesday whether to go forward with an anti-smoking bill that would be among the toughest in the nation, or a less restrictive ordinance. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
le to smoke only inside single family homes, the Belmont City Council is scheduled to decide Tuesday whether to go forward with an anti-smoking bill that would be among the toughest in the nation, or...   (Associated Press)
British Bingo Clubs Set For Smoking Ban
British Bingo Clubs Set For Smoking Ban   (Getty Images)
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Information about the new legislation
Smokefree England

Top smoking adviser wants parents to stop lighting up at home
Independent (UK)

Similar Australian ban takes effect, sparks whining about winter weather
Reuters

Opponents and like-minded scofflaws aren't giving up
BBC

Most pub owners (though not the one who calls the law a "hate crime") are on board
Financial Times (UK)

 
health • United Kingdom • smoking • cigarettes • tobacco • England • David Hockney • secondhand smoke • smoking ban

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