Smoking

[DaveF]

We WILL enforce the ban in those areas of the ground where smoking is not to be permitted. We have no choice as failure to enforce could see us fined.

We just need to get clarification on the covered areas, but it should be allowed on the open terraces, subject to advice on whether these areas constitute a place of work.

I do love simple regulations

[bh]

I had a weekend in Jersey a couple of weeks ago, their ban came in on 1st April. There if you're caught smoking in a pub, you are fined £4000 as is the Publican. i don't know what levels the fines are going to be over here, but I would not like the club suffering such a fine!!

[os]

Although I am totally opposed to a ban in these semi open spaces such as terraces, I would not want the club to be fined because of my actions. I have no problem in smoking being prohibited in proper enclosed spaces but do think that when talking about our terraces and even open air its getting a bit silly and very over the top. I am even sure that most non-smokers would agree with this?

[bh]

As an ex smoker myself (no, not a anti-smoking one) OS I sympifise with you m8. I thought he Jersey Fines were certainly OTT. Where you and the family normally stand to one side should never be a problem at our place, together with the Shoebox, and the whole of the Collingwood Road end. But the main stand and what could be called the enclosure under the stand, and both sets of covered terracing, I imagine will be banned. I have heard the announcements on Southern stations, such as Sutton regading smoking everywhere, but up to this time nothing on SWT or Thameslink. So West Sutton and the branch may be ok.

[Andy K]

As a confirmed smoker myself, I can see why the ban is being put in place, especially in enclosed areas, i.e indoors. But I really cannot see any logic in covered terracing being smoke free. I mean, it is officially outdoors right??

I used to be a bit of a commie, but I possibly think Blair and his government are my most hated people in the entire world....

[markf]

AK - do you think it would have been any different under the Tories? It was a cross-party vote after all.

[VotP (CAFC)]

Blimey, I actually agree with Jared! A smoking ban makes so much sense on so many levels. As an asthma suffered myself (not mild but not severe but enough to have been to A&E on several occasions), the idea of a smoke-free station of a morning is appealing. I work in the cancer research business so I also know it makes sense (caveat: I like a drink or two and I know that alcohol is at least as bad as tobacco smoke!). In practise it works well (Ireland and Scotland have coped; not sure how the French will do).

Andy K, are you old enough to remember that Thatcher woman? If not, consult someone who does and you would never make that statement about Blair no matter what you think of him or his policies.

[medibot]

VotP.

Tony Blair is massively responsible for the existence of chavs and people expecting to get something for nothing. I'm only young but the world seemed a damn sight nicer when i was 10 then now and only one man has been in charge since that time. Granted i don't remember Thatcher but it doesn't mean somebody else isn't a c*nt now too

As for me, the smoking ban was already in Wales last time i was there, it was nice coming home not smelling of smoke and laughing at the smokers freezing their nads off outside but really it doesn't make too much difference.

It was also pretty much the same time old Gordon was doing everybody with a small business over with his business rate changes and the combination of that and the ban is going to kill pubs and clubs across the country.

[sallycat]

The world looked a lot nicer to me when I was 10 as well, and the Tories were in then- it's just being a child, young man!

[VotP (CAFC)]

medibot said:

VotP.

Tony Blair is massively responsible for the existence of chavs and people expecting to get something for nothing.

I do hope you are not reading Social History at Polyversity. I don't think I have ever read anything so naive! Pikeys only came into existence in 1997, did they? Still its the enthusiasm of youth I suppose. Carry on.

[os]

I am sorry to say it but Blair has been responsible for the chav culture, Maggie what ever you think would never of allowed it.

Re: Smoking, I hear today the Health minister has now turned her attention to the obese stating it was right for the NHS to withold treatment from them. Maybe Jewish people next with Adolf Brown in charge?

[VotP (CAFC)]

The roots of the 'chav culture' stem from the free enterprise that has allowed the proliferation of McDonalds, Asda and many other low quality, under-resourced (by management) and exploitative outlets. I hesitate to come across as a Blair apologist but Thatcher positively encouraged the 'me culture' that is so much to blame for todays ills. Blimey I sound like my parents now. And it's 'would never HAVE allowed it'.

[sallycat]

Oh well never mind chaps- look at all those adverts for stop smoking treatments! ;D

[medibot]

Would you agree the standard of education in this country has dropped then Votp?

Mr Blair's cushy little no loser on sports day, literacy & numeracy, paying people to go to sixth form and deluded 50% at Uni world has very little to show for it other than a generation of shallow, overweight, work-shy, fuckwit losers. Of course that isn't everybody but there's enough for it to be noticeable and tragic.

Maybe i am too a product of that which is why you think i'm idiot

Besides, i can only go on what i've lived through and i would say it's got worse in the time, that's my opinion. Everything about Thatcher and the 80's is for me, just somebody's opinion on something i didn't experience, so i'd say i'm allowed a little lack of knowledge.

Let the never ending debate continue

[os]

The 80s were a very 'me me time' I agree and it was difficult if you had nowt like me, but if you put in the effort you could find decent rewards. I see nothing wrong with encouraging that, not saying they were perfect times they were not, but I would swap the 80s for now without any hesitation. Today we have too many who think they have a right to everything and cannot be bothered to work for it. I am not even sure a change of government now would make much of a difference as politics have changed. We missed the chance of a really good labour leader in John Smith, we would live in a much better place had he of been prime minister.