England Bans Smoking

By: Lowell
Published On: 7/2/2007 8:23:49 AM

I wonder if England will survive this:

England snuffed out smoking in bars, workplaces and public buildings on Sunday in what campaigners said was the biggest boost to public health since the creation of the National Health Service in 1948.

The legislation is designed to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke at work, which doctors estimate kills more than 600 people a year. The government hopes it will help smokers quit and discourage children from lighting up.

England follows Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and means smoking in enclosed public places such as pubs is now banned throughout the United Kingdom.

Protecting people from carcinogens, encouraging people to quit smoking, and saving 600 peoples' lives per year?  Radical, huh?  I mean, who wouldn't agree to do that?!?  Isn't it just common sense?  Yes, it is, but apparently not quite yet in the Commonwealth.  That needs to change, before we're the only state left that does NOT ban smoking in enclosed public places.  Can we say "no brainer?"

Comments



Unless You Are the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (Matt H - 7/2/2007 3:14:29 PM)
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes a smoking ban since it solely worships at the temple of the dollar and could care less about the workers at smoky establishments and customers.  Perhaps we could cut a deal - give us good public health care and people can then smoke to their lungs content.  Quite stupid either way.

The false argument against our City Council's support for the ban is that the city will be subject to large legal bills defending its decision.  If such an argument had any merit it would speak volumes about the weakness of our legal system.  Why fight for any progress if legal bills may be involved.