sm

Its killing our pub and we're getting complaints from the local residents to the police and the environmental agency due to the increased noise from people being outside. It is completely unworkable for us. We have two bars, it would surely be more sensible to have one designated as non-smoking and offer people the choice. A lot of people are buying cheap alcohol from supermarkets and staying at home with friends. Its killing our pub.

we should have a equal opportunity for everyone with smoking and non smoking bars.

whats happened to the free true brit ... well done to you ..good luck

glad of anybody speaking out against the nanny state shit

I think it's an outrageous infringement of one's civil liberties.

Give pubs and clubs the choice

More power to your elbow. What next from Nanny State - alcohol-free pubs? Pork-free pigs? Let's hope more pro-choice businessmen put their money where their mouth is. Do what thou wilt.

Good on you, take this all the way mate you can do it. Sick of self righteous politicians. And check the science, there's actualy minimal evidence for pasive smoking harming people.

At last someone with the means to defend our human rights. Well done and good luck.

Smoking shelters should be provided. In this instance, it can't be provided.

Give bars, clubs etc the choice, the government should not impose this crass law on every establishment.

Read some G Orwell and A Huxley and you will realise how brainwashing works...Eliminating the very capability of formulating alternative thoughts, depriving people of choices is nothing new. At least stop preaching that it's all for everyone's wellbeing. After that just chose to ignore that i save lives, brought children to this world, have conscience, tend my garden; no, make me a pariah, pillory me and finally shoot me in the head because I sometimes go on a rampage and try to harm fellow human beings by emitting deadly smokes. I wonder though, if cigarette smelt like jasmine would it still be the focus of the moaners' attention?

Good on You. Not being able to smoke ban has already put me off going out. Cigs were introduced and approved by Govt to begin with!!

A dire piece of nannying, intrusive, bullying, intolerant, fascism!

I believe whether a pub is smoking or non-smoking should be left up to the individual pub owners.

Good on you, glad to see that at least there are few people still in this country that don't just sit back, shrug their shoulders and say "well, you can't really do much, the government says so" - they work for us remember? Why can't you say "it's my bar, it's my choice, and it's up to everyone else whether they want to come inside or not"?

wish more people took this view. talk about a nanny state,France went non-smoking last year...it lasted a week !!!even got local restaurants wont let you smoke outside!!!!

Be the Government - Beat the Ban

The smoking ban stinks

As French Jews I am scare to see what UK became.It is becomming a dictaturial country as Germany under Hitler was. Let me belive that there are still out there people with who remember what repretion get to Nazi...Armenia...libenon...China with just one pregenancy and so many other exemple in the world history.I am a woman of 45 years old and travel a lot i am dismayed to bring-up my daughter in a world where there is not respect of human right,no more freedom, just the one to pay your taxe and to not contest it...... We have elected people (that is nearly the same in every country) who belive they have the right the dicted how to live, up-bringing our children, how to eat how to sleep,how to drive, how to smoke,how to drink and if we let them do how to make love! We are not anymore respect as individual. Look to who we gave the power for thoses decisions! Just want to remind a famous sentence: _ "1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. -2. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. -3. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening thestrong. -4. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. -5. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich. -6. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. -7. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. -8. You cannot establish security on borrowed money. -9. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence. -10. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves. " Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) My Freedom stop where others people freedom start....

whilst I am a complete non smoker, I do not agree completely with the new legislation. This is simply due to the fact that before it was almost impossible to go out for a non smoker to bars etc - now it is the other way around - completely impossible for a smoker. - we need to have balance in society.

my trade is down £3500 per week following this stupid smoking ban,please help stop this stupidity by our so called government and let us all do our jobs and have a good time doing it a pub is for drinking and smoking who the hell do they think they are doing this to us. in lowestoft and the surrounding area every single pub is down on trade so who is doing well out of this ? nobody is.why dont we all have a day or a week of action and let everybody smoke we can and will stand up for ourselves i for one will stand up for our rights as human beings count me and my pub in for anything to stop this.

I am a publican with 99% of my biker customers that smoke I also have 2nd World War Vets that I have to send outside in the pooring rain and wind if they want a cigarette, they fought a war for us to live in a democratic society and not a dictatorship

Separate areas as in other countries

Lets fight this infringment the way!

What happened to freedom of choice?

what about all the money us smokers are going to cost the NHS this winter due to being outside ie colds flu chest infections.

although I am a smoker I am still human and should be at liberty to enjoy what's left of my life with friends in our local withouy getting wet or very cold

Keith Andrew Pratten

90% of my customers are smokers and the other 10% don't want a total ban either

The Smoking ban was based on LIES promoted by the WHO and ASH. The law should be amended to allow " Freedom of Choice " with Smoking and Non-Smoking pubs and clubs. Anything less is an insult to democracy.

why should I stand outside in all weathers catching illnesses and draining the NHS on medication and money.

The voters of this country should have had a say on this very important issue

Where does this Nanny state end? This must be the most corrupt government in living history. Yet again the majority of us are being led by the minority.My business is going down the pan but will the tax man give me any breaks, will he hell as like!There was no case to answer in the Bae corruption scandal, there is no truth in the cash for peerage row....My arse!! I am being snowed under by bloody red tape and officialdom, yet its me that pays for all of these "enforcers" and other little Hitlers that are constantly on my doorstep>

This used to be a free country. We are now being told what to do and when to do it. It is about time we stood up for ourselves and say "enough is enough"

pub owner more signatures to follow

what happen to our human right,i would very much like to chose to smoke were and when.

I think it's totally wrong that people's choices are taken away. We live under a dictatorship that's only going to get worse.

i own my pub , do not smoke, but wont to be able to have the choice. i would be a smoking pub.

I have had my civil rights taken away

I work in a Pub and regardless of what the press say the shifts that i work have more than halved in number. People no longer stay for more than a few unless its nice god help us in the winter.

As a Landlady I believe that we as Publicans should have been given the choice, either a smoking pub (Clearly Signed as such) or a non smoking pub. Customers would then have the choice to drink in my pub and have a cigarette or go across the road. Simple. Choice.

Give the choice to the Publicans Smoking or Non Smoking pub. This in turn gives the choice to the customer and potential staff either drink/work in one or the other. Simple choice, correct me if I am wrong but I believed I was an Adult with the brain power to make my own choices. Obviously not. Now all my smoking customers are sat outside in the cold and all the non smoking customers are out their with them. The pub is empty WHAT'S ALL THAT ABOUT!!!!!

Many thanks for doing this.I, and 99% of my pub customers(smokers and non-smokers alike)are heartily sick of our current governing body dictating how we spend our leisure time while they may still choose to smoke in their workplace! Following the first winter of the ban if I have to close my pub due to the dramatic drop in trade which is already having an effect on me and many others I shall consider them personally responsible. Overnight they have succeeded in ruining the social life of this once great nation of ours. The sooner their arrogant invasion of our freedom of choice is halted, regarding not only smoking but many other issues the better off we will all be.We must all use our vote in the next general election very wisely. By the way, do we still have freedom of speech or will I be locked in chains and flung in a dungeon for sharing these views with you? All the best and more signatures on the way.

WHY DONT WE DO A NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION ON THE COURT DATE, EVERY PUB IN ENGLAND,SCOTLAND AND WALES HAVE A DAY WHEN EVERYBODY CAN SMOKE AND GET EVERYBODY TO STAND TOGETHER

This ban is proving to be divisive and discriminatory. It is setting neighbour against neighbour by forcing law abiding smokers and their non-smoking friends onto the streets. For the first time in a civilised 'free' country the citizens are being forced to police each other. This used to happen only in novels about life behind the Iron Curtain.

Pubs are part of the community , and they are slowly being eroded away . Just another reason for people to stay away !!!

Enough is enough. The government is elected by the people and is supposed to represent the people. I was not asked my views on the ridiculous views this government is currently forcing upon us. I want my right to decide and freedom of choice back!! What on earth was wrong with having smoking and no smoking areas? Is it simply freedom of choice the government are opposed to? It certainly looks that way.

The ban is based on lies about the dangers of secondhand smoke. It is socially divisive, oppressive, and benefits only big pharma and it's lackeys.

I am sick to the back teeth of anti smoking dogooders influencing the government on decisions that affect millions of lives.They do not give a dam about all the jobs that will be lost due to this ban. They have picked on smokers because we are an easy target. I urge everyone who smokes to vote for another party come election day thats where it will hurt this labour party in the ballet box. They may realise then that the British people will not be dictated too,they dont mind taking the tax from every packet of cigarettes we buy, and then deny us an inside place to smoke them its hypocritical.I would like to add my father and his father before him fought for this country to be free and it now proves with very good evidence that we are no longer free but governed by a Hypocritical, dictorial, party that is determined to make britain a nanny state.It is time we stuck together again.

Amend the ban now!! I am not a child, nor is any other smoker. Give us the right of choice before we take away your's with our vote!

we smokers like many groups in society should have places where we can smoke among ourselves

I WORK IN A HOSPITAL WHERE THERE IS - MRSA/CIFF/LEGIONAIRE'S DESEASE YET THEY HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF POUNDS ON MASSIVE SIGNS THAT IT IS A SMOKE FREE HOSPITAL - LETS GET OUR PRIORITES RIGHT!!!

I just wonder what civil liberty they will take away from us next.

51 years old and a smoker for 37 years, don't cry for me! BUT Enough is Enough! The war veterans, forced to freeze to death on the streets of this god-foresaken country when all they want is their right to have a quiet beer at a public bar!! This government have played their ace card. We are too nice to see our landlords fined at £2500, given the £50 spot fine I would make a stance as would many others but our nature is to protect the endangered (Landlord) and behave. Please support this campaign as I have.

Charles Childe-Freeman

taken all our rights from us

I LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY AND IT HAS KILLED THE PUB TRADE AND THE ATMOSPHERE.

As this government has failed at so much, it's hardly surprising they should go big turkey on smoking bans. Small issue - lots of money wasted on it. How Nu-labour, how totally stupid!

This ban is the nanny state and iliberalism at it's worst.

TALK MEANS NOTHING AS LONG AS WE TALK MORE WILL GO BANKRUPT ITS TIME FOR DIRECT ACTION TO SAVE OUR FUTURE THE BRITISH ARE KNOW FOR STICKING THEIR HEAD IN THE GROUND AND PRETENDING ALL IS OK WHEN BEHIND THE FALSE FRONT WE ALL HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS WHICH CAN ONLY GET WORSE. DIRECT ACTION IS NOW CALLED FOR TIME TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED ASAP.I SUGEST A WEEKEND LIFT OF THE BAN IN EVERY PUB/CLUB/AND NIGHTCLUB IN ENGLAND SCOTLAND WALES.DO IT NOW OR REGRET IT AFTER YOU GO BANKRUPT OR ARE FORCED TO SELL UP WE ARE DOING THIS FOR OURSELVES AND THE PEOPLE OF OUR COUNTRY,PLEASE BACK ME ON THIS AND A CALL FOR ARMS!

direct action is req now to save everything we have.wait any longer and it will be to late for many the government are wrong and are destroying our country we will make them listen dont stick your head in the ground this is real it wont just go away

simple,just give us the fact's (the real one's)we make the choice freedom to chose in a democratic society

Cool site thanks for making a stand against this wish more of the pubs, clubs and people would open there eyes and see that our freedom is being taken away and stop it happening before we have no freedom at all. Will download your petition and take it along to the protest marches against the ban next one is being planned for Oct in Bristol. If I am in london will call in

YOu had not only made a fascist law that simply forces people not to smoke you had gave no support at all to the doormen and managers that has to deal with doped and drunk people at night, the calls to 999 takes more than 2 hours for police to arrive, so... We can't smoke with no alternative, we have to put our lives on danger and if else we can go to court for a situation created for a stupid no sense ban. Where's democracy?, people doesn't HAVE to take my smoke, they can go to a non smokers place, why 300 people has to be in a balcony while 4 non smokers are inside... I don't want to comform to the Californian Style you like, you are stupid and insensitive, non practical and amazinly ridiculuos. Why you don't take care of the drug dealers, how can people take extasis, snore coke, get drunk like dunkies and not have a cigarrette, your a stupid to the bones.

YOu had not only made a fascist law that simply forces people not to smoke you had gave no support at all to the doormen and managers that has to deal with doped and drunk people at night, the calls to 999 takes more than 2 hours for police to arrive, so... We can't smoke with no alternative, we have to put our lives on danger and if else we can go to court for a situation created for a stupid no sense ban. Where's democracy?, people doesn't HAVE to take my smoke, they can go to a non smokers place, why 300 people has to be in a balcony while 4 non smokers are inside... I don't want to conform to the Californian Style you like, you are stupid and insensitive, non practical and amazingly ridiculous. Why you don't take care of the drug dealers, how can people take extasis, snore coke, get drunk like pigs and not have a cigarette, your a stupid to the bones.

i think i got the gist of that in a round about way but at least he backs us i think good on ya mate u tell em

the clock is ticking time is running out

Menu based restaurants, fair enough but bars where beer is served, just ridiculous!!

Dont Like, Not Impressed... Spoiling Peoples Business's And mine too

Charles Childe-Freeman

tick tock, act now or never action req now talk talk will not pay bills,or feed your family.we have to act now.

The smoking ban has ruined London already. You drink inside, you smoke outside and never the twain shall meet. Well done, Dave, for standing up for our rights... see my magazine, the Idler, for a report on Dave's campaign.

if people dont want to enter a smoking pub they dont go in end of.we dont need the government to decide 4 us

i work all week and used to enjoy goin to local 4 pint n cig now im stuck outside the pub like a leper.

The total smoking ban in pubs and clubs takes away any choice people had before.It amounts to unnecessary discrimination, against the fourteen million people that smoke in the UK.

keith andrew pratten

I stood for the scottish parliament under the freedom of choice banner. It is everyones rights to have a freedom of choice otherwise we will be living under a communist and police state.

Smoking should be the proprietor's prerogative, not that of childish authoritarians beholden to political partis, whether whipped-in or not

I appreciate people's right to not smoke or breathe in smoke but there are plenty of establishments with walled separation which were never given the chance to prove they could keep both smokers and non-smokers happy. I only smoke when I have an alcoholic drink, I'm not a smoker when I eat and I'm certainly not a 'stand-in-the street' smoker so the only opportunity I enjoy smoking has been taken away from me.

I have no problem with smoking not being allowed in enclosed spaces where the public have to go, like shopping precincts or places of work. But making it against the law in places of leisure where a person does not have to be (or work), including outdoor places like car parks and hospital grounds, is going too far. I also think indoor smoking areas should be provided in potential stress areas like airports.

annastodolist@yahoo.co.uk

I am against the smoking ban imposed by our dictatorship government

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/070904/2/1jtm.html Activists want smoking stubbed out Anti-smoking activists plan to ramp up their campaign against tobacco today by launching a 10 year plan to make New Zealand smoke free. Ben Youdan of ASH says smoking is killing four and a half thousand New Zealanders every year and it is time to get more radical about wiping out cigarettes. He says the next logical step is a complete ban on smoking. The 10-year plan will be launched at the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference in Auckland

us smokers have rights to where have they gone?

"The health and safety executive cannot produce epedemiological evidence to link levels of exposure to second hand smoke to the raised risk of contracting specific deseases "!( published July 06)says it all really !the government have been conned by ASH and the Smoker is suffering.

With you all th way, good luck

I have been totally incensed at this draconian and humiliating smoking ban, so much so I started my own website www.opposingthe-uk-smokingban.org and also a blog at http://fightingtheban.blogspot.com/ and I will never give up the fight till the ban has been amended or repealed!

I work in a bar where all of the employees not to mention the employee are smokers. We do not serve food and it is very rare for children to come in, why can't we smoke, nice one guys you make a lot of sense.

I am totally against this ban. It should be up to individuals to decide whether or not to ban smoking on their premises. Whatever is happening to our freedom!!

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an appalling law. it is discrimination against smokers. Alcohol will be banned next!

I endorse everything that has already been said with regards to this petition, but would just reiterate that Pubs are for Drinking and Smoking!! It's ridiculous to put the Majority outside and leave the Minority inside!! Surely, that fact speaks for itself! As far as Airports are concerned, their treatment of smokers is abysmal!! and has been for some years, now. Okay, we can't smoke on the plane - that's bad enough - and then they want to sell you alcohol (and cigarettes.....) - No Thanks! Not without a cigarette! But at least you should be able to light up as soon as you get off the plane, as we used to be able to! Talk about stressful!! Get rid of this Stupid Government NOW!!

Equal rights for all!

michellekervin@btinternet.com

I am a smoker not a lepor! you are taking away my human rights! i pay tax like evry1 else and should be treated the same, the tax on my cigs keeps the government in wages! i agree that non smokers should have a choice but u have taken my choices away! give us designated smokers areas!!!!

freedom of choice!!!! .... ????

its not right. all the atmosphere has left the night life. i dont want to sit in a resterant enviroment

im sure the goverment could spend money in better places!!!

the choice has been taken away from smokers without a vote. it does not bother me being in a smoking establishment as i beleive people have a right to smoke just as i have the right not to smoke. its a matter of civil liberties.

I am, and have always been, a non smoker but am totally against banning smoking in public places. To use the NHS and effect on health as an excuse to prevent smoking is a farce. Our democracy is turning into a communist state with the "control" imposed by this Government - who are these people to say what we can and cannot do? Stand up for your rights.

Although a smoker i do agree with a no smoking in resturants, but the pubs and clubs should be down to the peoples own choice, is there no way to have a referendem to see what the PEOPLE want in their lives?

Unfortunatley I was brought up in a Smoking World & really enjoy a Cigar with my pint of real ale in the pub of an evening I did't smoke indoors until now but have been forced to do so now.All I ask is for the right to choose.

most pubs are now empty.people are not prepared to stand outside in poor weather.landlords should have a choice to go smoking or non smoking.

its my right to choose if i go to a smoking or non smoking environment to have a drink

i got fired from my job has a loory driver simply because i am a smoker i never got seen smoking in the cab but other drivers asumed i was smoking in the cab so got the sack now is that fair ?

whats so bad about the old style smoking rooms and air conditioning

I couldn't agree more with everyones comments. My local is losing trade, what is wrong with letting the landlord choose if his premises are smoking or non smoking. My partner (a non smoker) hates the ban because she is on her own when we go outside for a smoke, it was always her choice to enter a smoking pub in the past. I'm glad you mentioned all the smoking bars in parliament, not too many people are aware of this, democracy in action!!!Please publish this site elsewhere, I only found it by chance via Eastenders, more people should be aware of it.

what next enforced diets.stopped at the checkout for having three custard slices against goverment law of one per visit.our goverment is an ass

I think use guy's are 100% rite we are having our freedom took from us and we dont even know it

Its about time someone made a positive stance, you get my vote. My pub is absolutely dead at the moment where are all the non-smokers they got their way so start using the facilities they created

I believe that the claims for harm caused through passive smoking have been greatly overdone. I remain to be convinced that any material harm is caused by secondhand smoke. The rights of some to have a smoke-free environment must, in the interests of fairness, be balanced against the rights of smokers. A blanket ban on smoking in public enclosed spaces is not reasonable and fails to acknowledge the freedom of expression of a significant proportion of the population.

Hi I own Bumbles Night Club in Bournemouth and I have smoked but the right should be there, 440 capicity 2 rooms, why can twe use one for smoking giving them the choice! We have NO outside area, its killing us Barry Watkins

I feel that I am now treated like a leper wherever I go and even outside have had comments.

One of the worst pieces of legislation to have happened under Labour, and that's saying something. Let's hope the voters in Labour areas make their views known to their MPs.

Publican of 26years who has seen a drop of 15-20% in trae post ban

Totally against ban on smoking in Pubs and clubs

i would agree wiyh a partial ban, that would allow pubs like mine a community local were 75% of regulars smoke to at least have a smoking room .

I think it's wrong for the government to say what we can and cannot do!private clubs should have a choice whether they are a smoking venue or not!!

About to be unemployed and homeless after my husband and I both working and paying taxes for over 30 years each - we run a village pub|

Outside is not a choice for smokers, it is an imposition by this purile government.

Its about time these politicians stopped interfering with human rights and obeyed the 67% of voters who did not want the smoke ban.

I am absolutly incencsed with this government.Their manifesto at the last election just declared that only pubs that served food would be smokefree.I am now retired having paid taxes all my life and hoped to enjoy having more holidays but going anywhere in this 3rd world country is no pleasure at all and getting out of it is a nightmare at airports. My husband now takes the dog to the pub after all she does,nt mind being put outside. She knows her place !!

thomas peter gaffigan

it should be the landlords choice the government is in effect saying how too run their bussiness

The risk antis have proposed for SHS is based largely on unscientific studies (ASH have admitted as such) and despite this AND 40 years of research the risk they've managed to find is miniscule, even for people continually exposed to it throughout their lifetime. Small risks do not require punitive and destructive laws. Pro ban lawmakers are using exposives to crack a walnut

soooo right its about time the worm turned

I am totally against this draconian ban and believe it should be the hospitality's freedom to choose whether or not to allow smoking on their premises.

I am totally against this draconian ban and believe it should be the hospitality industry's freedom to choose whether or not to allow smoking on their premises.

Wonderful job your doing Guys! Smokescreen and F2C ALL THE WAY!! All you people out there, visit www.freedom2choose.info After you've signed the online petition of course.... These two guys and 100's of others are fighting your corner as you type! FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM!

When will politicians learn that they work for us not the other way round. We do not need our lives micro managed and it is not their role to do so.

A bad law on the back of zero evidence. Just a plain case of persecution.

It wasn't wanted, It wisent needed, Its just the Governments playing with peoples lives.

there is no need for a ban. The decision to allow smoking should rest with the business/property owner, NOT the government or any other bossyboots-killjoy-control freaks.

This is a bad law that should be overturned.

A total ban is an infrigment of human rights. A partial ban i.e. smoking and non-smoking pubs should have satisfied all but the more draconian bigots.

If this was really about health, ventilation would have been deemed sufficient to satisfy everyone - smoker and non-smoker - without the need to lavish millions of pounds on junk science, propaganda and the consequent policing of a deeply unpopular law.

Although this Smoking Ban Experiment has been introduced by the government led by ASH and Liam Donaldson, it really is an EU Directive, influenced by an EU Youth Forum, and other anti-smoking zealots that has brought this about and is going to get much worse. Markos Kyprianou, Health Minister of the EU, and ex-smoker, is totally committed to creating a smokefree Europe, and doesn't intend to let anyone, or anything stop him, he said it cannot be left up to individual countries to decide on a ban, they have to be forced. He refuses to speak to the tobacco industry, he say's 'why should I talk to people that sell products that kill'. In time the EU will introduce a law that prevents anyone challenging the Smoking Ban Experiment. So regardless of whether the government want to repeal/amend this SBE the EU won't allow it. But if millions of people put enough pressure on it'll tell them we're not going to keep being dictated to by the government and EU.

An unreasonable, unjust law with unforeseen sinister consequences

Our rights in a SUPPOSED free society are being taken away at an alarming rate! Publicans should have the choice as to whether their establishments are smoking or non smoking. We don't force anyone to come in or force staff to work in an environment that they are not happy with. We are in Europe the same as Spain - if they can prchase a licence for about £100 for a year to permit smoking... why can't we?

i wanna leave my country .

With you all the way Dave. Human rights at stake but being reduced all the time. Time for people to make the stand!

As a result of this govt. continued intrusion into my life I am now seriously considering movong abroad

I run a urban local pub where the smoking ban is significantly effecting my business on a day to day basis. Our pub is a local traditional pub where smoking and having a drink went hand in hand, we do not serve food, and our buisness is facing ruin because of this hideous illthought plan by the so called leaders of this country

always thought england was a free country , under labour ?????????? just makes you wonder

I think smoking should be allowed in public places. We are adults and can make up our own mind about our health

excellent imformation harry keep it up mate some one has to do something our liberty is being taken away , ive never voted in my life but im goin to this time ,

You asked why they wanted our DNA The Nuffield Council who is working against alcohol,seems to be funded by the Wellcome Trust appears to be a eugenics company http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2859623.ece Here they mention access to the database http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/go/ourwork/bioinformationuse/publication_441.html and these are the participants funding the studies http://www.ims-global.com/insight/news_story/news_story_990925a.htm Isn't google wonderful :)

Pubs & clubs should have the option of providing smoking rooms, as was the case a few decades ago!

Give smokers and non-smokers the right to choose! Amend the bill to provide separate and ventilated areas for smokers. Save our bars and clubs, save our freedom to choose.

Dont get me started - theres not enough time,or space. Just give them what they deserve - A good kick in the ballots!!!

Wholeheartedly believe in pro-choice. Private property should be private property and the freedom to choose among consenting adults should not be left to the government.

How about a situation like Spain where the bar-owners decide to allow or not the right to smoke in their bars?....the rest I can put up with!

An inappropriate and ill-thought out way of cutting smoking prevalence. The tobacco companies can't advertise so Parliament made sure that the camaraderie of smoking is forced outside in full view of the next generation. Many recreational venues are where adults do legal things that they don't want to do in front of young people and community pubs help young people learn how to behave and drink responsibly --- Well Done and so you should be! Hatred took over from commonsense.

Keep up the good work and best of luck!

The smoking ban contradicts our human rights, as smokers. Why should non-smokers be more entitled to rights than us!?

I think its a damn discrace! Why ban cigs? what about the car fumes in the air? what about the revenue the government is loosing? shot there selves in the foot havent they! racist against smokers thats all i can say.

The better option is to have seats for smokers and for non-smokers.

I think the ban on smoking in Pubs and Private clubs is disastrous for both. It has already ruined the atmousphere in the three Pubs in our village. They now have to turn themselves into Restaurents to survive and the regular drinkers are disapearing. Ten years (or less) from now the English pub will be a thing of the past.

All pubs and clubs should have an indoor smoking area.

i dont smoke now but i feel those that do should have the right to. i can see the point of some restrictions for example in retuarants but as usual this government has to go over the top and impose a total ban in some case a ban in stupid places for example in company vehicles especially when it is only driven by the one person. as an ex hgv driver and in the days when i did smoke it would have been intolerable not to be able to have a smoke on long journeys, how many hours of work are going to be lost as drivers park up and stand at the side of the lorry to have a smoke break.

further to my previous tirade it is just a thought but playing the government at their own stupid game i would say "IF" smoking is as bad as they say then the government surely has "A DUTY OF CARE" to us and to protect our health they should make it totally illegal. BUT they will not do this because of the immense amount of revenue from ridiculous levels of taxation that they pocket every year. talk about two faced the health minister versus the chancellor but it is still the same government.

I work for the Government and they should be ashamed that their staff are an eyesore standing out in the rain/cold leaving a pile of cigarette ends in public areas! Bring back our smoking shelters!!!

I am sick and tired of being told by the Government what I can't do and things that I must now do. The smoking ban is another example of our freedom being taken away - freedom to choose, freedom to do - in the constant ongoing erosion of our civil liberties.

What annoys me more than anything is that there are not more people like Harry Barnett,Hamish Howitt and Nick Hogan in the UK willing to fight for everyone elses rights.If everyone would stand up and be counted the government would have no option but to reverse this ridiculous ruling.(Remember what people power did to remove the Poll Tax?)What has this nation become? We just sit back and make out its not happening to us.Wake up Britain before its too late.This is just one of many rulings designed to take away our civil liberties.As a non smoker it may seem strange that i dont support this ridiculous ban,After all i can go wherever i want to eat or drink,i should be happy! When smoking in pubs was allowed i just went somewhere else,it was not difficult and it was my choice.Smokers on the other hand no longer have this freedom anymore and no doubt in time the government will ban smoking in all public places.Maybe then you will all stand up and have a moan. We are adults and are more than capable of deciding wether or not to patronise a pub or club based on its smoking rules. The government should keeps its nose out and let the businessman decide its own smoking policy.

Double standards. Typical of this government. Without us smokers they would loose millions in tax

I live in a town with nine pubs. four wont last a year.

Smoking is a major part of the Great British Pub.

Yeah I'll definitely comment ! The entire smoking bans are based on false information and facts. I have information that if anybody used this in court would completely invalid these bans and make a laughing stock of Tobacco Control. Ergo: Federal Court Rejects EPA Secondhand Smoke Study. http://www.heartland.org/archives/environment/sep98/smoke.htm SHS is safe according to OSHA, EPA, DOT. http://www.forces.org/writers/kjono/pdf/summary-16-points.doc Passive smoking doesn't cause cancer - World Health Organization. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1998/03/08/wtob08.html

There should be smoking places/areas in all pubs,clubs,restaurants,airports etc..

My Father didnt fight the Germans in World War 2 so that I have to stand outside a pub or club to smoke a ciggarette in the freezing cold and wet.

as a licencee i object to my livelyhood being manipulated

I am a commitee member of a land locked ex servicemens club on the south coast,over 80% of the membership are smokers,and, we are fast getting to the stage (because of the ban)wether we can carry on, takings are currently 25/30% down on last year,what right has this bunch of numptys who call themselves a government to tell people who have served their country,what they can and cannot do on their own property.!!!!!

for freedom of choice!

today i carn't smoke tomorrow i carn't what can i do

There is no pleasure anymore is going for a night out. My non smoking friend is accosted by men when I go our for a cig as they think she is fair game. I now stay in at the weekend. Thanks HMG you are hypocritical fools. Where's your 'protection' for the bar workers in your westminster bars? I will never ever vote labour again and would rather vote BNP!!

I was overjoyed to find somewhere where going out felt normal again. How have we Brits rolled over like this and allowed so much pleasure to be taken out of our social lives?

Stub out Gordon and labour till they give us choice.

I am totally against the outright ban and believe absolutlely that every pub, club, restaurant, hotel etc should be given the choice whether to be smoke-free or smoke-friendly.

I am a pub landlady and our trade has been devastated by the smoking ban. We should have the right to have designated areas within public areas if we so choose - as in Spain

i accept that that non smokers should have a free area, but smokers, should have there space too

I want my freedom back..

I definetly will not vote for labour ever again. They've hit the working man once more by banning him from enjoying a fag and a pint down at the local without having to go outside in the freezing cold.What a country, and all based on lies,like WMDs in Iraq. Hugh Bailey you've no chance of my vote or any of my mates in York because I know you voted for a blanket ban.

I am sick and tired of being treated as if I were a leper and demand my freedoms be returned!

No smoking in pubs?! Absurd!

its about time something was done about this naany state we are now being forced to live in! well done

Drug addicts get *shooting rooms* ... Muslims get *prayer rooms* ... immigrants get everything else ... all I, an indigenous Brit wants is to be able to smoke in peace! Nanny state ... I'm sick of it! Labour OUT, the sooner the better.

the government should be sent up in smoke bring back guy forks

This assault on smokers by a comparitively small group of zealots should have never seen the light of day.The main reason for any support for smoking bans is prejudice.

The ban is fascist in its nature. The majority did not want an outright smoking ban, we were ignored.I will use my vote for anyone regardless of political background who promises to review this oppressive legislation.

keith andrew pratten

give us back our rights

Most of the comments here are absolutely correct with the exception that the legislation actually comes from the European Parliament. Blair just buckled in to them as usual knowing full well that he was out of the job a few months after it became "Law". Maggie would have stuck two fingers up to them saying "We can handle our own laws thank you very much". I`m glad I saw your petition and fully support it. Luckily I`m just a white van man these days so I can have a smoke whenever I want one through the day but have sadly had to stop visiting my local - it`s just too much hassle now.

its not just the smoking ban that concerns me, its no treatment on the nhs for drinkers, obese etc. as a 44 year old male, i have paid my stamp all my life and have hardly used the nhs, i even go private for dental care. So please someone sort this out.

The Government should stop eroding my personal freedoms

why should we do what the gov cant and prisoners come to that i am a lorry driver and cant smoke in it yet i have to sleep in it when i go france every other day it`s a joke it should be classed as my second home i dont mind not smoking in restrants and buses planes and trains but we should have the choice wether or not to smoke in a pub