Surely this is going tooo far? smoker in his own van fined?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080725/tuk-britain-health-tobacco-offbeat-a7ad41d.html

Answer 1

yes

Answer 2

Absolute joke, I think the Spanish set the example perfectly - the longest running smoking ban in Europe, and they ignore it completely.

"The law is the law" is a stupid statement to make, sorry! At some point those with the power to pass legislation go too far, and I don't agree with just sitting back and watch all civil liberties  eroded because of the nanny state we live in, time to stand up and have our voices heard.

Answer 3

The law seems too technical that he's smoking in his "workplace". It sounds like a stupid law that invades your private rights. California has a similiar law not allowing smokers to smoke with someone under 18 in the car. I would be more passive towards that law, but if two adults, that can decide for themselves, are smoking in a place where no one else, but themselves, are affected then LET THEM! I personally think they should fight this fine they received.

Answer 4

Yep it is PC gone absolutely mad!! What a joke!!

What ever happened to civil rights!?!?!

Answer 5

Going way too far. My brother owns his own van and smokes in it. So can he get done? It is in his name not the company's?  It is insane and its trespassing on our rights and our privacy. It does not affect anyone else.

Answer 6

Yep, Big Brother gone mad.

That's what you get when the P.C. brigade run riot.

Hope they don't start on people in their own homes if they are having guests round.!

Answer 7

RIOT!! ANARCHY!!! YEAH!!!!

Answer 8

The council refused to comment...because they knew just how completely ridiculous this whole case was!

Answer 9

To infinity! It was his own, insured,taxed, MOT'd van. This is just one more example of the 'jobsworth' society we live in - I'm livid at this invasion of privacy.

Answer 10

I believe its much to over the top almost laughable

I know I would not pay such a fine!!!!

I'm a ex smoker and this no smoking thing has certainly gotten really stupid.

Gawd next they will fine you for breathing

Answer 11

I do not like smoking at all, but if you are in your OWN VEHICLE, why the f*ck should you be fined? I could understand if it was pot...but god, Having a d**n smoke is illegal in cars?

They are really cracking down hard on tabacco, eh?

Answer 12

Yes but what can anyone do about it?

Now, I could see if he got fined for having a child in the car while he was smoking but he was doing no harm to anyone but himself.

Answer 13

i do love the smell

Answer 14

I work at home so does that mean I cant smoke in my own house....they have lost the plot and are just trying to exploit us as much as they possibly can

Answer 15

Yes.

Answer 16

it is illegal to smoke in company vehicals

this is why i registered my van as private use and not buisness use

Answer 17

Would have been funny if  he also got a fine coz his van was also smoking (I mean the exhaust and not cigarettes).

Answer 18

It wasn't actually his van, but his employer's, which is the reason he was fined.

Answer 19

Of course it's going too far. People are more concerned about people smoking than HIV or cancer anymore. I think it's ridiculous, what happened to our rights?

Answer 20

yes. i hate people smoking near me - but that is taking the pish.

non smoker.

Answer 21

Madness. By the way, a year on from the ban I`ve yet to see a coachload of non-smokers queuing to get into the pub!

The code of practice we had before was fine. A choice of 3 signs to put on the outside declaring a) Smoking Allowed Throughout b) Smoking Allowed In Designated Areas c) No Smoking

Whatever happened to choice and common sense?

Answer 22

Yep....I think so!   Just another example of trying to strain out a gnat and then swallowing a camel.  Anti-smoking laws in public places I support wholeheartedly.....a work van is NOT a public place.  About time these "snoop cops" go to work on the country's REAL problems instead of harassing the public.  What we need now is an ANTI-HARASSMENT LAW for cops.  Oh right......who would enforce it???  I forgot........