BAN SMOKING IN ALL PUBLIC PLACES, INCLUDING PARKS, STREETS AND PUBLIC SQUARESOh dear. It would seem that even ASH think you're as nutty as a bag of KP, Herr Bartlett.
[...] while the move may seem to be an obvious step forward for anti-smoking campaigners, some believe it would actually be detrimental – claiming it could force smokers indoors, where the effects of passive smoking are far higher.
"Our priority must be reducing the known health risks (sic) associated with second-hand smoke exposure," explained Sheila Duffy of Ash Scotland. "These risks are at their highest in enclosed indoor spaces and while some find smoke exposure outdoors unpleasant, the health risks of outdoor exposure are likely to be small in comparison.
"Prohibiting smoking in large areas like whole towns or city centres could displace smoking to areas like cars and homes where the risks are higher or more vulnerable groups like children can be exposed."
Cue more swivel-eyed e-mail craziness, I suspect.
While we're on the subject, here's a date for your diary, fellow jewel robbers: Tuesday 20th September, 7pm, St Mary & St Giles Church in Stony Stratford. According to an impeccable local source, "a certain councillor will move to have smoking banned in the High Street ... should be lively!".
