Why is the UK so mean?
Saturday, March 8, 2008 As if on cue (see below), Joe Jackson has just been in touch, offering to write an article about smoking bans in other countries. Currently on tour (see review of his London gig HERE), Joe says:
"Having so far been to Ireland, France, Belgium and Holland, with Germany, Italy, Austria and Israel to come, I thought of writing a piece about the different smoking bans around Europe, and the different ways in which, or extents to which, they are enforced.
"So far I'm pretty sure that the UK ban is not only the most draconian but the most strictly observed. In Paris cafes are making a much better effort to make people comfortable outside than UK pubs are; in Brussels smoking is banned in restaurants but not in bars; there is much resistance in Germany, etc.
"The question would be: smoking bans may be spreading, but why is the UK embracing it to the meanest, most extreme possible extent?"
People
Reader Comments (7)
Sadly to say Joe, the people here in the UK now seem to have become mean minded and vindictive.
This runs parallel with poor education. This Government seems to believe that if they keep educational standards to a minimum, then the people will believe and do, as they told without question.
The proof of this is to try debating this subject with the average anti-smoker in this country. They simply tell you that what they say must be true because they read it in the paper. They then get very angry and want to fight you, if you disagree with them.
We can only hope that by not giving in, and keeping on producing our own articles and information, we will one day manage to get the truth across to these people.
Sadly to say Joe, but because they can. (Sir) Liam Donaldson metaphorically has the next office down from Reid, Hewitt and Johnson, whispering in their ears all the time. Simon may be in contact once a year, the ministers read your work and I get my emails completely ignored. Plus you have the Puritan guilt complex that many smokers have, and anti smoking is fashionable, we are on a hiding to nothing sometimes. I detect a change in our favour, people are being lumped together with us as being very naughty children, drinkers and fatties etc. In my travels it is very hard to come across someone who objects to us having our own separate, well ventilated rooms. So some hope.
I'm not sure it has anything to do with education. It's the, often more educated, middle classes who have taken the anti-smoking hysteria and all that goes with it to heart.They are certainly the ones who seem to want everyone to embrace a bland pc existence, and also the section of Britain who are more convinced of man made climate change.
Any education about the ETS fraud no-one will receive through the education system. Propaganda affects everyone,and often it isn't the less educated that become fanatical. Quite the opposite from what I've seen.
I do not think that being "middle class" has anything to with education.
Middle class, in my opinion, is a monetary statement, and nothing more.
As you so rightly say, Zitori, They are certainly the ones who seem to want everyone to embrace a bland pc existence, and also the section of Britain who are more convinced of man made climate change.
Surely this proves beyond a doubt, their lack of education? For anyone who doesn't bother to question what is laid out before them, is, in my opinion, ignorant!
Ah, peter, there's education and then there's education. Ignorance, as we are seeing, can be the 'hallmark' of an 'educated' Government.
I'm American and I don't smoke but my husband does. Airports are just miserable for him. LAX used to have a great tall atrium where smokers could go. I don't know, but it is probably gone.
I just got back from a solo trip to London. In Seattle, you just stand out trying to avoid the rain, outside your venue. Now I can see that Britain officially may have a mean streak about this all, certain people being proper snobs and rule freaks. That's not all Britons, of course. But enough to make the smoking bans really uncomfortable. But it all boils down to the same rule, unless you break it or they let you break it: you have to take it outside and a certain distance at that.
Annette - I know just what you mean about your husband being miserable now around airports! Because I suffer from Anxiety, I now need tranquilisers to get me through an airport because I get very panicky once through security as then there is no way out! I worry in case the flight is delayed and there is nowhere I can go for a smoke - I am also claustrophobic and that is the feeling I have in airports, it has nothing to do with space, it does however bring on a panic attack and a problem breathing, just as being enclosed in a small space or physically restricted does for me.
I have managed to cope with the actual flying and not smoking as I am actually progressing, insofar as on the way to my destination, but whilst being stuck in a building, that is different, I am going nowhere and not getting any nearer 'freedom' for want of a better way of putting it.
18 months ago we flew out of Alicante, Spain returning to the UK. They too had stopped smoking in the airport. Our flight took off and an hour later landed back at Alicante! We were herded back into the departure lounge. At a guess I would say about half our flight were smokers so we made our way to the area at the far end of the departure lounge, where we used to be able smoke and all lit up. None of the staff said anything to us, even the armed police just walked on by and never gave us a second glance. This is what I call tolerance, which is greatly needed in such difficult situations, where some people are obviously stressed and nervous. You would not find that tolerance in the UK. A couple of passengers on our flight did complain to us, but we pointed out that we were all staying together and if they did not like it, perhaps they should move to another part of departures, after all, it was a big enough area!
We were finally put up in an hotel overnight, where I, at least, had the foresight once at the hotel check in to request a smoking room - I don't think they were happy, but I just pointed out that I was a smoker and would smoke regardless, as it was not my choice to be there, so I would be grateful if they could accommodate me accordingly. They did.
It is just so unreasonable to put people in these situations though, where they are enclosed, have nowhere to smoke and cannot escape - I guess air rage will continue to increase as more people turn to drink instead of cigarettes.