Monday
Nov082010
MP hails victory for Dutch smokers
Monday, November 8, 2010 Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South and a supporter of the Save Our Pubs & Clubs campaign, has again called on the Coalition Government to review the smoking ban "in light of the decision made in Holland to allow some pubs to reintroduce smoking".
Binley said: "The Dutch Government held their promise and reviewed the smoking ban two years after its implementation. The British Government must change their approach to this issue and review the matter as the previous Government said that it would. I am delighted by the decision in Holland to allow smokers back into the pub and it is a good sign for the mounting campaign in Britain."
Above: Brian Binley at the Great British Pub Awards 2010 in September
Reader Comments (69)
And, Desmond -
Re your "Surely we can be permitted "smoking" pubs, clubs & hotels?".
That is the one argument I have NEVER seen successfully refuted by the Antis - even in their own terms. I bet it's the one they dread most. And if they insist on dredging up the old 'protecting-the-staff' routine, then we can easily counter with North Sea trawlermen, miners, squaddies in Afghanistan, stunt men, divers, jump jockeys etc etc.
Let's face it: it's a VERY weak door - which it shouldn't take very much to kick down. Let's keep reminding them of it!
Well, from my recent very pleasurable experience, the cracks are appearing! Before the liberalisation of the licence hours, most of us enjoyed a late night drink thanks to the 'Lock In' Now we have the late night 'Smoke In'. Do we have to wait a generation or so for the government to wake up to the wishes of it's voters. I say well done to the Dutch, it gives a whole new meaning to the phase DUTCH COURAGE. Were has common sense gone and what happened to good old fashioned British compromise? Not to mention the right of a adult to be treated like an adult and not to be made to feel second class. Where are my humane rights?
I was on the bus this week and Stonewall the gay rights campaigning group had a slogan which I think is relevent to us smokers, it read:
"Some people are gay get over it."
"What about some people smoke, get over it."
Rose2 - Good post. Tells us so much about how these wretched people think. They have no intention of stopping anytime soon.
well done holland forseeing common sense.
and lets all back Brian Binley, he's the only person in England who has some fight.
Martin V.
Watch these two short videos on youtube, I think you will find them very interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ysxfoi1gSh4&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVv1ypBRJBI
For those seeking a holiday free of anti-smoker harassment, Nepal is another good choice. A long way, I know...
Only in the few westernised hotels is smoking (predictably) frowned upon. Just avoid. Everywhere else they offer you an ash tray!
Does the Government realise that British legion clubs ,old soldiers have to stand outside in the elements in order to light a fag?
Well done Mr Binley; I wish there were more like you in Parliament.
Eddie - once again - many thanks. Unfortunately, "we've tried it - and it doesn't work" (well not on air-borne tobaccco-related particulate matter, at any rate). Tobacco Smoke (our latest research shows) is, in fact, Black Magic. And NO filtration system will deal with THAT. What we need, quite clearly, is a very powerful White Witch. Anyone from Lancashire here?
I am sick of the smoking ban. Where is our choice? Everybody has rights except smokers.
well done Holland for making a stand. Perhaps England will follow but I wont hold my breath as MPs dont keep their word, as we all know. We need our pubs and clubs, it is our tradition. I hope Mr Binley keeps up his fight for all us smokers who stay at home now where we have freedom of choice.
"it is our tradition...."
And if there's ONE thing our Architects of the New positively HATE, it's 'tradition'. I'm surprised that some 'guru' hasn't yet come up with the idea of a political party dedicated to the idea of CONSERVING (and building upon) the best aspects and features of our rich culture. But what could we possibly CALL it, I wonder?
I Do not smoke, but I will not go in non smoking pubs, I spent years in the forces and always fondly remember pubs as being smoke filled, noisy and child free places, If you can't stand smoking in pubs maybe you should not be in them, moaning about how other people get their enjoyment. As I remember it there were non smoking areas to be found if that was your choice.
Martin V Go to Hebden Bridge i'm sure you will find a white witch.
The smoking ban here will not be amended for the simple reason our glorious leaders now have a feel of power and control over us. It will be up to a quiet revolution to change it. I.e every single pub brings out the ashtrays and to hell with the consequences. Will they do it ? Will they hell!! People power is the only answer.But, unfortunately as we all see every day, the masses have accepted the brainwashing.
PEOPLE POWER
For many years I worked in the office of a large public corporation. About 20 years before the public smoking ban, the corporation agreed that individual offices (containing staff of up to about 30 people) could be declared no-smoking areas if the majority wished it & the manager agreed. The local union rep, a non-smoker, took a survey but didn't include any of the smokers who made up more than half the staff. Then, with a 100 per cent support figure, he had smoking banned in our room.
When I discovered what had happened, I declared that I was ceasing my union membership on the grounds that the union were not representing me. I also approached all the other smokers who agreed to do likewise. The smoking ban was dropped!
Now retired, I do the same with political parties. I will not give my vote to anyone who supports this vindictive anti-smoking legislation. I tell them when they are on my doorstep. I write to them & I email them.
What if we all adopted these tactics. It might make a few politicians think aagin.
I have just come back from a holiday in Spain, and I estimate that 99% of restaurants and bars are SMOKING.
And in Spain they are meant to be in the middle of a terrible economic crisis, but they appear to be much happier than us Brits.
I wonder why?
No coincidence that the Dutch are the first to rebel since
they know what it's like to be occupied by the real Gestapo!
- in fact, - My dad served in holland with the RAF during the war
and he'd be spinning in his grave after having fought one dictator,
only to be told by another little Hitler to go outside for a smoke!
...can't wait to book my flights to Schiphol and enjoy a pint and a ciggie while
standing at the bar and enjoying the craic - like a free Irishman!
I read these comments with a huge sigh of relief. It really is about time we did more than send petitions though. this draconian situation is against our very basic beliefs of a right to live in freedom. Lets get going and tell the new goverment what we expect and demand, the right to smoke in our pubs and cafes.
Cheers to all you