A clear case of entrapment?
Friday, May 31, 2013 at 12:38 Email received earlier this week:
I have just paid a fixed penalty notice of £50 for littering, by dropping a cigarette end, outside Waterloo station last Thursday.
Unbeknown to me, a group of about ten civil enforcement officers were targetting people coming off trains and smoking by the bicycle racks outside the station.
Whenever I've done this before, there has always been a litter bin placed there, which I and most smokers use. It wasn't there last Thursday.
When I phoned Lambeth Council to pay the fixed penalty I was told that about 90 tickets had been issued that day at that location.
When I queried the unusual lack of a litter bin, I was told that the bins in the vicinity are often removed when a group of CEOs are performing an operation like this.
If this is true there's a word for such behaviour – entrapment.
Reader Comments (9)
We're smokers and legitimate targets for smokerphobic bullies and councils looking to make a few quid. Everyone is entitled to fair play, equality, protection from hate and harassment except for adult tobacco consumers who must be attacked at every opportunity - it's the law!
I say don't give 'em ammo. They won't kill the cash cow and educate smokers not to drop a biodegradable cig end so we must educate ourselves and pass the word.
Carry a pocket ashtray - simples - don't feed the hungry beast nor support the swivel-eyed loony antis, drooling at the prospect of smoker criminalisation.
I have been to the smoking area by the bike racks at Waterloo station dozens and dozens of times. There has never been a bin in the smoking area. You have walk back towards the entrance and use the bin there -- although sometimes that is moved farther down the road.
The lack of a bin is less of a problem than where the smoking area is located. You have to cross a busy road in front of the taxi stand and bus stop. Sometimes the area is blocked, meaning you have to stand in the road. But to be honest, I've given up using it. The best thing to do is just stay on the pavement and walk away from the entrance about 20 feet. Nobody bothers you -- and that's where Waterloo station employees end up anyway.
Anyway, Pat's correct -- carry a portable ashtray. I never leave home without one in a pocket. The best part about having and using these is that when you do run into a smoker enforcement officer, the look of disappointment on their face is priceless. Giving them two fingers is optional but highly recommended. Actually, FOREST ought to be selling these, now that I think about it. Why aren't you, Simon?
Instead of blaming the lack of litter bin, find the next closest one and use it.
Take some responsibility for your actions instead of blaming others.
I think this situation epitomises the ethos of the current anti-smoker policy. This area by the bike racks (Heh! The back of the bike sheds - I remember that!) has obviously become a place for smokers to take a break and a fag near the station.
(After all, in that tightly enclosed space of Waterloo Station, with no natural ventilation, it would become a toxic fug if people were allowed to smoke in there, non?)
So anyone responsible for this bike-rack area with a vestige of humanity and an ounce of common sense would think to themselves: "What we need is some large outdoor ashtrays dotted around here, emptied every day. That way we can avoid unnecessary litter and provide a service for the now-exiled-from-the-station smokers."
Unfortunately, common sense is not an entry in the TCI lexicon. They do vindictive dogmatism instead.
Uh-huh, nisakiman, it's Lambeth as well - a council famed for it's
governance by the loony left. You can just bet they know what's good for you!
Following Pat's comment, I do find it odd that many people are are so unaware. You don't even need to carry a little ashtray. All you need to do is rub the fag-end on the packet to remove the ash, and then put the filter tip in your pocket. I have done it many times. Of course, it all depends upon where you are!
I haven't been to London for years,having spent my working life there. 'Civil Enforcement Officers'. Quite chillling.
This action is still ongoing, I received an £80 fine today having been cornered by 2 male officers when trying to re-enter the station.
When asking about signs and cigarette bins I was informed that they agreed there was no awareness or option to dispose responsibly and informed me that disposing a butt in a internal station bin would carry its own fine due to risk of fire.
When I warned my friend who was still smoking and others stood near by I was again approach and told by an officer to be quite! They also did not appreciate photos being taken for evidence as there were 7 officers all lingering with the sole intention of persecuting smokers.
I also find it interesting that whilst Lambeth Council fined me I have been informed that managing the situation and provision of bins is not their responsibility as the land is privately owned by Waterloo Station.
They got me yesterday by the bike racks. And when I warned others they asked me to be quiet too.
I am normally very conscientious when it comes to litter but at Waterloo I have never seen a litter bin where I can safely discard my cigarette ends.
I will be on the lookout for them in the future.