Smoking in London parks: which way will Boris swing?
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 0:01 London faces a "public health emergency" says the London Health Commission apocalyptically.
Established by Mayor of London Boris Johnson in 2013 and chaired by Lord Darzi, "one of the world's leading surgeons" and a former Labour minister (natch), the LHC has come up with a series of measures to tackle smoking, obesity, exercise, and drinking to make London a "healthier, slimmer, fitter, city".
The most eye-catching proposal is a call for Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square and 20,000 acres of parks in the capital to go "smoke free".
Naturally the idea is backed by Chief Medical Officer Sally Davies who says it will stop "role modelling in front of children".
The recent recipient of an honorary knighthood, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has also chipped in, calling the plan a "major achievement" (eh?), adding that he is "looking forward to visiting London's smoke free parks and squares".
You can download the full news release – including quotes from Davies, Bloomberg and ASH – here.
The notable missing person is of course Boris. So which way will that great libertarian swing?
My guess is Boris will support the plan. After all, this is the man who earlier this year wrote, Banning smoking in cars is bizarre, intrusive – and right (Daily Telegraph).
Truth is, Boris is far from the "libertarian free spirit" he claims to be. One of his first acts as Mayor was to ban alcohol on the Underground, a completely unnecessary restriction given that laws governing anti-social behaviour already existed.
On smoking bans and other issues he flip flops all the time.
Sadly even self-styled maverick politicians like Boris are addicted to regulations. They can't help themselves.
Ironically, banning smoking in parks and squares reminds me of Ken Livingstone's failed attempt to force London's pubs and clubs to go "smoke free" years before MPs voted to ban smoking in all enclosed public places.
Forest helped defeat that proposal (see our submission to the Greater London Authority investigation which ASH has helpfully kept on file) and I hope we can do the same again.
Meanwhile here's Forest's response to the LHC's call to action:
The smokers' group Forest has slammed calls for Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square and 20,000 acres of parks in the capital to go smoke free.
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sally Davies, has backed the proposal, by the Mayor's London Health Commission, saying it will stop “role modelling in front of children”
Simon Clark, director of Forest, said: "A ban on smoking in parks and squares would be outrageous. There's no health risk to anyone other than the smoker. If you don't like the smell, walk away.
"Tobacco is a legal product. If the Chief Medical Officer doesn't like people smoking in front of children she should lobby the government to introduce designated smoking rooms in pubs and clubs so adults can smoke inside in comfort.
"The next thing you know we'll be banned from smoking in our own gardens in case a whiff of smoke travels over the fence."
He added: "If Boris Johnson supports this move it will blow to smithereens his easy-going image.
"It will demonstrate he's just like every other politician climbing the greasy pole, happy to micro manage our lives and trample on ordinary people."
PS. The London Health Commission news release was embargoed until 00:01hrs this morning. I did my duty and delayed publishing in order not to break it.
Update (00:24): The BBC News website has the story here (Trafalgar and Parliament squares smoking ban call). There's no opposing comment from Forest (or anyone else) despite the fact we sent them our response this afternoon. I've just spoken to the UK news desk to make that point. Let's see what happens.
Update (00:30): The Daily Mail has the story here – Ban smoking in public parks: England's most senior doctor warns lighting up in public places encourages children to take up the habit. It includes a comment from Forest.
Update (00:46): The BBC News website has updated its report to include a quote from me. Better late than never.
Update (00:56): The Mirror also has a report, with a quote from Forest (Ban smoking in all London parks says Chief Medical Officer):
Simon Clark of smokers' group Forest blasted the proposals as "farcical".
He said: "There's no health risk to anyone other than the smoker. If you don't like the smell, walk away.
"The next thing will be a ban on smoking in our own gardens in case a whiff of smoke travels over the fence."
And now, to bed ...
Simon Clark
More coverage:
Smoking Ban Could Be 'Blueprint For Britain' (Sky News)
Ban smoking in London's parks, health advisers urge Boris Johnson (Guardian)
The Telegraph (Ban smoking in public parks: Lord Darzi) clearly wrote its report straight from the LHC news release. There's not a dissenting voice in sight.
Ditto The Times (Boris set to ban smoking in London's parks and squares), although at least they've re-written the story in their own words.
Is it just me or is there a sense of deja vu about all this? For example, the arguments used on the radio this morning (I was on BBC Radio London) are the same that were used to justify the indoor smoking ban.
For example, asthmatics need protecting etc. The difference this time is "the children" – we have to "protect" the children from the sight of people smoking.
ASH, by the way, are "delighted". I think I'm going to scream.
Update: Good Morning Britain contacted me at 05:44 to ask if I'd go on the programme this morning. I had to tell them I'm in Cambridgeshire (admittedly about the get a train to London) so unable to do it.
More to follow.
Reader Comments (14)
"The next thing will be a ban on smoking in our own gardens in case a whiff of smoke travels over the fence."
Why give them ideas?
After watching Boris Johnson on the Andrew Mar show on Sunday nothing would shock me what this fool will do next. And he wounder's why people are voting Ukip. If this goes through, during next years general election I'll spend a couple of days in Hillindon (West London) where he's standing, helping Ukip, and remind the people of this consistency a vote for Boris is the same as a vote for Lib/Lab, plus how are they going to enforce this?.
It is clear that the establishment is suffering a bad case of OCD on the subject of smoking
"plus how are they going to enforce this?."
Cyclistas will be encourage to ring their bells at the sight of a CHILD ABUSER- ooops I mean 'a smoker'- to alert The Royal Park Constabulary of course.
Interesting phone in on Radio Five Live this morning on this 'next logical step'. I may be biased but I gathered the view that most of those against this stupid proposal were non smokers. So there is hope for us yet. Personally I think it is an unworkable 'busybody's charter' doomed to failure.
#WeSmokeWeVote I think they are going to have to learn the hard way.
There is now only one response we can give these smokerphobic bullies - Fuck Off. Every smoker has a duty to ignore any outdoor ban. I know I will.
Boris is clearly not in favour. Storm in a tea cup. It'll all blow over in a couple of days; just like the minimum alcohol price, smoking in cars and all the rest of it. Wait until the first ebola case. That will be the last we'll hear about smoking in parks.
Once again High-up busybody's dictating what people can or can't do in their private lives .Freedom in this country is slowly being eaten away. Why is tobacco still a legal substance if so dangerous ? Who gets the TAX REVENUE
The Puritan cabal are at it again, aided by polititians jumping on a bandwagon. Based on no evidence at all they curtail our liberty under the spurios cry of "Save the Children". If it gives the remotest glimmer of comfort or is seen by the elite as lower class the cry goes out "Ban it" If they were remotely serious about public health they would be banging on about the currently known greatest carcinogen Benzine. Strangely we here nothing substantive about the effects of using this substance, better known as Deisel.
Why would it be unworkable? During NuLabour's reign of terror we had zealour little jobsworths ready to pounce on the smoker who dropped a butt - in fact I seem to remember one issuing an instant fine on the grounds that he thought that the smoker was thinking about dropping her fag end. All they need do is police the decided 'smoke-free' zones with minimum-waged people puffed-up with their own importance because they get to issue fines - two birds with one stone killed: unemployment figs down and bank balance up - kerching!
And they wonder why people are turning to UKIP in their droves!
Yes Joyce. They can enforce if if there's money to be paid by penalising those who ignore them. Look at the fascist thugs in Ireland demanding nutters pap heir horns to alert police if they see adults smoking in their own private property that has nothing to do with them.
Where there is a will, a nasty authority, money to be made from persecution, a groomed army of anti-social nutters, and over-paid jobsworths, then enforcement is possible.
I repeat. All smokers have a duty to ignore this.
Either make smoking illegal and give up all the lovely taxes and have the added bonus of putting all the fanatic anti smokers out of a job or bring some sanity to the whole business and allow smoking pubs, clubs and restaurants where the owner decides and leave adults alone.
Common sense prevails!
This won't happen now...Cameron doesn't want it neither does Boris who thinks it would be a step too far. Common sense has prevailed.
This of course won't please the antis. Hooray!
If it wasn't for the increasing popularity of UKIP this ludicrous idea might have succeeded. David Cameron won't want any stupid distractions for the next by election and next years general election and Boris can sink his plans for a second term by backing such crazy ideas. Roll on Nigel Farage and hurry up in getting us our designated indoor smoking rooms.