More on outdoor smoking bans.
Prior to the launch last week of Smoked Out: The Hyper-Regulation of Smokers in Public Places we received a very welcome message of support from Conservative MP Nigel Evans which I read out on the night:
Sadly I cannot be with you this evening but I feel very strongly about this issue. It's not other people's smoke that is suffocating but other people's over regulation that is killing me!
As in all these cases the solution is balance and proportionality. Those who smoke are not inconsiderate morons who wish to inflict their smoke on other people, but there are a group of arrogant activists who believe that smokers have no rights, and wish to inflict their intolerance and uncompromising attitudes on others.
If we do not stand up to those who would dictate through over regulation the activities of those who have the temerity to partake in a legal activity in open air, then how long is it going to be before they dictate the length of my hair, the colour of my ties, the number of sugars in my tea or how many biscuits I can have with it?
This is not their final push. This is just another step towards the clipboard mentality deciding how we will lead our lives. It's a freedom thing and I for one will stand up and say to these people – back off.
To download Smoked Out: The Hyper-Regulation of Smokers in Outdoor Public Places, click here.
Below: Manifesto Club director Josie Appleton at the report launch
