Another "voluntary" smoking ban

Those "voluntary bans" on smoking in children's play areas are gathering momentum.

Yesterday I was on BBC South Today discussing plans to introduce the policy in Basingstoke. According to reports councillors have taken inspiration from similar measures elsewhere but they've added their own unique twist - an exclusion zone ten yards beyond the play areas.

Actually, 'discussing' may be an exaggeration. I was originally booked for an 'as live' studio interview but that got downgraded to a pre-recorded interview in an empty meeting room where I was filmed sitting in front of a single plant imported from another part of the building to liven things up a bit.

I haven't seen it but if they used more than a ten second soundbite I'll be surprised.

Anyway, I'm on BBC Radio Berkshire in a few minutes talking about the same issue.

Update: Amazing. Just discovered that Basingstoke Council decided to act following a complaint by ONE resident who objected to people smoking while his child was in the vicinity.

One person, one complaint. That's all it took for the wheels of authority to roll into action.

Council say they are now "consulting" but as I understand it they've already asked local children to design posters asking people not to smoke.

Some consultation!

Comments

[Vinny Gracchus]

While I don't encourage smoking in the presence of children, I have an issue with using children as political pawns. Essentially asking children to become anti-smoking activists is exploitation. They do not understand the issue, do not recognize the extremist propaganda employed, and don't know that smokers are being discriminated against and persecuted as a result. This is an abusive practice.