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Watchdog looks into smoking complaints

8:17am Saturday 21st April 2007

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COUNTY smoking enforcement staff are investigating two complaints that people have been sparking up in public premises despite the smoking ban.

But, Pembrokeshire County Council said, smokers in Pembrokeshire have generally been observing the new legislation.

"We're pleased with the public's very positive response to the ban," said Mike Drew, the council's smoke-free co-ordinator.

"Our first impressions are that local people and businesses are, for the most part, aware of the regulations and complying with them.

"The current period of fine weather is helping efforts to secure compliance by allowing smokers to leave the building to smoke in reasonable comfort.

"It is recognised that efforts may need to be stepped up further later in the year, especially during periods of inclement weather."

The two complaints were reported via the smoke-free compliance helpline, set up to report breaches of the law.

Mr Drew said the council would now be carrying out a substantial number of unannounced visits to monitor the ban.

"We visited hundreds of premises before the ban came into force, and we are keen to keep up the momentum," he added.

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Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
9:16am Mon 23 Apr 07

'The two complaints were reported via the smoke-free compliance helpline, set up to report breaches of the law.'.
This is the cowards approach. How do the LA propose to use 'snitch' line info to warn or prosecute, I am sure the premises owner would rightly say, 'prove it' or get lost May I ask this and any other LA how many of the premises they have visits pre ban were not hospitality?. I was talking last night to a Welsh mechanic from the Rhondda who was commenting how stupid the ban was, he works in his workshops with the doors wide open, he uses blow torches has fume extraction for the vehicles etc. As he says how can he be at risk from ETS. Anyone have an answer.?

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Eddy, London says...
10:35am Mon 23 Apr 07

As with all the other issues around the new smoking law, you are still completely clueless.

Your child-like confusion and naivety is almost charming, but always amusing.

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Colin Grainger, Banff, Scotland says...
11:38am Mon 23 Apr 07

Eddy,

If there is anyone in the whole of the UK that knows more about the smoker ban legislation than Robert I will be deeply surprised.

Golden rule: research first, post comments second.

You can learn about Mr F-M here: www.freedom2choose.co.uk

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Eddy, London says...
1:50pm Mon 23 Apr 07

Colin Grainger wrote:
Eddy, If there is anyone in the whole of the UK that knows more about the smoker ban legislation than Robert I will be deeply surprised. Golden rule: research first, post comments second. You can learn about Mr F-M here: www.freedom2choose.co.uk
Clearly not otherwise he wouldn't be asking such basic questions.

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Donal McCarthy, Cork, Ireland says...
8:20pm Mon 23 Apr 07

Like the man said, Eddy; Research first, post comments second.

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mandy vincent, Cambs uk says...
12:43am Tue 24 Apr 07

Robert, So the ventilation from all the rubbish the mechanic is subjected to works for him then, is it just barstaff that ventilation does not work for.
How are the unions allowing people to work in hazardous jobs if ventilation does not work?
Mike Drew should be pleased considering the ban is a passive smoking scam

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Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
8:03am Tue 24 Apr 07

Eddy it is not for me to comment on my expertise in this field, however I would like to ask you if you would be prepared to work in this guys garage with the doors closed and his extraction turned off. As he pointed out to me with the doors open he doesn't really need the exhaust extractors on but HSE says he has to. HSE also says Passive Smoking is not a measurable health risk in the workplace. So compare that to the garage where they do consider exhaust fumes a risk, even with the door open. Amusing, hopefully, naive, not on the subject of ETS.

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Eddy, London says...
12:39pm Tue 24 Apr 07

"HSE also says Passive Smoking is not a measurable health risk in the workplace."

Actually they didn't and this is where you continually unravel. Quoting selective text, not only out of context but inaccurately, completely nullifies your point.












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Robert Feal-Martinez, swindon says...
4:13pm Tue 24 Apr 07

Not on slightest out of context Eddy. The link to their advisory document for all to see.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/fod/oc/200-299/255_15.pdf

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Bill Gibson, says...
2:11pm Wed 25 Apr 07

As with many Eddie...I doubt you will bother checking facts therefore page 3 Section 9

from the senior Government Agency tasked with the health of employees nationally namely the Health & Safety Executive.

The evidential link between individual circumstances of exposure to risk in
exempted premises will be hard to establish. In essence, HSE cannot produce epidemiological evidence to link levels of exposure to SHS to the raised risk of contracting specific diseases and it is therefore difficult to prove
health-related breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

As has been said before...reserch first, post second.

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mrs sharp, leeds west yorkshire says...
9:41pm Mon 26 Nov 07

take a leaf out of spains book concerning smoking in public places they have stood up to the ban and it only lasted a week . everyone smoked in bars clubs cafes and resteraunts. well done spain

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