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Smoking ban to hit social clubs
Saturday 28th April 2007, 11:40AM BST.
Social club bosses across the West Midlands are preparing for the worst when the smoking ban comes in this summer.
Venue chiefs fear attendance will plummet when smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces on July 1 – although some are clinging to the hope that non-smokers will be encouraged to attend.
Many of their customers are smokers – and bosses say some would rather stay at home than light up outside.
Jack Stain, of South Staffs Entertainment Council, which provides acts for dozens of clubs across the Midlands, said: “A lot of the clubs are really smoky. Sometimes you have to change your clothes as soon as you get home to get rid of the smell.”
Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Social club bosses across the West Midlands are preparing for the worst when the smoking ban comes in this summer.
Venue chiefs fear attendance will plummet when smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces on July 1 – although some are clinging to the hope that non-smokers will be encouraged to attend.
Many of their customers are smokers – and bosses say some would rather stay at home than light up outside.
Jack Stain, of South Staffs Entertainment Council, which provides acts for dozens of clubs across the Midlands, said: “A lot of the clubs are really smoky. Sometimes you have to change your clothes as soon as you get home to get rid of the smell.”
Jack spoke out just weeks after Mecca Bingo, in Skinner Street, Wolverhampton, closed amid fears the smoking ban would seriously affect profits.
He said it was too early to tell if clubs would close, but said some club members were actually being prompted to kick the habit. “If anything, I think the ban could have a positive effect on our clubs,” he said.
“Some people are really trying to give up so they won’t feel the pressure when they can’t smoke indoors anymore.”
Pubs and clubs across the Midlands are spending millions putting up special smoking shelters to accomodate customers.
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I would stay home and invite all my smoking friends over….
…. and spend my time compiling a list of all the legislators that need to be removed from office in the next election.
VOTE for candidates who are progressive rather than oppressive!
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I hope any Scots reading this in are aware that the situation for many pubs, clubs and communities in Scotland is so serious that 5 people have put themselves forward as Publican Party candidates for the elections in May.
They propose sensible amendments to this destructive ban.
The main beneficiaries of this ban will be Pharmaceutical Companies and the Health Lobbyists who introduced it who will be fully rewarded by the growing smoking cessation empire they are creating. They have no understanding of, nor do they care about, the damage they’ve caused by destroying essential social facilities in the false claim that smoking rates will decline – They are as high in Ireland now as they were before their ban 3 years ago.
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Sorry folks but i think it works. Most employees at my wok place have already given up as a result of the no smoking ban. They are now actually starting to realise that it is bad for your health and furthermore makes you an outcast!!! – Hurray for legislation!!! – Big Tony and his crew!
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Brilliant idea and historic legislation.
Nobody should disagree or be sayin the Government is forcing us to do things. No, what they are doin is protecting others health! how can anyone argue ainast this its unbelievable!
I hope the ban works wherever it is implemented throughout the world, and i hope July 1 2007 is a day for England where smoking in public/work places will be banned for good, as in the rest of the UK. Any disagreement is unbelievable in basically every situation – its about others health! It is unfair, and ignorant to ignore the ban – this is one of the best acts of health for many years.
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I know of at least five labour club,s in St.Helens which will close within a few years of this ban coming in,thus depriving hundreds of people their social life,many of them pensioners who will have no option but to stay in their lonely flats,devoid of any social life.
The labour party should hang it,s head in shame,not only as it broken it,s manifesto,it,s destroying it,s very roots,a decision it will come to regret,as the smoking ban ruins communities.
Harry Bradbury.
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I don’t smoke or drink and hate the smell of smoke but a “public house” should be that and a place after a hard week for people to go out and enjoy themselves and do what they want. Rather than people getting away from the wife and chatting with male company they will now sit at home and subject to famly to second hand smoke drink Stella and beat the wife instead
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Well if I was a smoker I wouldnt pay to be put outside, I think it is disgusting. Pubs and clubs are not owned by the public they are privately owned and people are invited in not forced in. However we are living under a government that dosent believe in people having a choice or private property rights, the only thing this government cares about is controlling people, and banning this banning that.I think smokers should form their own union, with 12 to 14 million votes then watch political parties fight over their votes. Come on smokers stand up for your rights you are not doing anything illegal.
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Miss Dynamite,
It will only make you an outcast because of this selfish government and many many people stop smoking for a while but start again as it does relieve stress and is enjoyable! i,d rather smoke than be on Prozac any day.
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I am overjoyed that the ban on smoking in public places will finally start on 1 July. I really don’t like dressing up for a night out and coming home stinking of other peoples cigarettes. I also worry about the damage the second hand smoke will do to me as everytime I go out to a smoky environment I have a cough next day. I was on the dancefloor on Saturday enjoying the music, dancing and singing along to it, and someone was dancing and smoking next to me. After a while I had to move because his smoking hurt my throat and lungs as I was singing along. That’s not right is it? The smokers claim that it’s restricting their freedom not being able to smoke inside, but it is affecting me being in the same room as them. I don’t see why it’s fair for me to suffer when I’m not the one polluting.
And what is the problem with going outside for a few minutes occasionally to have a cigarette to save your fellow man some grief? I’m sure that it will make some people quit, but most will just cut down as the chain smoking effect will be cut as they have to physically get up and go outside every time they need their fix. Is that such a problem if you could potentially protect non smokers from the poison YOU chose to inhale into your own lungs? I don’t have that choice at the moment. My only option to keep the poison out of my lungs with the current legislation is to stay at home all night every night. Surely five minutes outside now and again is a small price. I have been to Norway which is very cold for many months of the year. They imposed the ban a couple of years ago, and according to them they don’t have that much problem going outside to have a cigarette even when it’s cold. And Britain is temperate compared to Norway in the winter! I spoke to some people that were relieved that the ban had come into place as it had helped them quit and others said they were a lot more comfortable going out after the ban.
It might cause some premises to lose revenue at first, but I think that those who wants to prove a point will sooner or later get bored and want to go out again.
I’m sure there are many smokers that will disagree with me and I can see why they would as it will cause they more discomfort with the new legislation, but please think about us that have chose not to inhale poisonous gases into our bodies and respect our right not to do so.
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As an ex club singer i feel sad that it took this long. After 15 years of performing in clubs that had smoke like a thick fog and feeling so ill, its come a little to late. Even now I have breathing problems when I get a cold more than an average person!
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Its a funny old world really.
A while ago I remember reading that “old age” was britains biggest killer.
Never mind… lets look at what the future brings us ….. get up at 6am and get your wheelie bin out by 7.30am / drive to work carefully at 30mph because the adverts tell me its a safe speed,when at work dont mention the war, dont mention race / religion / sex / or pigs because its politically incorrect and it may upset our imported friends. Go the whole day without a cigarette because its now socially unacceptable because of the “nimby” brigade, go to the chemist on the way home to pick up anti depressants because I now cant cope without my ciggies, whilst remembering to get the wheelie bin back in before i’m fined by the council for leaving it out after the designated time.
Mmmmmm, for gods sake kill me now !!!!
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On a recent visit to a local pub for a meal i visited thieir new smoking shelter it was fantastic there were patio heaters it was decked wonderful for those chilly summer nights, The only problem i believe will happen is non smokers will sit in there and moan at smokers who go in for a quick ciggy MARK MY WORDS you will see it happen and we will be out in the cold, there should be a sign saying NO NON SMOKERS
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I have been a professional vocalist for the past twelve years and in the early days performed in many of the midlands social and working mens clubs and still do from time to time. Smoking comes part of the teritary and the atmosphere of these places, and i do think it will have some affect on trade to start with.However from a singers point of view who dos’nt smoke its a god send and i know i speak for many others in the same boat.I personally think that after all the media coverage as calmed and all the harden smokers have realised that they aint gonna stay in the house for ever things will be back to normal, just smelling a bit fresher.
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I’m a non-smoker. However, i think it is disgraceful that people are trying to totaly eradicate the right for people to choose. Why not have designated numbers of non-smoking and smoking pubs/clubs in towns and cities. That way this ‘democratic’country will allow the people the basic right of choice. If you don’t like smoking don’t go to a smoking club and visa versa. Personnaly i don’t like smoking but i think it is shameful that we don’t allow people to make their own decisions about how they run their property and live their lives.
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I think smoking is stupid, nobody needs to smoke. Smoking in clubs stinks and i hate it. The ban is FANTASTIC! bravo to government! x
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