Are we turning into a police state?

[ian]

Speaking as a non-smoking I do sometimes find it irritating when I have to elbow my way into a pub because of the smokers hanging around the doorway, but I think this notice is a little over the top.  I cannot see how the police have the power to enforce it. Sorry but this photo is for members only.

[OnTheDrink]

The fact that the manager's put 'By order of Leeds City Council' on the sign suggests to me that a formal complaint's been received by the council licensing department, possibly by the police if they've been unable to resolve complaints made to them.  The usual cause of this sort of nonsense is local residents who complain about noise coming from a pub that was there a hundred years before they moved in. A bit like moving in next to an airport then complaining about the noise.  Problem is, the residents have every right to complain under nanny state laws imposed by nu-labour. That said, I'm well aware of pubs near me where smokers are, to say the least, selfish with regard to local residents and even just people walking past on the (blocked) pavement.

[mghunky]

that notice is a big no no and the council will not have indorsed it

[OnTheDrink]

that notice is a big no no and the council will not have indorsed it

Just something the manager added to give it an official feel. Still think they've had the council on their back though.

[mghunky]

  the police could use the law something about more than is it 3 or 4 people gathered together? they can be asked to dispers? at the end of the day its down to common sence ?
 

[OnTheDrink]

the police could use the law something about more than is it 3 or 4 people gathered together? they can be asked to dispers? at the end of the day its down to common sence ?
 

True, but we don't really know that the police have actually been involved, and if they have, its not likely that they'll have acted without trying to get the manager to resolve any problem first, so they'll only go to the licensing authority as a last resort. Could be the manager's had informal advice and just put the notice up to nip any formal action in the bud.

[OldBreweryDrinker]

As already previously stated is does not look like an official sign from Leeds Council or it would have its logos on it. But one that the manager has made and put the Council's name on it to add authority to it. Like already said maybe the Council have contacted teh manager about the mess outside and had a warning.

[DarkieBoy]

It is a great annoyance of mine to find smokers stood smoking in a pub doorway.  They should not be smoking under the roof and stood in the lobby of a pub smoking is inside.  Also, smokers standing around the doorway smoking is annoying, as people have to endurer the smoke when they enter the pub.  Plus, there is often a scree of fag ends and fag pactets at the front of pubs, particularly busy high street pubs.

DB.

[garybaldy72uk]

Nobody was bothered about smokers until the Ban came in Now they are being made pariahs! ..... and creating a bunch of Jobsworths in the process!

Were all Adults and we choose what we want to do .... Im sure non smokers get on the nerves of Smokers too!

And yes i smoke But id rather stay in than go out now.

[DarkieBoy]

Times are changing.  Personally, I was bothered, and often complained about the stench on my coat and clothes the day after going to the pub.  People are more and more aware of the health implications.

DB.

[yorkie]

One of the reasons smokers huddle round the doorways in Sams pubs is that the brewery refuse to provide any sort of shelters for them.

When there is a covered smoking area, I find that is where the smokers go.

[mac33]

I really feel sorry for you Darkieboy  that you are so annoyed  by smokers stood in doorways,these smokers help the pubs stay open if it were left to the non smokers my sams local would have shut years ago, these people pay good money to be able to stand outside in the cold, humphrey will build no shelters so no one should be suprised when they stand in the doorways.Get a grip leave the smokers alone.

[DarkieBoy]

I also help to keep pubs open, but at the same time I am not killing myself by smoking, nor damaging others' health by inflicting passive smoking on them.

Smoking isn't natural and it is not a human right to smoke.  Smokers have a right to smoke, but none smokers have a greater right to breath clean air, wherever they might be.  Breathing clean air is a human right.  I do not want to breath carcinogenic air when I am walking down the street, in pubs, in beer gardens, etc.  I have a right not to have that inflicted upon me, against my rights.

DB.

[OnTheDrink]

I also help to keep pubs open, but at the same time I am not killing myself by smoking, nor damaging others' health by inflicting passive smoking on them.

Smoking isn't natural and it is not a human right to smoke.  Smokers have a right to smoke, but none smokers have a greater right to breath clean air, wherever they might be.  Breathing clean air is a human right.  I do not want to breath carcinogenic air when I am walking down the street, in pubs, in beer gardens, etc.  I have a right not to have that inflicted upon me, against my rights.

DB.

Smokers always say that us non- smokers had a choice, but we didn't really, until the ban. Now they have a similar choice and most of them don't like it. 

[DarkieBoy]

I also help to keep pubs open, but at the same time I am not killing myself by smoking, nor damaging others' health by inflicting passive smoking on them.

Smoking isn't natural and it is not a human right to smoke.  Smokers have a right to smoke, but none smokers have a greater right to breath clean air, wherever they might be.  Breathing clean air is a human right.  I do not want to breath carcinogenic air when I am walking down the street, in pubs, in beer gardens, etc.  I have a right not to have that inflicted upon me, against my rights.

DB.

Smokers always say that us non- smokers had a choice, but we didn't really, until the ban. Now they have a similar choice and most of them don't like it.

Indeed, non-smokers choice was stifled.  We didn't have any pubs (that I know of) that we could go in and enjoy without any smoke in it.  Remember when people smoked on aeroplanes and on trains (remember the King's Cross fire which was caused by a discarded cigarette) and in shops and restaurants?  Well, those days have gone, and not just in the UK, but across Europe, North America and the English speaking world.  All I can say is good riddance.

DB.