100 shoppers caught in town smoking blitz (From South Wales Argus)

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100 shoppers caught in town smoking blitz

1:14pm Tuesday 20th May 2008

comment Comments (35) Have your say »

By South Wales Argus Newsdesk »

MORE than 100 people have been caught illegally smoking in a public place in Cwmbran town centre in the last six weeks.

And from tomorrow those who continue to ignore warnings and light up in banned areas will face being handed a fixed penalty notice costing £50, or £30 if paid within 15 days.

The figures follow a crackdown by Torfaen council's environmental health department since the anniversary of the Wales-wide ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces on April 2.

The covered areas in the town centre form an enclosed area.

People smoking there have been the subject of numerous complaints to both environmental health officers and Cwmbran town centre management.

Warnings were handed out to offenders and tomorrow environmental health officers will again be in the town centre issuing fixed penalty notices to anyone smoking within the covered area.

Torfaen council and Cwmbran town centre management have worked together to improve signage to tell smokers where they can and cannot smoke.

And announcements on the town centre tannoy system will be changed to warn smokers that they risk being given a fixed penalty notice.

A Torfaen council spokesman said: "The smoking ban has now been in place for over a year and everyone should be aware of where they can and cannot smoke.

"Officers have worked hard since April 2007 to provide help and advice to local businesses and the general public to ensure they do not receive a fine.

"We are pleased that only 1 fixed penalty notice has had to be issued to date and we hope that by taking a proactive approach, enforcement action will not be necessary.

"We wish to remind everyone that smoking is not allowed in any covered area of town centre, this includes all areas within the bus station and that anyone found smoking risks receiving a fine."

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Your Say YourGwent

gemmav, Cwmbran says...
3:39pm Tue 20 May 08

im glad Cwmbran is taking action. I myself smoke and it does my head in that people think that the ban doesnt apply to them and quiet casually work through town with a fag in their mouth. I dont do it, why should they!

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opionionated, there says...
3:57pm Tue 20 May 08

the problem is, THIS STARTED AS BEING ILLEGAL LAST YEAR. Its been a criminal offence since. so WHY NOW start fines when they SHOULD have started LAST APRIL! A similar report fromt he argus a few months ago promised action by torfaen council. and this time they have done the same.

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>Nicola<, Cwmbran says...
4:27pm Tue 20 May 08

It's about they started to do something. I'm sat in the bus station in the morning waiting for the college bus to take me to pontypool and there is always one women who is sat on the bench by me smoking when there is a sign right behind her saying you can't smoke.

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gemmav, Cwmbran says...
4:36pm Tue 20 May 08

opionionated wrote:
the problem is, THIS STARTED AS BEING ILLEGAL LAST YEAR. Its been a criminal offence since. so WHY NOW start fines when they SHOULD have started LAST APRIL! A similar report fromt he argus a few months ago promised action by torfaen council. and this time they have done the same.

in an ideal world yes they should have started fines straight away.

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Crooky, Newport says...
4:54pm Tue 20 May 08

I have never smoked but believe this is one step too far. Any excuse to lever money out of peoples pockets.

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gareth, newport says...
5:16pm Tue 20 May 08

Crooky wrote:
I have never smoked but believe this is one step too far. Any excuse to lever money out of peoples pockets.

I disagree.

Forget the specific incident, we either live in a society where we obey laws, or we don't. We cannot pick and choose those which we want to obey.

If we know the law and break it, then we should accept the results.

Obviously the police have run a softly softly approach so far on a very emotive subject, but a year is long enough for it to bed down.

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jane, wales says...
5:39pm Tue 20 May 08

I am also a non smoker, and do agree with crooky, any way to get money out of people.. I do feel sorry for the smokers they aren't allowed to smoke anywhere nowadays, soon the only place they will be allowed, will be their own homes or they we be fined as soon as they step out of their door!!!! So much for freedom!!!

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A Man in the Know, Cwmbran says...
5:42pm Tue 20 May 08

opionionated wrote:
the problem is, THIS STARTED AS BEING ILLEGAL LAST YEAR. Its been a criminal offence since. so WHY NOW start fines when they SHOULD have started LAST APRIL! A similar report fromt he argus a few months ago promised action by torfaen council. and this time they have done the same.

I believe that it was agreed across Wales that there would be a graduated approach to enforcement.

This article refers to the 100 shoppers caught at the start of April 2008 and tomorrow will be the action proposed in that earlier article by the Environmental Health Team at Torfaen Council

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gareth, says...
5:48pm Tue 20 May 08

jane wrote:
I am also a non smoker, and do agree with crooky, any way to get money out of people.. I do feel sorry for the smokers they aren't allowed to smoke anywhere nowadays, soon the only place they will be allowed, will be their own homes or they we be fined as soon as they step out of their door!!!! So much for freedom!!!

they aren't allowed to smoke anywhere nowadays

We're getting a little melodramatic here. We are actually allowed to smoke almost anywhere outdoors throughout the UK.

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tinntinnabulation, Cwmbran says...
6:00pm Tue 20 May 08

I have to confess the being of those holier than thou people who is a reformed 40 a day man. That said, I do believe smokers are being persecuted and find it incredible that Torfaen BC can twist the regulations in the non smoking legislation to apply to all parts of Cwmbran Bus Station. I quote ":Meaning of enclosed and substantially enclosed
premises

2.(1) For the purposes of section 2 of the Act,
premises are enclosed if they have a ceiling or roof
and, except for doors, windows and passageways, they
are wholly enclosed either permanently or temporarily.

(2) For the purposes of section 2 of the Act, premises
are substantially enclosed if they have a ceiling or roof
and any openings in the walls have a total area which
is less than half of the area of the walls, including
other structures which serve the purpose of walls.
(3) In determining the area of openings for the
purposes of paragraph (2), no account is to be taken of
openings in which there are doors, windows or other
fittings which can be opened or shut.
(4) In this regulation roof includes any fixed or
moveable structure or device.
E" Complete Humbug !

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tim, Magor says...
6:20pm Tue 20 May 08

The smoking ban should only apply to fully enclosed areas such as inside the shops.It is banned on railway stations that are only covered by a roof over part of the platform.Just more new Labour nanny state.

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bmw, says...
7:42pm Tue 20 May 08

smoking is anti social full stop if you dont like it dont smoke

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BD, Somewhere in Gwent says...
8:28pm Tue 20 May 08

Welcome to the Labour nanny state. Soon we will be fined for taking a **** at 10:30am on a saturday morning.

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Simon, Newport says...
8:39pm Tue 20 May 08

This is basically a law that makes something, which should be a common courtesy, enforcable. We wouldn't need this law if people actually behaved with a degree of respect for those around them.

Imagine you are an "ex" smoker trying to give up, and some ignorant smoker is stood next to you fumigating you with their smoke. Its not helpful in the least, and is certainly not considerate. Out in the wide world, they can just simply walk off, elsewhere, it is not so simple, especially when there are numerous smokers around.

As for "a way of extracting money". I have to laugh at that statement and how ridiculous it is. Basically by this statement you suggest that there should be no punishment for breaking this rule (law). Are there any other laws you would like to see which have no consequence if broken??? How about speeding? Murder? Rape? Theft? Shoplifting? Drunk & disorderly? Assault? Where do you draw the line? A law is pointless without consequences for those who fail to abide! Why do we think that crime and lawlessness is so rife??? Nothing to fear when/if caught...

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chas, suffolk says...
8:12am Wed 21 May 08

You can't do this. You can't do that. A fine for this. A fine for that. You WILL obey.
One wrong item in a bin or leave the bin slightly open and you receive a hefty fine and a criminal record.
No wonder the Labour party are losing councillors all over the country.
We Are being controlled.

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Eveswell Elvis, Wetherspoons Maindee says...
8:15am Wed 21 May 08

Simon wrote:
This is basically a law that makes something, which should be a common courtesy, enforcable. We wouldn't need this law if people actually behaved with a degree of respect for those around them. Imagine you are an "ex" smoker trying to give up, and some ignorant smoker is stood next to you fumigating you with their smoke. Its not helpful in the least, and is certainly not considerate. Out in the wide world, they can just simply walk off, elsewhere, it is not so simple, especially when there are numerous smokers around. As for "a way of extracting money". I have to laugh at that statement and how ridiculous it is. Basically by this statement you suggest that there should be no punishment for breaking this rule (law). Are there any other laws you would like to see which have no consequence if broken??? How about speeding? Murder? Rape? Theft? Shoplifting? Drunk & disorderly? Assault? Where do you draw the line? A law is pointless without consequences for those who fail to abide! Why do we think that crime and lawlessness is so rife??? Nothing to fear when/if caught...

A good articulate point, something that is usually lacing on this web site!!

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D Taylor, Newport says...
8:59am Wed 21 May 08

I think many people are missing the point being argued here which is that people smoking in Cwmbran shopping centre are probably not breaking the law no matter what a spokesperson for the council says. This no doubt explains tha lack of prosecutions.

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js, cardiff says...
9:03am Wed 21 May 08

you must be a complete mug if you smoke in this day and age. The price of the packets should be enough to put anyone off but if you are still fool enough to try one then the damage it does not only to yourself but to others.

Unfortunately smokers have been allowed to get away with their disgusting habit for far to long and this smoking law should have been brought in in the 70's and then we wouldn't be having this problem now !!!!

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gareth, Newport says...
10:20am Wed 21 May 08

Eveswell Elvis wrote:

Simon wrote:
This is basically a law that makes something, which should be a common courtesy, enforcable. We wouldn't need this law if people actually behaved with a degree of respect for those around them. Imagine you are an "ex" smoker trying to give up, and some ignorant smoker is stood next to you fumigating you with their smoke. Its not helpful in the least, and is certainly not considerate. Out in the wide world, they can just simply walk off, elsewhere, it is not so simple, especially when there are numerous smokers around. As for "a way of extracting money". I have to laugh at that statement and how ridiculous it is. Basically by this statement you suggest that there should be no punishment for breaking this rule (law). Are there any other laws you would like to see which have no consequence if broken??? How about speeding? Murder? Rape? Theft? Shoplifting? Drunk & disorderly? Assault? Where do you draw the line? A law is pointless without consequences for those who fail to abide! Why do we think that crime and lawlessness is so rife??? Nothing to fear when/if caught...
A good articulate point, something that is usually lacing on this web site!!

Yeah Simon, what do you think you are playing at. Coherence and robust argument on this forum? Sorry, not allowed buddy.

If you want to be part of this happy few, please consider the following:

We live our lives by natural human instinct. Many times they keep us safe, but, now and again, they make us opt for a quick and easy solution to a problem; and one of these is blame.

The blame culture is everywhere. A trip. A fall. No job. It has to be someone's fault. Sue them! "It was them." "They did it." "Get rid of them and life will be fine."

Whose fault is it? Who can we get rid of to make life fine?

So, if you want to be taken seriously on this site: decide what it is about your life that you don't like; be honest with yourself about the decisions that you made in your life which placed you where you are today; and then throw these reasons away.

Now get yourself a few large potatoes, place one squarely on either shoulder, take a deep breath, then launch a tirade of blame.

Govt, immigrants, asylum seekers, travellers, those who who have done something silly that ended in tradegy. It doesn't matter.

Something is always someone's fault and the quicker you learn this, the better you will fit in here.

ow, nd it elps iff U cann knee-ver spel, punktyou8 nd injoy a meegur nolij uv gramur.

Just a thought... :-)

[quote][bold]Eveswell Elvis[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Simon[/bold] wrote: This is basically a law that makes something, which should be a common courtesy, enforcable. We wouldn't need this law if people actually behaved with a degree of respect for those around them. Imagine you are an "ex" smoker trying to give up, and some ignorant smoker is stood next to you fumigating you with their smoke. Its not helpful in the least, and is certainly not considerate. Out in the wide world, they can just simply walk off, elsewhere, it is not so simple, especially when there are numerous smokers around. As for "a way of extracting money". I have to laugh at that statement and how ridiculous it is. Basically by this statement you suggest that there should be no punishment for breaking this rule (law). Are there any other laws you would like to see which have no consequence if broken??? How about speeding? Murder? Rape? Theft? Shoplifting? Drunk & disorderly? Assault? Where do you draw the line? A law is pointless without consequences for those who fail to abide! Why do we think that crime and lawlessness is so rife??? Nothing to fear when/if caught...[/quote] A good articulate point, something that is usually lacing on this web site!![/quote] Yeah Simon, what do you think you are playing at. Coherence and robust argument on this forum? Sorry, not allowed buddy. If you want to be part of this happy few, please consider the following: We live our lives by natural human instinct. Many times they keep us safe, but, now and again, they make us opt for a quick and easy solution to a problem; and one of these is blame. The blame culture is everywhere. A trip. A fall. No job. It has to be someone's fault. Sue them! "It was them." "They did it." "Get rid of them and life will be fine." Whose fault is it? Who can we get rid of to make life fine? So, if you want to be taken seriously on this site: decide what it is about your life that you don't like; be honest with yourself about the decisions that you made in your life which placed you where you are today; and then throw these reasons away. Now get yourself a few large potatoes, place one squarely on either shoulder, take a deep breath, then launch a tirade of blame. Govt, immigrants, asylum seekers, travellers, those who who have done something silly that ended in tradegy. It doesn't matter. Something is always someone's fault and the quicker you learn this, the better you will fit in here. ow, nd it elps iff U cann knee-ver spel, punktyou8 nd injoy a meegur nolij uv gramur. Just a thought... :-)

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Raymond Clouter, says...
12:51pm Wed 21 May 08

yes its great find all that are caught smoking and also thoses who carry beer cans to drink in there brown bags.

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js, cardiff says...
2:10pm Wed 21 May 08

Raymond Clouter wrote:
yes its great find all that are caught smoking and also thoses who carry beer cans to drink in there brown bags.

here we go again tit for tat - ffs just obey the law and have a bit of consideration for us non smokers for a change !!!!

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jim lawler, lanarkshire says...
3:47pm Wed 21 May 08

i assume that all you non smokers who want the smoker banned dont drive,drink ,fly by plane,obey all laws,are p.c. and support the illegal wars were involved in
if you do,then please
give us all a break and stop throwing stones at others who are fed up to the teeth with your paranoia

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js, cardiff says...
4:35pm Wed 21 May 08

jim lawler wrote:
i assume that all you non smokers who want the smoker banned dont drive,drink ,fly by plane,obey all laws,are p.c. and support the illegal wars were involved in if you do,then please give us all a break and stop throwing stones at others who are fed up to the teeth with your paranoia

you miss the point again!!!!

If you do break the law you pay the penalty or are you saying smokers should be excempt from this?

You appear to show the same selfish attitude that as accompanied a lot of smokers over the years - try and give someone else a bit of sonsideration for a change - !!!!

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chas, suffolk says...
6:06pm Wed 21 May 08

This Government has introduced over 3,000 new criminal laws since 1997. Does anybody agree with ALL of them.

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Bill, Bath says...
7:44pm Wed 21 May 08

The law to ban smoking in enclosed spaces is based on fraudulent science. Passive smoking has minimal or no harmful effect on non-smoker's health. It is therefore a bad law and should be ignored at every opportunity. The law gives the local council jobsworth an other excuse to extract money from the local populace.

Amend or end this draconian smoking ban NOW and allow choice of non-smoking and smoking venues. With public houses closing their doors for the final time at 4 per day and accelerating - this act of vandalism by New Labour has to be stopped. Even the most saintly of anti-smoker will not have a non-smoking pub to go to. That reminds me.. where are all these extra non-smokers that were going to fill these smokefree paradises?? No where to been seen - what a suprise!!

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Mary Peck, U.S.A. says...
8:42pm Wed 21 May 08

I have C.O.P.D. on oxygen 24/7 all caused by second hand smoke. I never took one drag from one. Yet my lungs are full of tar and nicotine. My parents never dreamed way back when, that every time they lit up they were dooming their child to a shortened life hooked to an oxygen hose. They should have passed this law many years ago

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js, cardiff says...
9:28am Thu 22 May 08

Quote

"Passive smoking has minimal or no harmful effect on non-smoker's health"

Bill in bath you are a complete fool !!!!

Please stay there and smoke yourself to death away from me

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chas, suffolk says...
9:28am Thu 22 May 08

Jazz musicians like Acka Bilk, Chris Barber and Kenny Ball have worked nearly all their lives in smoke filled rooms. They are 80 years old plus and are still performing to this day.

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Nigel Hall, Cardiff says...
1:14pm Thu 22 May 08

JS Cardiff: ever been a member of the Nazi party?

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Nigel Hall, Cardiff says...
1:16pm Thu 22 May 08

Mary Peck:
nonsense. Lungs do not "get full of tar or nicotine", any more than they get full of pollen or diesel particulates.

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Nigel Hall, Cardiff says...
1:19pm Thu 22 May 08

PS: presumably you parents lit up at home. Are you proposing to ban smoking at home as well?

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js, cardiff says...
1:27pm Thu 22 May 08

Nigel Hall wrote:
PS: presumably you parents lit up at home. Are you proposing to ban smoking at home as well?

Nigel you have all the answers apart from the right ones !!

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chas, suffolk says...
9:55am Fri 23 May 08

Friday 15th Feb 2008.
Professor Julian Le Grand, Government advisor on Health, stated on national radio 'I don't actually think the arguments on passive smoking are all that strong'.

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Mervyn James, says...
6:20pm Fri 23 May 08

While I don't agree with smoking personally, it does seem this 'crackdown' is simply a wheeze to screw more money out of you walking the street. If only these 'concerned' councils would apply the same zeal to graffitti, youth abuse, and vandalism and the yob culture, we would be more inclined to go along with it. Rather than use 'terror' laws to help offset the Bin Lonneys of this world, they use the law to fine people puttingthe rubbish in a bin the wrong way, is it because Al-Queda don't pay taxes or fines or what ?

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gemmav, Cwmbran says...
5:01pm Tue 27 May 08

js wrote:
you must be a complete mug if you smoke in this day and age. The price of the packets should be enough to put anyone off but if you are still fool enough to try one then the damage it does not only to yourself but to others. Unfortunately smokers have been allowed to get away with their disgusting habit for far to long and this smoking law should have been brought in in the 70's and then we wouldn't be having this problem now !!!!

not being funny JS, but wind your kneck in, who are u to say im a mug or a fool just because i choose to smoke. I work hard, i pay my way, if i want to smoke, i will, ''smokers having been allowed to get away with their disgusting habits bla bla... i take it your a fine example of the perfect citizn, with no 'disgusting habits' lol. I hate how everyone well mostly non smokers presume all smokers are disgusting and inconsiderate people. shame on them!!! lol

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