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| What next for health campaigners? | What next for health campaigners? |
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| Will further restrictions on smoking, drinking and eating follow? By Lucy Rodgers BBC News The smoking ban from 1 July is a major victory for health activists, following the ban on tobacco advertising and warnings on cigarette packets. Is this all that they want? | Will further restrictions on smoking, drinking and eating follow? By Lucy Rodgers BBC News The smoking ban from 1 July is a major victory for health activists, following the ban on tobacco advertising and warnings on cigarette packets. Is this all that they want? |
| A smoke-free indoor communal Britain is almost here - less than two weeks and counting. | A smoke-free indoor communal Britain is almost here - less than two weeks and counting. |
| From 1 July smokers wanting a cigarette at the pub will have to go outside. If they're lucky, it could be to a newly-created outdoor haven with parasols, sofas and heaters, as licensees are now keen to cater to the "four Fs" - females, families, food and (al) fresco. | From 1 July smokers wanting a cigarette at the pub will have to go outside. If they're lucky, it could be to a newly-created outdoor haven with parasols, sofas and heaters, as licensees are now keen to cater to the "four Fs" - females, families, food and (al) fresco. |
| COUNTDOWN TO LIGHTS OUT On 1 July, smoking in enclosed public places will be banned across the UKNorthern Ireland, Scotland and Wales already have such a ban; England's ban starts 1 JulyThe Magazine will count down the weeks with a series of articles about the impact of the ban on life in Britain Countdown to the ban For those wanting a fag while at work, facilities will be a rather less salubrious government-compliant shelter. | COUNTDOWN TO LIGHTS OUT On 1 July, smoking in enclosed public places will be banned across the UKNorthern Ireland, Scotland and Wales already have such a ban; England's ban starts 1 JulyThe Magazine will count down the weeks with a series of articles about the impact of the ban on life in Britain Countdown to the ban For those wanting a fag while at work, facilities will be a rather less salubrious government-compliant shelter. |
| With enclosed public places free of second-hand smoke, is it "job done" for anti-smoking campaigners? | With enclosed public places free of second-hand smoke, is it "job done" for anti-smoking campaigners? |
| Not yet. Activists say the ban - which the Department of Health estimates will save thousands of lives during the next decade - is a crucial step in the battle against the damage caused by passive smoke, but is still only part of the fight. The same is said of other recent successes, including getting the legal age to buy tobacco raised from 16 to 18. | Not yet. Activists say the ban - which the Department of Health estimates will save thousands of lives during the next decade - is a crucial step in the battle against the damage caused by passive smoke, but is still only part of the fight. The same is said of other recent successes, including getting the legal age to buy tobacco raised from 16 to 18. |
| "We never thought it was going to be a quick win," says Elspeth Lee, tobacco control manager for Cancer Research UK, which has been campaigning against smoking for more than 50 years, when the link between tobacco and cancer was first made by Sir Richard Doll. | "We never thought it was going to be a quick win," says Elspeth Lee, tobacco control manager for Cancer Research UK, which has been campaigning against smoking for more than 50 years, when the link between tobacco and cancer was first made by Sir Richard Doll. |
| Despite the widely publicised risks, a stalwart of smokers - estimated to be about 10 million - still puff away in the UK. More needs to be done to help them quit because of the huge burden on health, says Rory O'Connor, policy and publicity officer for the British Heart Foundation. | Despite the widely publicised risks, a stalwart of smokers - estimated to be about 10 million - still puff away in the UK. More needs to be done to help them quit because of the huge burden on health, says Rory O'Connor, policy and publicity officer for the British Heart Foundation. |
| Veteran pressure group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) says its dream of "a world free from the harm caused by tobacco" is still a long way off. | Veteran pressure group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) says its dream of "a world free from the harm caused by tobacco" is still a long way off. |
| Number one on the wish-list of the anti-smoking brigade is licensing tobacco retailers to sell cigarettes, which would - among other things - make selling to underage children a criminal offence. | Number one on the wish-list of the anti-smoking brigade is licensing tobacco retailers to sell cigarettes, which would - among other things - make selling to underage children a criminal offence. |
| Can you see what it is yet? Such ads have long since been banned"This is a serious matter, anyone selling to a child is a conspirator in getting them hooked on a highly addictive drug," says Amanda Sandford, research manager for Ash. | Can you see what it is yet? Such ads have long since been banned"This is a serious matter, anyone selling to a child is a conspirator in getting them hooked on a highly addictive drug," says Amanda Sandford, research manager for Ash. |
| In addition, Ash would like to see wider availability of products helping people to quit. "There are many outlets that sell cigarettes, but if you are trying to get hold of a nicotine patch and gum you can only buy them from very few places." | In addition, Ash would like to see wider availability of products helping people to quit. "There are many outlets that sell cigarettes, but if you are trying to get hold of a nicotine patch and gum you can only buy them from very few places." |
| The British Medical Association wants packets of 10 cigarettes banned from tobacco-vending machines, saying they encourage underage smokers. | The British Medical Association wants packets of 10 cigarettes banned from tobacco-vending machines, saying they encourage underage smokers. |
| Screen time | Screen time |
| Other suggestions include a 15 certificate for any film featuring characters who light up, which would exclude viewers under the age of 15, even with parental guidance. Filmmakers would no doubt object to this, as it would limit their potential audience. | |
| MAGAZINE'S QUITTERS' PANEL How are our quitters doing? There is also talk of smoking "exclusion zones" around entrances to buildings and other outdoor areas, such as stadiums and bus shelters. Such zones are already in existence in parts of the United States and Canada. | MAGAZINE'S QUITTERS' PANEL How are our quitters doing? There is also talk of smoking "exclusion zones" around entrances to buildings and other outdoor areas, such as stadiums and bus shelters. Such zones are already in existence in parts of the United States and Canada. |
| Both Ash and Cancer Research UK have stopped short of backing such a move, saying it would only work if the health benefits could be proved and if it had widespread public support. | Both Ash and Cancer Research UK have stopped short of backing such a move, saying it would only work if the health benefits could be proved and if it had widespread public support. |
| Both support the current government position of assessing how the smoking ban goes before deciding whether further powers - already contained in current legislation - are needed. | Both support the current government position of assessing how the smoking ban goes before deciding whether further powers - already contained in current legislation - are needed. |
| "Once people get used to the smoking ban, smoking in a crowded place will be increasingly regarded as antisocial," Ms Sandford says. "I think it will work quite well without legislation - we hope it will." | "Once people get used to the smoking ban, smoking in a crowded place will be increasingly regarded as antisocial," Ms Sandford says. "I think it will work quite well without legislation - we hope it will." |
| But for many smokers and pro-choice campaigners, any prospect of more restrictions represents an assault on freedoms. | But for many smokers and pro-choice campaigners, any prospect of more restrictions represents an assault on freedoms. |
| Artist David Hockney says the ban is an attack on bohemiaArtist and passionate smoker David Hockney has been an ardent critic of the looming ban, arguing it is a blow to bohemia and down to individual choice whether to smoke or not. | Artist David Hockney says the ban is an attack on bohemiaArtist and passionate smoker David Hockney has been an ardent critic of the looming ban, arguing it is a blow to bohemia and down to individual choice whether to smoke or not. |
| "I might point out Turner smoked. Monet smoked and he died at 86. Picasso and Matisse smoked and lived to a ripe old age. They didn't have dreary people telling them what to do," he said on a recent visit to Tate Britain in London. | "I might point out Turner smoked. Monet smoked and he died at 86. Picasso and Matisse smoked and lived to a ripe old age. They didn't have dreary people telling them what to do," he said on a recent visit to Tate Britain in London. |
| His views are backed by Simon Clark, director of pro-smoking group Forest, who predicts that the anti lobby will continue its campaign because it is "pushing on an open door". | His views are backed by Simon Clark, director of pro-smoking group Forest, who predicts that the anti lobby will continue its campaign because it is "pushing on an open door". |
| In reality the measures will not stop smokers because "we are not living in a smoke-free utopian world", he says, and predicts that health campaigners will move on to alcohol after seeing the success of the anti-smoking lobby. | In reality the measures will not stop smokers because "we are not living in a smoke-free utopian world", he says, and predicts that health campaigners will move on to alcohol after seeing the success of the anti-smoking lobby. |
| "Enough is enough. There comes a point where we cannot harass people in this way." | "Enough is enough. There comes a point where we cannot harass people in this way." |
| Nanny state | Nanny state |
| Others share his view. The ban has set a precedent and alcohol will become the new tobacco, says John McNamara, of the British Institute of Innkeeping, the professional body for licensees. | Others share his view. The ban has set a precedent and alcohol will become the new tobacco, says John McNamara, of the British Institute of Innkeeping, the professional body for licensees. |
| I didn't sign up to be everybody's guardian, but that is what we are being asked to be Robert Feal-MartinezFreedom to Choose The government's £10m national alcohol strategy is currently reviewing happy hours and drink promotions. Alcoholic drinks will also carry new warning labels by the end of 2008. | I didn't sign up to be everybody's guardian, but that is what we are being asked to be Robert Feal-MartinezFreedom to Choose The government's £10m national alcohol strategy is currently reviewing happy hours and drink promotions. Alcoholic drinks will also carry new warning labels by the end of 2008. |
| "If the government is not careful it will throw the baby out with the bathwater by going too far and doing too much," says Mr McNamara. | "If the government is not careful it will throw the baby out with the bathwater by going too far and doing too much," says Mr McNamara. |
| Robert Feal-Martinez, licensee and leader of Freedom to Choose, which campaigns against the smoking ban, agrees that drinkers will be the next target. He fears that regulation of food may follow. | Robert Feal-Martinez, licensee and leader of Freedom to Choose, which campaigns against the smoking ban, agrees that drinkers will be the next target. He fears that regulation of food may follow. |
| "What has it got to do with me whether these people want to put salt on their food? I didn't sign up to be everybody's guardian, but that is what we are being asked to be. The government is taking away people's ability to think and once this is lost, it is very difficult to get it back." | "What has it got to do with me whether these people want to put salt on their food? I didn't sign up to be everybody's guardian, but that is what we are being asked to be. The government is taking away people's ability to think and once this is lost, it is very difficult to get it back." |
Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| There will always be a hard core who will not be happy until tobacco is made illegal. Similarly, there are people who believe alcohol should be illegal. There are those who would be happy to see meat-eating made illegal, or all manner of restrictions of food production and consumption. In any debate, there are people with extreme views. However, it is up the government of the day to balance the wishes of all citizens, not just the silent majority or just the ones that shout loudest.Richard, Ashford | |
| This is not about freedom to choose. If I put too much salt on my food, you are not forced to eat it. But when you smoke you inflict your toxins on everyone around you who has no choice but to inhale them. If you insist on smoking, do it somewhere where the rest of us don't have to share it. Rachel Hawkesworth, Birmingham, UK | |
| I am an ex-smoker who stopped three years ago. I wish entrances to shops and malls as well as busy streets were covered. I hate going in the city centre with my son (age 20 months) and having him breathing other people's smoke. Regarding alcohol, some people can't stop and become violent, urinate on the street and smash bottles, bus stops or other people. I don't think this is an acceptable liberty, it's anti-social behaviour and must be regulated. Again, liberty is fine, as long as you don't damage public/private property.Ioana, Leeds | |
| I'm a non smoker and I completely disagree with this ban. People should be allowed to choose what they do with their lives. We should also be able to select whether we go to a smoking pub or a non-smoking establishment. I'm tired of this government telling me what I should or should not do.Jan McDonald, London | |
| Probably next target will be the binge drinking, which I think it is very serious in England. By extending the pub hours it will get sorted. In Spain bars close at 3am and people don't drink as much as English people who are used to drinking from 5pm until 11, usually without any food in the stomach. In Spain you finish work, go home, rest, and then around 10 go for dinner and then to bars. People drink quite a lot but you never see people passing out on the streets like in London.Irma, London | |
| As a smoker, I am pretty much fed up with the argument that I am a drain on the NHS because I may contract a smoking related illnesses which will then require NHS funding to cure me. I have worked all my life, paid my National Insurance and taxes since I left school at 14. I have private medical which I also get taxed on. So from someone who has always worked, contributed to the NHS since the 60s, why am I being victimised, which I will be if the reports are true, by being refused treatment on the NHS because I smoke? I have never been ill in my life and I am now aged 55, so I will be asking for a rebate on all the NIS contributions I have made over the years.Kay, Bracknell, England | |
| We have not nearly gone far enough. As of 1 July, it will be illegal to smoke in a pub, but legal to smoke in a playground. Just because it's not in an enclosed place doesn't mean that smoke isn't going into your or your children's lungs.Martin J., London | |
| The comments from David Hockney et al are the standard pro-smoking rubbish we had to put up with 18 months ago in Scotland. Just because a few artists smoked does not mean this is an attack on "bohemia", and saying "they didn't have dreary people telling them what to do" just makes him sound like a teenager hell bent on rebelling against their parents. Smokers say their choice to smoke in pubs is being taken away. The reality is, the right to enjoy smoke-free enclosures is being installed. Or are smokers going to start suffering at the hands of "passive breahing"?Doug, Glasgow, Scotland | |