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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| England counts down to smoke ban | England counts down to smoke ban |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Smokers across England are having their final puff at work and the pub before the ban on lighting up in enclosed public places begins at 0600BST. | Smokers across England are having their final puff at work and the pub before the ban on lighting up in enclosed public places begins at 0600BST. |
| The move follows bans across the UK, and is intended to cut deaths from secondhand smoke. | The move follows bans across the UK, and is intended to cut deaths from secondhand smoke. |
| Many venues are planning farewell events for the final Saturday night, while local authorities are preparing to enforce the ban. | Many venues are planning farewell events for the final Saturday night, while local authorities are preparing to enforce the ban. |
| Anyone lighting up illegally will face a fine of up to £200. | Anyone lighting up illegally will face a fine of up to £200. |
| Regulars at the Prince of Wales pub at Hagley, Worcestershire, are having a smokers party with free cigarettes and a tobacco-themed disco featuring only tobacco-related hits. | Regulars at the Prince of Wales pub at Hagley, Worcestershire, are having a smokers party with free cigarettes and a tobacco-themed disco featuring only tobacco-related hits. |
| And others are coming up with novel solutions for smokers - locals at the Miners Arms in Bristol will be offered fluorescent jackets to go outside and smoke in safety, easily visible to cars. | And others are coming up with novel solutions for smokers - locals at the Miners Arms in Bristol will be offered fluorescent jackets to go outside and smoke in safety, easily visible to cars. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY What will happen when people give up smoking, what will the Government do for revenue? Jan Matthews, Dalton-in-Furness Send us your comments | |
| Landlord Gerry McLoughlin, said: "I chose these jackets because I did not want to put smokers off coming here. | Landlord Gerry McLoughlin, said: "I chose these jackets because I did not want to put smokers off coming here. |
| "On a rainy day like today they are just what you need. Rather than spending my money on a new outbuilding I thought I would do this." | "On a rainy day like today they are just what you need. Rather than spending my money on a new outbuilding I thought I would do this." |
| Celebrations | Celebrations |
| But while for some the weekend means a last chance to party, for others the celebrations are only just beginning. | But while for some the weekend means a last chance to party, for others the celebrations are only just beginning. |
| Before the weekend, a public cigarette execution was organised by campaign group Help - For a Life Without Tobacco. | Before the weekend, a public cigarette execution was organised by campaign group Help - For a Life Without Tobacco. |
| The cigarette was given the chop amid cheers opposite the Tower of London - the place where "enemies of state" traditionally met their fate. | The cigarette was given the chop amid cheers opposite the Tower of London - the place where "enemies of state" traditionally met their fate. |
| Smokers are making the most of their last chance to party | Smokers are making the most of their last chance to party |
| Meanwhile some are worried that the ban will mean the demise of the traditional pub and other social haunts such as shisha cafes. | Meanwhile some are worried that the ban will mean the demise of the traditional pub and other social haunts such as shisha cafes. |
| And businesses failing to comply with the ban could be hit with fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to put up "no smoking" signs. | And businesses failing to comply with the ban could be hit with fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to put up "no smoking" signs. |
| Dickie Dawes, from Dinky's Dinah on the A458 near Shrewsbury, told the BBC that his 24-hour cafe would be open when the ban comes in, and that he was preparing early to tell people to stub out their cigarettes. | Dickie Dawes, from Dinky's Dinah on the A458 near Shrewsbury, told the BBC that his 24-hour cafe would be open when the ban comes in, and that he was preparing early to tell people to stub out their cigarettes. |
| He said: "At that time in the morning we get quite a lot of revellers who've been out all night clubbing and of course some of them perhaps a bit worse for wear for a little drink. | He said: "At that time in the morning we get quite a lot of revellers who've been out all night clubbing and of course some of them perhaps a bit worse for wear for a little drink. |
| "So it could be pretty hard tomorrow to sort it out." | "So it could be pretty hard tomorrow to sort it out." |
| The ban is designed to protect people from the effects of secondhand smoke at work, which doctors estimate kills more than 600 people a year. | The ban is designed to protect people from the effects of secondhand smoke at work, which doctors estimate kills more than 600 people a year. |
| The government also hopes it will help smokers to quit, and discourage children from taking up the habit. | The government also hopes it will help smokers to quit, and discourage children from taking up the habit. |
| Meanwhile a legal challenge to the ban has been launched at the High Court. | Meanwhile a legal challenge to the ban has been launched at the High Court. |
| Freedom To Choose says the change in the law contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights. | Freedom To Choose says the change in the law contravenes the European Convention on Human Rights. |
| Are you taking part in any of the "last night of smoking" parties in your local pub or club? | Are you taking part in any of the "last night of smoking" parties in your local pub or club? |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 . | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 . |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |