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Bristol trials smoke-free zones in two public squares | Bristol trials smoke-free zones in two public squares |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Two city squares in Bristol have become Britain's first major public outdoor spaces to go smoke-free after a voluntary pilot launched. | |
The initiative came into effect in Millennium Square and Anchor Square on Bristol's Harbourside. | |
Smokefree South West, which initiated the voluntary pilot, expects the scheme to police itself. | Smokefree South West, which initiated the voluntary pilot, expects the scheme to police itself. |
Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, criticised the scheme as an example of "creeping prohibition". | Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, criticised the scheme as an example of "creeping prohibition". |
Smokefree South West director Fiona Andrews said it was an "exciting" time and hoped the project would create a lasting legacy. | Smokefree South West director Fiona Andrews said it was an "exciting" time and hoped the project would create a lasting legacy. |
"We hope it will have a lasting impact not only on Millennium Square and Anchor Square, but on the wider region," she said. | "We hope it will have a lasting impact not only on Millennium Square and Anchor Square, but on the wider region," she said. |
"These city centre squares are often full of children playing and this pilot will provide a smoke-free environment for kids and their families to enjoy." | "These city centre squares are often full of children playing and this pilot will provide a smoke-free environment for kids and their families to enjoy." |
The smoke-free zone will be promoted with signs that thank people for keeping Bristol smoke-free, healthy and clean. | The smoke-free zone will be promoted with signs that thank people for keeping Bristol smoke-free, healthy and clean. |
But Mr Clark said: "Extending public smoking bans to outdoor areas is illiberal and unwarranted. | But Mr Clark said: "Extending public smoking bans to outdoor areas is illiberal and unwarranted. |
"Smoking in the open-air harms no-one apart, perhaps, from the consumer and that's their choice. | "Smoking in the open-air harms no-one apart, perhaps, from the consumer and that's their choice. |
"Tobacco is a legal product. Smokers contribute £10bn a year in tobacco taxation alone. They must be allowed to light up somewhere without harassment." | "Tobacco is a legal product. Smokers contribute £10bn a year in tobacco taxation alone. They must be allowed to light up somewhere without harassment." |
Last year a report by former health minister Lord Darzi suggested UK cities should ban smoking in public spaces and parks. | Last year a report by former health minister Lord Darzi suggested UK cities should ban smoking in public spaces and parks. |
Cities including New York, Toronto and Hong Kong have already banned smoking in key outdoor locations, but Bristol is the UK's first to pilot smoke-free zones. | Cities including New York, Toronto and Hong Kong have already banned smoking in key outdoor locations, but Bristol is the UK's first to pilot smoke-free zones. |
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