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Smoking ban finally surfaces

Posted in General, Mel Varley May 22nd, 2007 by Melinda Varley

When the government launched its smoking ban campaign this week it certainly didn’t expect much of a backlash. After all, smoking kills, but tell that to the little old ladies who will be stepping away from their favourite past time in protest.

Research conducted by St Minver revealed earlier this week that one in three bingo players will play less often when the smoking ban comes into full force and one in ten players would stop playing in clubs all together.

I think the smoking ban is a brilliant idea and I for one cannot wait to go out and not have to deal with the smell of smoke in my hair and clothes.  

Furthermore, let me cast your mind back to the powerful campaign produced by the Public Health minister Caroline Flint that showed how much dangerous, poisonous smoke is actually around smokers. That invisible smoke is not just toxic, it can cause cancer. So why should people who don’t smoke be punished for those who do?

St Minver’s research concludes that 62 per cent of bingo players are gambling with more than just their money by lighting up. That means there is a whopping 38 per cent of people that are being exposed to cancer causing chemicals because of someone else’s selfishness to light up in a crowded place.

The ban should have come sooner and should eventually include streets as I for one would like to walk down Oxford Street for once without having cigarette smoke blown in my face.