Smoking ban - first post for a while.
This isn't a whinge about the ban itself. Although I think that anti-smoking legislation in the UK is far more heavy-handed and petty than most European countries, I accept that many people welcomed it and neither side will ever agree on the matter.

Where the hypocrisy comes in is that I read that although we can't smoke in restaurants, pubs, clubs, work vehicles, subways, outdoor toilets, under the arches of bridges etc, the original plan was that there would be just one place where smoking would be permitted indoors.

The Houses of Parliament.

Apparently this was in recognition of the "unusual hours" that politicians have to work. I understand that they since backed down on this and there is of course a chance that it was a tabloid-induced rumour. If so please enlighten me.

If it's true, though, this is textbook hypocrisy.
(eesnahk, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 16:07, 10 replies)

I know an MP...
sadly, it was true, from what I can tell.

God Bless the Glorious Peoples' New Labour Revolution (if you don't, they'll cart you off as a thought criminal)...
(Chad, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 16:15, closed)

I've heard that rumour too
I think one can still smoke in foreign embassies, can't upset the diplomats.
( stopmeandslapme Cometh the hour, cometh your mum, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 16:21, closed)

Bit of info for you
Most councils have actually got rid of their smoking inspectors (Nazis) so tell your local to get the ash trays out :). Also as I understand it Smoking in the Houses of Parliament has been banned for years anyway. The original reason for this urban myth that they could still smoke in the HP was because crown residences were exempt so her madge can still spark up her Lambert & Butler at buck house etc. It also means the you can smoke in prisons & mental institutions (Although I believe the latter now comes under the ban too). So basically the only people allowed to smoke are the queen, Nutters & Criminals. Now if you don't call that hypocrisy I do!!!
( Big Ian has stopped changing his sig, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 16:22, closed)

Well it's clearly not hypocrisy
since the queen, the nutters and the criminals weren't all campaigning for the ban were they.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 16:36, closed)

they fucking were!
couldn't move down my local without tripping over nutters, criminals and HRH campaigning to stop smoking in pubs!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 16:51, closed)

Oh, I forgot all bout the
Cornish Royal Nutter Crims Anti-Smoking riots of the early 2000s.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 17:02, closed)

Devon
thank you very much!

*mutters about the Cornish*
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 18:18, closed)

Smoking Ban?
devilskitchen.me.uk/2008/07/its-one-rule-for-them.html

Found this that suggests otherwise.
(manwiddicombe is thinking of something witty to add here, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 18:09, closed)

It's quite right that MPs are allowed to smoke indoors and you aren't.
If you can't see why this should be the case, you're clearly too stupid to ever achieve enlightenment.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Fri 20 Feb 2009, 23:49, closed)

I heard that it was because it's listed as a 'palace'
not too sure on the vaildity of that though.
(King Baby Duck more than a ceiling, Sat 21 Feb 2009, 2:03, closed)