Blackpool smoke ban rebel convicted - Page 3 - Blackpool Discussion Forums

big al · #41 15-11-07, 11:01

if the choice was left to to landlords of pubs and members of clubs then you have the choice of using them or not to thats where it is unfair will the non smokers and goverment help them when they go bankrupt

Christian1985 · #42 15-11-07, 14:09

Where the ban has been a rousing success in Scotland and Wales the whole 'pubs will close down' myth has been proven to be a myth. All the pubs where I live are not going out of business. Besides I believe if we had 'smoking pubs' the pro-smokers would still campaign against the ban and start calling 'non-smoking pubs' the bigoted evil and all that sort of abuse I have had for being an anti-smoker on other websites. The ban was drafted by a panel of experts they would have considered this idea and obviously found it impractical.

Sweetpea · #43 15-11-07, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by big al

if the choice was left to to landlords of pubs and members of clubs then you have the choice of using them or not to thats where it is unfair will the non smokers and goverment help them when they go bankrupt

This would effectively stop non-smokers from using pubs once more because, financially, just every pub landlord is going to do it.

Christian1985 · #44 15-11-07, 23:15

That was a thought I had. If you give them the choice they will all alllow smokers minus about 2 or 3. I know The Dunes (my local) welcomed the ban but others will just all be smoking pubs. Like I said that idea is impractical and unworkable. Besides the whole point of the ban is from a public health point of view to make people give up not encourage and endorse smoking.

Jason · #45 16-11-07, 07:42

I've said this so many times.......why couldn't they just have banned smoking in food serving establishments.

big al · #46 16-11-07, 10:13

i agree but this argument will go for ever

big al · #47 19-11-07, 12:32

manchester evening news today they are now trying to ban you smoking outside of pubs now as people are blocking the pavements this is getting beyone a joke now

Sweetpea · #48 19-11-07, 16:06

It was beyond a joke for people who did not smoke for bloody years. I now get pissed off because I have to walk through crowds of smokers on their breaks outside shops and banks. You can't drink at work, and you certainly should not smoke at work.

Jason · #49 20-11-07, 08:06

SMOKE rebel landlord Hamish Howitt today lost his licence after trading standards officers ruled his premises had poor health and safety records.
Blackpool Council Licensing Panel decided to revoke his licence at Delboy's Sports Bar, on Rigby Road, central Blackpool, after the premises failed two under-age test purchases and showed what trading standards officers called: "A lack of proactivity in implementing health and safety measures."

But Howitt, 55, of Park Road, Blackpool, who became the first publican in the country to be convicted of breaching new smoking legislation, has vowed to appeal against this latest decision.

He said: "There is a campaign of hatred against me. My premises are safe, I would not put my family, customers or staff in danger."

Sweetpea · #50 20-11-07, 16:26

He's an idiot, shooting himself in the foot.

Christian1985 · #51 20-11-07, 16:58

I agree, campaign of hatred what a joke. The Licencing Committee has got more important things to do than set up childish little vendettas against people. Of course his premises are safe (if he says so). If I was driving my car with bald tryes and a vehicle inspector pulled me over and said you are driving an unroadworthy vehicle, of course I would turn round and say, But I have been driving for a week like that and it is safe. When is he going to accept this is a lost cause and he can't win. Besides where is he getting all the money to fight these charges last week he said he was broke. Also he is back in court tommorow for more smoking charges, the judge is going to throw the book at him this time.

Jason · #52 20-11-07, 18:25

He'll lose his licence for The Happy Scots Bar this time when his licence is due for renewal.

Christian1985 · #53 20-11-07, 18:29

When I used to work in an off-licence my manager told me that you lose your licence for getting a criminal record. They said they would have their licence revoked if the store got fined for underage drinking, so I amazed he still has a licence to be honest after his smoking conviction the other week.

angie 50plus 2 · #54 20-11-07, 23:04

where i work you carnt smoke even outside the building i work with challenging behavior and the smoking ban has been hard for us smokers but if you are in prison serving youre time youre allowed to smoke just in case it upsets the prisoners and makes there behaviour more dangerous what a bloody laugh

Bernie · #55 20-11-07, 23:17

What really puzzles me about all this is how come his pub was okay before? It all seems a little convienient to raise H&S issues now. Personally I think if he had complied with the no smoking ban he would not be in this mess now.

Christian1985 · #56 21-11-07, 09:57

Health and safety inspections are usually random. I know from anonymous sources about hotels in Blackpool with much worse health and safety breaches but because inspections are normally random or they cover it up, they are getting away with it. There was a very heated debate on the Gazette site about this. People wildly and falsely accusing the Council of 'victimising' Howitt. Which I don't believe for a minute. If that is 'victimisation' then I will accuse the Council of victimising me if I got done by environmental health for storing radioactive waste in my garden shed. My point; If you break the law you get punished, no ifs no buts.

Jason · #57 22-11-07, 09:19

I dont think it's a case of victimisation but someone must have brought he bar to their attention.

Jason · #58 22-11-07, 13:36

A BLACKPOOL landlord has appeared in court to battle charges of allowing smoking in his pub.

Hamish Howitt, 55, owner of the Happy Scots Bar on Rigby Road, Blackpool denied five offences of illegally letting customers smoke at the bar.

The acts are alleged to have taken place between November 7 and 16 in the Delboys Sports Bar section of his premises.

Howitt told the court his defence would be based on a breach of human rights.

The case was adjourned to March 26 by Blackpool magistrates for trial.

Christian1985 · #59 22-11-07, 15:45

Exactly the Council are not victimising him. What Jason said makes more sense; It is likely someone tipped off the authorities. The authorities took the tip-off and gave him a surprise inspection. if his bar was safe the inspectors would have said so and left him be.

Christian1985 · #60 22-11-07, 19:21

I just don't understand the logic behind him fighting this second court appearance in March. The ban is not a breach of human rights, it is in the interests of public health, I think that is more important that the privilege of being able to smoke. I bet he will please guilty on the spot because he knows he can't win this ridiculous fight. If the smoking ban is a breach of human rights then so is; students forced to pay tuition fees, parking wardens ticketing people for parking illegally, sending people to prison for breaking the law, being made to take driving tests to get a licence....I could go on for weeks coming up with these sort of examples. But my point is you can't go breaking the law just because you and a small minority don't agree with it.