What would you do if you were given a fine for Smoking in a public place, especially say in your local park?

Question

I am looking for other smokers willing to stand up for there right to smoke in this so called free country. Is that you??

Answer 1

If it was indoors I would reluctantly pay. If it was outdoors I would seek to challenge the matter in court. Outside, unless a smoker places themselves so close to others that they might inhale some smoke (which would need to be harassment close) there is no other persons human rights to trump his/hers. The anti smoking extremists talk about pollution created by smokers but outdoors this is negligible unlike the fumes coming out the back of 4X4s. When the anti-smoking brigade take as much interest in protecting children from traffic pollution they might have some credibility. If pollutants entering the lungs of innocents warrants a fine then smokers should be at the back of a very long queue.

Answer 2

I am a smoker - however I think a considerate smoker - for instance I dont light up in peoples homes, in non smoking area's etc. but if I were given a fine for lighting up in a park I would take great offence. That is taking away my human rights as a smoker - its a park for gods sake - public ground to do what I wish providing I'm not hurting others and smoking outside does not affect others. I definitely wouldnt pay any fine - to the point I would be prepared to go to prison for non payment to prove that the country has gone mad. I would be in prison - costing tax payers hundreds of pounds per day and for what - smoking a cigarette. And if anyone agrees that I should be locked away in the event of this happening - then you're far more bonkers than I thought you were xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Answer 3

I'm a non smoker i did not think smoking was banned out side all the non smokers who complain about passive smoking do not seem to mind the fumes from traffic which is a lot worse than the paltry amount of cigarette smoke and i have not found any change in the smell from cloths from smoke either and any one who does must have been taking training at the police dog handlers and i hope you all complain when the tax goes up because it will have to come from somewhere it is no longer a free country and where will it stop they will soon be telling you when to drink and then what to eat and then they will find something else and then we will have a dictatorship and then they will tell us all to be happy?

Answer 4

Use the fine paper to roll up with an spark up dude.

The damage from passive smoking outdoors is less than vehicle pollution.

If they stop people smoking outdoors think of all the kids that will be subjected to it indoors.

If someone can raise the same capital generated by smokers, bearing in mind that when a pack cost £ 2 . 75 there was enough cash to build 62 new hospitals a year in the U.K.
Then fine were all the scurge of society, it's not our fault they don't spend the money better.


I'm with you mate.

Answer 5

I'd pay it. And get a nicotine patch.

To those who would say that a park is outdoors, and your smoke is not hurting anyboday, that's bunk. For those who are not aware, some cities have enacted bans on smoking in public places such as parks, where small children can be affected. And I think that "considerate smokers" are a myth. I see so-called "considerate smokers" inside Disneyland, just puffing away, despite the fact that the place is loaded with small kids (and there's no smoking there, either, except in designated spots). I guess they just couldn't wait.

Answer 6

here in scotland the law says
it is an offence to smoke or knowingly to permit smoking in an enclosed public place.
this means that even bus shelters are non smoking if they are enclosed on all four sides.
if you are caught smoking you are fined £50 on the spot. however if the owner of the premises knowingly allowed you to smoke they face a fine of £500.
however it is not an offence to smoke in the open air here ( such as in the park in your example) so luckily that would not happen here

Answer 7

Pay the fine-- like it or not, smokers are social outcasts and regardless of "freedom" this or that, there are those who want to take your freedom away-- even outside.

Here in AZ, many public places no longer allow smoking, even outside in some cities (e.g. parks). As of this last election, all res. and bars etc. do not allow smoking (goes into effect in May).

Sucks but time to quit....

Answer 8

If it was indoors and there were No Smoking signs, I'd not smoke in the first place. If it was in a park, I'd tell to go f**k themselves.

Answer 9

I would object hugely. The smoking bans are in place to protect workers - I don't see how smoking in the great outdoors is going to affect the park attendant's health, short of standing in front of them and blowing my smoke in their face all day......

I think that's a case of the pendulum swinging too far.

Answer 10

I would pay the fine and quit smoking in the park. Free country logic ?? Well someone may want the freedon to urinate in the park. Where do we draw the line. Smoking is so old time, on the way out.