It so happens that I agree with Mr Castle that private motorists ought not to smoke whilst actually driving, but there should be no restriction on passengers doing so.

Prior to the current smoking restrictions becoming law I was sent a most helpful booklet by Alnwick District Council which I have studied in detail.

The essence of the legislation is that smoking is not permitted in "a substantially enclosed space" in use by the public.

The weakness of the legislation is that it is on the basis of one size fits all.

Thus for example, a pub which does not serve food and may already have provided a non-smoking room is prejudiced to a greater extent than say, a hotel or guest house, which is permitted (subject to the approval of the proprietors) to nominate a certain number of 'smoking' bedrooms.

The result is that many smaller pubs are having to close their doors due to lack of custom.

Smoking is not forbidden in the open air.

Therefore, how is it that hospitals forbid smoking in their grounds and likewise railway station authorities forbid smoking on open platforms at some distance from station buildings.

Alnmouth station is a good example. Here one may stand on one side of the wall and blow smoke over the platform (if the wind is in that direction), but one is not allowed to stand on the platform side of the wall and smoke.

Hospitals and railway authorities may forbid smoking for their own reasons but they cannot do so in the name of the law.
By displaying the official no-smoking signs they are themselves breaking the law.
In so far as I am aware, railway by-laws cannot over rule an Act of Parliament.


Speaking for myself, I smoke a pipe and am astonished when approached by complete strangers (often non-smokers) saying how much they enjoy the aroma.

Why is it that cigarette smoking gets all the publicity and pipe smokers are virtually ignored?

Incidentally, in a specialist tobacconist shop, one is permitted to try out pipe tobacco and cigars on the premises.
PEW Mather,
Priory Park,
Amble