Disagree with Smokefree Legislation? You could go to Jail!

In perhaps one of the most horrific statements I have seen in the smoking wars, the government has instructed courts, when sentencing, to consider whether or not the person:

• agrees with smoke free legislation
• supports smoke free legislation
• is campaigning against smokefree legislation

Let’s paraphrase:

YOU CAN GO TO PRISON FOR DISAGREEING WITH GOVERNMENT POLICY.

Here is the text, which I found on Old Holborn’s blog:

In addition to the evidence of smoking taking place, the Courts have also indicated that they are taking into consideration the following matters:
• the number of occasions on which the council is able to demonstrate that information and advice on the smokefree requirements have been provided to the person in control;
• the failure by the person in control to take action after the receipt of such information and advice;
and
• public statements made by or on behalf of the person in control:
• that they do not agree with or support the smokefree legislation;
• that they are actively campaigning against it; or
• that they do not intend to do anything more than simply inform people that they should not smoke.

Officers of LACORS and the CIEH are continuing to closely monitor prosecutions and may be able to provide information on trends, levels of fines and costs, etc but not of course advice to councils in preparing their own cases. Of particular interest are those cases brought against repeat offenders which test the ability of the council to secure penalties prescribed in the legislation which will act as a deterrent against further offending as this information may be used to inform responses to further consultations by the Government.

And here is the original document.

Related posts:

1. Oppose The Tobacco Bill Now Says Smokefree
2. Lies, Damned Lies – and SmokeFree Wisconsin
3. Urge FDA to help smokers, not cigarettes
4. Send FDA Your Comments Now Urges Bill Godshall
5. Bill Godshall Urges Action

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