20 replies to this topic

[Penard]

From the beginning of the year, people in France are not allowed to smoke in public places - like pubs, restaurants...

I remember a few years ago a colleague of mine told me a brewer who owned a big brewery visited every day its factory and his employees smoking a cigarett, it wasn't considered as a problem...So you can realize how the improvements are nowadays!

I refer to Charles's topic, I think usual trends in Europ (Ireland, Italy, Hungary, and UK Simon what's the situation?) is to reduce hygienic and cross contamination, to try to reduce health and food risks...So inside our food factories, outside too, the food safety is destined to improve a lot. What about the other countries/ continents?

That was just a thought as for me,

Regards,

Emmanuel.

[Bobby]

Dear Emmanuel,

Dubai also has banned smoking in public areas.

Smoking is strictly prohibitted in food production areas.

Regards,
Bobby

Edited by Bobby, 07 January 2008 - 07:04 AM.

[Charles.C]

Dear Emmanuel,

Hv never studied the claimed evidence for specific health risks from “second-hand” cigarette smoke which I would suppose is a powerful driver for a complete ban if genuinely provable. Even the simple presence of the smoke is a severe allergen-type scenario for some (many?) people.

Don’t know about French equivalents but the Friday / Saturday night visit to the fog–like interior of a public bar has long been a fundamental aspect of English culture. Total sanitisation seems unimaginable.

In a similar way, I remember being amazed several years ago when I first worked in a food factory in Italy - encountered in the canteen the delicious wine in UHT sized cartons automatically available with the self – service meal. Could be classified as a potential safety hazard maybe ? Does it still exist? If so, may not be there much longer ?

IMO, the Internet is offering a new world regarding accesss to information and rapid communication for both "developed" and “undeveloped” areas (forums such as this are one obvious example). I think it is to the credit of various government organisations that they are putting detailed information out there for evaluation (and criticism). In this respect, it seems to me that this explosion of knowledge can only make food safer to eat if the information can be “properly” implemented. But is this happening ? (Hence my Poll.)

Rgds / Charles.C

[Simon]

In the UK I think Scotland were first to ban smoking. They are always the guinea pigs for testing new laws. In case of mass rioting, it’s ‘up there’ and not in London.

In England and Wales we started on July 01 2007. Thinking back it was a good time to introduce as the weather was good and standing outside a pub with a pint and a cigarette seemed quite alright. Not so good now.

Actually it has caused some pubs to close because of the downturn in trade. Mind you this was already happening as many more people drink at home now because supermarket alcohol is so cheap. For example a bottle of Budweiser in a pub is £3.00 and in the supermarket you can buy 24 bottles for £10.00. There is a lot of debate at the moment on the cheap price of alcohol in retail and the possible impact it has on binge drinking and the anti social and health implications.

A lot of pubs and workplaces have created smoking shelters and places outside to cater for patrons and employees, some have patio heaters, and some even have televisions.

Despite the closure of a few pubs, in my opinion the smoking ban can only do good, it has encouraged some people to stop smoking and others have resolved to smoke more. Like any change (and this is a big one) it is not easy, but having the law on your side helps.

After 25 years of puffing I’ve been a non-smoker since January 01 2007.

BTW I audited a Bavarian packaging manufacturer a few years back. They had beer vending machines in production. I think you had to drink so many per day under Bavarian law. I believe the vending machines have gone now.

I also think the smoking ban will help food industry premises have a cleaner, safer environment. Although employees’ smoking outside does present different problems in terms of changing clothes, or if not, keeping clothes hygienic from soiling e.g. bird pooh.

Regards,
Simon

[EuGeNe]

Malaysia is a haven for smoking. Cigarettes are sold in every cafe and corner stalls. People smoke in the streets, while driving, during meals. There are endless possibilities

There is a strict ban on cigarette smoking in my company. However it is not easy to maintain it as people here have already got used to smoking wherever they want to. With the help of a huge fine and lots of checking (thanks to the security officers too), im glad to say it is finally in a controllable stage.

[Penard]

Interesting! We've big differences in Europ or Asia, and some equivalent regulatories in very different countries!

Funny, I was in Birmingham 2 days ago, and I smelt strong odors of cigarett in my cab despite of banning in this area...

Agree with Simon, this ban could help food industries - better awareness of our behaviours even in industries.

Regards,

Emmanuel.

[Simon]

Interesting! We've big differences in Europ or Asia, and some equivalent regulatories in very different countries!

Funny, I was in Birmingham 2 days ago, and I smelt strong odors of cigarett in my cab despite of banning in this area...

I'm not sure the rule on taxis. If the cab is owned by the driver I imagine he can smoke in it, but when he uses it to transport people then he probably cannot. And that leaves the linger of stale tobacco smoke. There are still and always will be people who break the law. Having said that considering the huge change this has been I believe it is being observed very well.

Simon

[Gaskit]

I agree that the rule / law is being observed very well in City centre bar and clubs etc, but having tennanted a pub till May last year and then took over as manager of a parish centre (catholic club) till November and observing the trend when the front doors are locked and after time begins both in the club and my local pub, then out come the ashtrays - no complaints, even from the hardened non-smokers / reformed smokers.

They are now commencing to remove cig machines from pubs and clubs, due to underage purchasing of cigs, that will just mean that many publicans will get a sleave of cigs and a couple of packets of tobaco from the black market and sell them behind the bar (for a little profit). On a course with a well know brewery in preparation for the smoking ban we were encouraged to commence serving nicotine based drinks etc.

One question I throw to the audience!

If I was to roll a cig of tea-leaves (most smokers have tried this as a kid) and lit up in an enclosed public place, would I be breaking the law??

Kind regards,

Steve

[Simon]

I agree that the rule / law is being observed very well in City centre bar and clubs etc, but having tennanted a pub till May last year and then took over as manager of a parish centre (catholic club) till November and observing the trend when the front doors are locked and after time begins both in the club and my local pub, then out come the ashtrays - no complaints, even from the hardened non-smokers / reformed smokers.

I know of this also. I think maybe the authorities turn a blind eye to this. Although it is still against the law, unless a private party where no charge is made for drinks.

They are now commencing to remove cig machines from pubs and clubs, due to underage purchasing of cigs, that will just mean that many publicans will get a sleave of cigs and a couple of packets of tobaco from the black market and sell them behind the bar (for a little profit). On a course with a well know brewery in preparation for the smoking ban we were encouraged to commence serving nicotine based drinks etc.

Good idea, but sounds disgusting. Pint of lager with a nicotine top please.

If I was to roll a cig of tea-leaves (most smokers have tried this as a kid) and lit up in an enclosed public place, would I be breaking the law??

I've tried it and it's rubbish. Good question though - why not give it a try. If we don't hear from you for a while we'll know the answer.

Simon

[Amanda32]

It must cost all these pubs a fortune nowadays to power those outside heaters.

Not particularly environmentally friendly either.

Just a random thought.

[Hongyun]

Singapore too, has ban smoking in clubs/pubs, as well as other public places, like hawker centers, fast food outlets, bus interchanges, etc..

Not that everyone follows the rules, but the cost of cigaretts, graphic warnings, and fines imposed definitely helps alot!

[Simon]

Singapore too, has ban smoking in clubs/pubs, as well as other public places, like hawker centers, fast food outlets, bus interchanges, etc..

Not that everyone follows the rules, but the cost of cigaretts, graphic warnings, and fines imposed definitely helps alot!

I would hate to be a smoker now (I gave up New Years day 2007). Smokers really have become social pariahs, huddled together in shelters. It seems so unnatural. I suppose it is. Even 14 months later I would still like to have a cigarette, I sometimes dream of smoking.

[Charles.C]

Dear Simon,

It seems so unnatural.

Ad agencies will tremble. Are there still ad. agencies for cigarettes in UK ??

For a detailed, very informative ( perhaps over-informative in places, eg see the “England” item ) country situation see this –
http://en.wikipedia....of_smoking_bans
(But no Dubai, sorry Bobby)

Personally I am surprised that the graphic warnings contain no numbers of the type which presumably led to the bans, eg I saw this –
Some 650,000 people die each year in Europe because of smoking and a further 80,000 adults are killed by secondhand smoke.
http://www.euractiv..../article-164147

Perhaps in many places, there are just so many other equally visible personal and environmental hazards to be encountered every day.

Rgds / Charles.C

[Simon]

Perhaps in many places, there are just so many other equally visible personal and environmental hazards to be encountered every day.

I think that's the thing with smoking, because when you are young the negative effects are so far off in the future (it happens to old people) and not imminent you can easily psychologically lessen the significance and likelihood of something bad happening to you. As you get older your once invulnerable body and mind give way to reality. That’s why I started and gave up.

Simon

[GMO]

In answer to your question Simon about cabs / taxis, yes it's banned there too even if there is no customer as that would be classed as a work vehicle.

I used to work in a factory only 3 years ago where you were allowed to wear your production 'whites' in the smokeroom! I hate seeing food workers stood outside, there's all the risks from work shoe contamination, food being taken out and attracting pests etc. I'd ban it totally!

[Simon]

In answer to your question Simon about cabs / taxis, yes it's banned there too even if there is no customer as that would be classed as a work vehicle.

I used to work in a factory only 3 years ago where you were allowed to wear your production 'whites' in the smokeroom! I hate seeing food workers stood outside, there's all the risks from work shoe contamination, food being taken out and attracting pests etc. I'd ban it totally!

Being a newbie non-smoker so would I! We're the most pious don't you know.

[Simon]

Being a newbie non-smoker so would I! Call me annoyingly pious if you want Mr Brownlungs.

[cazyncymru]

In answer to your question Simon about cabs / taxis, yes it's banned there too even if there is no customer as that would be classed as a work vehicle.

I used to work in a factory only 3 years ago where you were allowed to wear your production 'whites' in the smokeroom! I hate seeing food workers stood outside, there's all the risks from work shoe contamination, food being taken out and attracting pests etc. I'd ban it totally!

Would be nice to see supermarket employees follow these rules too, but hey ho, their a law unto themselves.

"do what i say, not as i do"

Cazx

[GMO]

Oh god yes. I've complained to store managers before after seeing high risk items unchilled, employees emptying stock onto the floor before stacking it, dirty slicing machines etc. You think that as they're so hot on the factories, they'd do the same in the store!

I don't know if anyone else has felt the fallout from the Whistleblower programme in the UK but they're even more paranoid about factories now despite the fact that the stores came off worse in the programme, they seem to do b*gger all in them to change attitudes!!!

[cazyncymru]

Oh god yes. I've complained to store managers before after seeing high risk items unchilled, employees emptying stock onto the floor before stacking it, dirty slicing machines etc. You think that as they're so hot on the factories, they'd do the same in the store!

I don't know if anyone else has felt the fallout from the Whistleblower programme in the UK but they're even more paranoid about factories now despite the fact that the stores came off worse in the programme, they seem to do b*gger all in them to change attitudes!!!

I recently tackled the manager of a supermarket after watching one of his employees put together a pizza in the most unacceptable manner!

to be fair, he was aghast to have a member of the public point out the food safety failings of his staff, especially when i told him that i was going to report the incident to the local EHO (which i didn't...but was worth it to see his face change colour) must admit i haven't been back there since.

Unfortunately, this supermarket is no worse than any of the others.

Maybe we should start a poll to see which ones we truly think are worse!

[GMO]

I recently reported my local chinese takeaway when I saw them storing cooked rice for making egg fried out at room temperature. My EHO didn't even reply! Either there are so many takeaways serving up Bacillus cereus the task is just too large or they don't care! Fit, healthy people have been known to die from B. cereus and yet they'd rather audit food factories which have third party accreditation and customer audits. Madness.