Readers react to the idea of an outdoor smoking ban in Oldham

Oxfordshire County Council made national headlines last week after it revealed a plan to ban smoking outside pubs, restaurants and offices, as well as in certain other public areas.

The move is part of the council’s strategy to go ‘smoke-free’ by 2025, although it is unclear how it intends to enforce the ban.

Other councils are also tackling smoking head-on, particularly in the north east of the UK with Durham, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland all bringing in new measures.

However, Oldham Times readers gave a resounding ‘no’ when asked for their response to the idea of a similar move in Oldham, where the percentage of smokers is a bit higher than the national average.

Many of those opposed to the idea were non-smokers, and the reason for their opposition focused on the impact on hospitality.

Diane Wrigley said: “No. I’m a non-smoker and totally disagree! The smokers have already been forced outside. Anyone objecting needs to stay inside or stay at home. This would kill the pub trade completely if implemented.”

Rachel Mellor added: “No, it’s ridiculous. Don’t smoke but think this is beyond a joke now. It’ll be the last nail in the coffin for pubs.”

And there were several comments on Facebook suggesting an outdoor smoking ban might lead to the UK becoming a ‘nanny state’.

This is a term for a country in which the Government is overprotective to the point where it limits people’s personal freedom.

Meanwhile others were blunter in their response, with Melissa Jackson saying: “What a load of baloney, good luck trying.”

However, some readers spoke up in favour of an outdoor smoking ban, while other readers used ‘likes’ to imply support for the idea.

Lynn Marsden said: “Yes, this is long overdue. No one wants to breathe in someone else’s stale smoke.”

In a later comment, she went on to add breathing it in feels like being ‘choked to death’.

Karl Gray went a step further, seeming to suggest smoking should be banned ‘full stop’.