GEDLING borough residents have slammed plans by Nottingham City Council to make a number of its outdoor events smoke-free this summer.
The council announced today that the move is to protect children and young people who attend these events.
Smoking won’t be allowed at the Lord Mayor’s Parade, the family area at the Riverside Festival, or outdoor theatres at Wollaton Hall, Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey from this summer.
The decision follows the success of a smoking ban last year at the Beach and Winter Wonderland events in Old Market Square.
But residents across the borough today contacted Gedling Eye accusing Nottingham City Council of being unfair to smokers.
Sheila Moore, from Mapperley, said: “It’s outside and smoking is banned. It’s ridiculous.We smokers were moved outside by the smoking ban a few years ago, now we’re not allowed there either. Where can we go?
She added: “Some kids will miss out now on these events as some parents who smoke and may be put off by attending.”
Michael Watson, of Woodthorpe, wanted to know why the council only target smokers and not drinkers as well.
He said: “I have seen fights break out at events involving people who have been drinking heavily. Surely booze isn’t good for people’s health, but it remains on sale at some of these events.”
James Barnes, from Carlton, agreed that drinkers should also be targeted.
He said: “It makes me laugh. I don’t drink but like a smoke. We get targeted but the council put on a beer festival each year that surely contributes to damaging people’s health.”
Some did agree with the council’s stance on smoking at their events.
@eliliott_stanley tweeted that he was backing the council’s ban.
He wrote: “It should be banned everywhere apart from the odd designated spots away from the main public areas. Imagine if [smoking] had been invented today with all we know about its effects – would never be allowed.”
Today Nottingham City Council defended plans to make their key outdoor events over the summer smoke-free.
Councillor Alex Norris, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health at the City Council, said: “Smoking has a huge impact on the health of Nottingham’s citizens. It’s a major cause of illness and explains much of the differences in health between the richest and poorest people in our city.
“It’s right that across all organisations in the health community we make this a priority and we’re delighted to announce this programme of events.
“This is not about preaching to people but about making a concerted effort to raise the awareness of damage that smoking causes, of the positive alternatives we can offer and, critically, break the cycle of smoking being passed down the generations.”
Do you agree that outdoor events in the city should be smoke free? Have your say below or on our Facebook page
Us smokers are treated all ready like lepers. What about the drinkers. We carnt even look for the brand of fags we want to buy because it law not to open the fag doors. But what about the drinkers hey. There are many alcoholic our there they can go and look for the beer they want to buy. God it makes me so mad. Were are our human rights
Well the car park should be closed for the event aswell. Especially as they have admitted that car exhaust fumes cause cancer and other breathing difficulties. Many smoker don’t smoke at these events. The ones that would will do so anyway, smoke free or not.