Taxi Driver Online

What punishment do you receive in your borough, if caught smoking. In our borough if you are caught smoking, you have your badge suspended for a week, and are unable to work. I know in neighbouring boroughs it's a fine. Is this not illegal what they are doing

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christine

Best to avoid the Problem, Adhere to the law about NOT smoking in a TAxis or PHs and the whole thing is purely academic.

Yes I agree, but we feel that this punishment far out ways the crime, also now e cigs are also banned

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christine

I think it's £70.

How the hell can they ban Ecigs when there's no law against them?

Your Council are talking out of their bullet hole.

Well they have banned them, and the reason they have give is that us thick taxi drivers, might not be able to distinguish the difference between an e cig and a normal cig, but apparently the real reason is, is that someone was caught smoking in their vehicle and they said they were smoking an e cig that looks like a real cig

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christine

Have a read here chris

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22095


and here


http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22304

Yeah I've read them, obviously you are from St. Helens. It's a load of cock and bull. One of the drivers is going in front of commitee, not disputing the fact he was smoking, disputing that the punishment far out ways the crime, and will take it to magistrates if he as to. In Knowsley Liverpool Sefton, it's a fine that you get, not lose a full weeks work

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christine

A driver in St Helens recently had hes badge suspended for 4 weeks for going around the right of a keep left road sign , had a member of the public been caught doing the same would they have received a £2000 fine (4 weeks badge suspension multiplied by £500 a week earnings).
People need to stand up against councils who think they are a law to themselves.

Also read here "anti smoking group blasts council"

http://www.clickliverpool.com/news/liverpool-news/1219489-anti-smoking-group-blasts-council%5Cs-move-to-ban-e-cigs-from-taxis.html

Yeah I read that one aswell. Well the driver I'm on about now is my brother, an ex copper, and will not take this lying down. So will see what happens at the kangaroo court( commitee). I think the council make things up as they go along in this town

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christine

The outcome of this will be interesting, as if he wins, the council will have a few people knocking at their door for loss of earnings, Hackney and private hire should all stick together on this issue

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christine

Good luck , it needs someone with a set of stones to stand up against the kangaroo courts , let us know how your brother goes on.

Interestingly this guy is based in St Helens in case anyone was ever in serious trouble , you never know he may defend someone for a free advert on a cab/car .

http://www.motoringlawbarristers.co.uk/

Get him to also point out that ecigs can be used in St Helens hostpitals and are not ilegal in anyway shape or form

I think your council are acting way above the powers parliament gave them.

The penalty for smoking in a taxi is a fixed penalty, and if the fixed penalty is refused then a court will decide on the guilt or not.

It seems your council are bypassing the agreed process as laid down by parliament.

I suggest you tell the lads never to admit to smoking in cabs, thus ensuring the proper process is adhered too.

All that said, it does kill so please stop.

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IDFIMH

I would be interested to get the views from your council following this scientific study just published in the Lancet.

http://download.thelancet.com/flatconte ... 618425.pdf

In particular the findings that e-cigs are more successful, in the short and longer terms, than patches.

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IDFIMH