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PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:29 am 
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Aberdeen Press and Journal

August 29, 2007 Wednesday

Taxi drivers to be targeted in smoking ban crackdown

Highland taxi drivers are to be targeted in a new campaign to prevent them flouting the smoking ban.


Cabbies could be hit with a £50 fine if they are caught lighting up inside their vehicles by Highland Council enforcement officers.

Since the ban on smoking in public places came into force in Scotland in spring 2006, one in five people served with a fixed penalty notice for breaking the law in the north has been a taxi driver.

Anti-smoking officers will visit drivers at taxi ranks and they will target works vans to make sure drivers are complying with the law. If not, they will be given a fixed penalty notice.

Alistair Thomson, the council's head of environmental health and trading standards, said that while the ban had been well received, it was known that some drivers were disregarding the rules.

He said: "We have visited more than 2,000 premises in connection with the smoking ban and most businesses and individuals have taken a responsible position regarding the smoking ban.

"However, it would appear that a small number of individuals in the taxi trade and in works vehicles are choosing to ignore the law. Indeed, 20% of the formal warnings issued have been to taxi drivers.

"The (anti-smoking) officers have issued free signage to the taxi trade and advised that it is illegal to smoke in these vehicles. We have tried to educate and advise people in these sectors about the ban but, where this has not been effective, enforcement action through the issuing of fixed penalty notices will now be used." He said it was hoped that publicity about the campaign would discourage those drivers still smoking in their works vehicle.

Councillor John Laing, chairman of the transport environmental and community services committee, said: "I commend the council for taking a strong stance on this important issue. I am sure the taxi drivers will recognise the importance of protecting the health of their customers and observing the law."

An organisation representing taxi drivers in Inverness also gave the crackdown its support. Mark Williamson, of the Taxi and Private Hire Association Inverness, said: "Occasionally you see drivers flouting the rules and smoking inside their cars but generally they follow the rules.

"When they started using cars as a public service they should be adhering to rules.

"All operators received a letter in writing informing them of the council's moves.

"The fine would hit drivers but if they stop in the ranks they can get out and smoke in the fresh air rather than smoke in the car."
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:12 am 
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JD wrote:
Aberdeen Press and Journal

August 29, 2007 Wednesday

Taxi drivers to be targeted in smoking ban crackdown

Highland taxi drivers are to be targeted in a new campaign to prevent them flouting the smoking ban.


Cabbies could be hit with a £50 fine if they are caught lighting up inside their vehicles by Highland Council enforcement officers.

Since the ban on smoking in public places came into force in Scotland in spring 2006, one in five people served with a fixed penalty notice for breaking the law in the north has been a taxi driver.

Anti-smoking officers will visit drivers at taxi ranks and they will target works vans to make sure drivers are complying with the law. If not, they will be given a fixed penalty notice.

Alistair Thomson, the council's head of environmental health and trading standards, said that while the ban had been well received, it was known that some drivers were disregarding the rules.

He said: "We have visited more than 2,000 premises in connection with the smoking ban and most businesses and individuals have taken a responsible position regarding the smoking ban.

"However, it would appear that a small number of individuals in the taxi trade and in works vehicles are choosing to ignore the law. Indeed, 20% of the formal warnings issued have been to taxi drivers.

"The (anti-smoking) officers have issued free signage to the taxi trade and advised that it is illegal to smoke in these vehicles. We have tried to educate and advise people in these sectors about the ban but, where this has not been effective, enforcement action through the issuing of fixed penalty notices will now be used." He said it was hoped that publicity about the campaign would discourage those drivers still smoking in their works vehicle.

Councillor John Laing, chairman of the transport environmental and community services committee, said: "I commend the council for taking a strong stance on this important issue. I am sure the taxi drivers will recognise the importance of protecting the health of their customers and observing the law."

An organisation representing taxi drivers in Inverness also gave the crackdown its support. Mark Williamson, of the Taxi and Private Hire Association Inverness, said: "Occasionally you see drivers flouting the rules and smoking inside their cars but generally they follow the rules.

"When they started using cars as a public service they should be adhering to rules.

"All operators received a letter in writing informing them of the council's moves.

"The fine would hit drivers but if they stop in the ranks they can get out and smoke in the fresh air rather than smoke in the car."
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Deny any offence (they have to prove it, not you.)
Don't accept a fixed penalty.
Don't stop your vehicle for these numpties, they're not cops.
Don't smoke in your car at a rank, or with punters aboard.
A smell of smoke is not evidence

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:47 am 
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The first objective of any government is population control. A Government that feels its losing control of the populace enacts a lot of minor laws to distract and control the masses. To make you; the people, the hoi polloi, the proletariat scum, sweat the small stuff. They need to keep everyone distracted from the bigger picture. If you are concentrating on all the small stuff then they are free to do what they want. Think Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, “The War on Terror” and anything else you might be paying for.


Smoking in your own cab...you have got to be kidding.


BTW, I am not a smoker.

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:24 pm 
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Quote:
Deny any offence (they have to prove it, not you.)
Don't accept a fixed penalty.
Don't stop your vehicle for these numpties, they're not cops.
Don't smoke in your car at a rank, or with punters aboard.
A smell of smoke is not evidence


They have to be in uniform, and have
have ID badges clearly displayed.
They both have to witness the act and have a clear view. :?: :?:
There vehicle must display department for the environment on it.
You do NOT have to give your name or address, only an officer of the law can ask for this
They cannot detain you. :D
How can they bring a case against you if there is a rank full of witnesses who state that you was not smoking :wink: :wink: :wink:
:wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:27 pm 
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Posts: 20130
skippy41 wrote:
Quote:
Deny any offence (they have to prove it, not you.)
Don't accept a fixed penalty.
Don't stop your vehicle for these numpties, they're not cops.
Don't smoke in your car at a rank, or with punters aboard.
A smell of smoke is not evidence


They have to be in uniform, and have
have ID badges clearly displayed.
They both have to witness the act and have a clear view. :?: :?:
There vehicle must display department for the environment on it.
You do NOT have to give your name or address, only an officer of the law can ask for this
They cannot detain you. :D
How can they bring a case against you if there is a rank full of witnesses who state that you was not smoking :wink: :wink: :wink:
:wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:


Could be a problem for all the "witnesses" if they have either cctv or photographic evidence. :wink:

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:29 pm 
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gusmac wrote:
Deny any offence (they have to prove it, not you.)
Don't accept a fixed penalty.
Don't stop your vehicle for these numpties, they're not cops.
Don't smoke in your car at a rank, or with punters aboard.
A smell of smoke is not evidence


So what you're saying is that you should only break the law when you know you can get away with it? :lol:

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:57 pm 
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Posts: 50
Location: edinburgh
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: [color=
red][/color] yes


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:58 pm 
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Location: edinburgh
That worked well!!!!!!


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:22 pm 
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Location: 1066 Country
Smoking kills, so why should you need anyone else to tell you to stop? :sad:

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