SMOKING ON BUSES

Smoking on Buses

This is an issue that raises all sorts of concerns amongst bus workers, the bus industry and passengers. Councillor Phil Bateman said "I am pleased to say that Ken Purchase MP for Wolverhampton North East when approached on this subject offered to sponsor an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons which sets out an alternative way of dealing with passengers who will persist in smoking when on a bus, and when the regulations which are enshrined in law forebid such an act. I have reproduced the full motion that has been put down by Ken for readers of the on-line service.

SMOKING ON BUSES 8:7:03
Mr Ken Purchase
Mr Paul Marsden
Mr Mike Hancock
Dr Rudi Vis
Dr Desmond Turner
Mr Andrew Dismore
* 11
Laura Moffatt Jeff Ennis Mr Terry Lewis
Dr Jenny Tonge Mr Kevin McNamara
That this House welcomes the current use of fixed penalty notices in combating anti-social behaviour; and believes that the use of such notices should be extended to passengers who continue to smoke on buses despite bus company regulations to the contrary.

This motion is already receiving interest from the public transport industry and Ken informs me that other Parliamentarians are also showing support for the resolution.

If this EDM could gain wide support and was backed by Government. It would make an instant impact upon the number of smokers that constantly infringe the current regulations.

* Whats your view on this issue, would you support the resolution ? email Phil Bateman with your comments.