Is the UK smoking ban actually adhered to in London??

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

So within the next 356 days I will be returning to London for a year to live.

I will not be working more than a cpl of hours a day part time and will be spending my days working on a pet project and visiting museums and galleries etc to undertake research. 

I'll of course be wanting pit stops at bars or cafes for a beer, snacks, coffee etc.  If I wouldn't be able to while away a peaceful hour or so with a smoke or two with my beer or coffee- I literally feel as though it will ruin my whole year.

I haven't actually been back there since the smoking ban (except for Chrimbo but we never went to any bars, just family parties and do's etc...) 

Is it actually enforced?  Do all bars enfocre it or do some have special licenses?  Surely a workman's cafe aren't gonna tell plumbers and builders they can't have a fag...?

One of my fave pubs for example, right near the Odeon in Leiciester sqr, run by two Irish guys and full of Irish Londoners by night and the best tap lagers in the capital - surely they're not going to enforce it...?

Anyone know?  Anyone know of any surviving bastions of freedom and choice that still exist...?

If not, I'm in half a mind to just get a long term tourist visa and rent an apt in hbc here...   Or go to Andalucia for the year - surely the madness hasn't caught on in Southern Europe yet...?  Went to Nashville's in Itaewon and they have the smoking ban now....    I was crushed...   I'll never go there again.  E.V.E.R.

[chriscrus]

In my experience it is no one smokes in the vast majority (if not all) of pubs/bars.

That said many build smoking areas outside that are often covered and heated.

I doubt you will find it an issue not smoking inside after you have been there a few weeks/months.

Most people didnt seem that bothered when the ban came in...myself included.

[Rose-uh-teacher]

In a word, yes. If you even get caught trying to have a cheeky one in a toilet somewhere because it's snowing outside you'll be thrown out. Not speaking from personal experience or anything... It's not really a big deal once you get used to it and it's become so much more sociable outside the pub now!

[One Bomb]

Strictly enforced all over the UK.

Like the previous poster says, though, I've actually got used to it now and quite like nipping outside for a cig. Having said that, I do love being able to spark a cig in bars and clubs here, too.

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

Um, trust me I will NEVER get used to it nor do I intend to.

I will never let fascists force me into doing someting that my heart is not into and then later convince myself it is a good thing.

I do not want to become super heatlhy and sociable, I never have been and never will be.  I do not want to become a happy contented metrosexual modern day person.  I forbid it.

I want to enjoy a fag with my pint: not outside away from my pint; or under a makeshift shelter without my pint; but in a nice comfy seat at a table indoors if the weather is bad WITH my pint.  If the weather is okay, meh I can sit outside and smoke and drink if there are places that allow that - is it still allowed in beer gardens or those nice cafes around the south bank near the Tate Modern that have seating outside....?

For winter or rainy days I could turn my home into a pub I suppose....

[dsob]

There is the occasional outdoor drinking area that will have a smoking section or is all smoking.

Smoking in a cafe - no chance.

And I'm sorry that your freedom to smoke has been restricted but I'm pretty happy that I can go home and not stink of smoke. Well, before I came to Korea that is...

[gangwon]

Um, trust me I will NEVER get used to it nor do I intend to.

I will never let fascists force me into doing someting that my heart is not into and then later convince myself it is a good thing.

I do not want to become super heatlhy and sociable, I never have been and never will be.  I do not want to become a happy contented metrosexual modern day person.  I forbid it.

I want to enjoy a fag with my pint: not outside away from my pint; or under a makeshift shelter without my pint; but in a nice comfy seat at a table indoors if the weather is bad WITH my pint.  If the weather is okay, meh I can sit outside and smoke and drink if there are places that allow that - is it still allowed in beer gardens or those nice cafes around the south bank near the Tate Modern that have seating outside....?

For winter or rainy days I could turn my home into a pub I suppose....

Why should you have the right to have a smoke with your pint, but non smokers not to have the right to enjoy a pint without your smoke in the air or the stale smell of a few years worth of ciggies clinging to everything?

[clarson]

I can't tell if you're trolling here or not.  Are you calling people that have died from Cancer due to second hand smoke Fascists? Or are the bartenders, waiters and waitresses that don't want to inhale your cigarettes all day and night the fascists? This has got to be one of your more annoying posts and that is saying a lot.

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

No I am not joking.

You're right, nonsmokers SHOULD IMHO have the right to not be around smoke.

By the SAME token, smokers deserve the right to a well ventilated smoking section and I DO NOT mean a makeshift outdoors shelter.

What's good for one is good for the other.

As for your personal feelings about me, that makes you the troll to even bring them up.

[flasyb]

I was working in a bar the day after the smoking ban game in. A drunk ventured to light up at the bar. There were several audible gasps and women tapped their husbands on the arm, whispered to them and pointed at the drunk. I asked him to put it out or go outside (just doing my job like) and he told me to f*** off. He then slowly swaggered out of the bar puffing on his tab.

It was astonishing how fast the smoking ban took affect and astonishing how fast people's attitudes changed.

My favourite thing in pubs now is when out of a group that I am with, there are more smokers than non-smokers. It's funny when out of a group of ten, seven people go outside to light up, leaving three people inside looking like Bill no mates. Also, smokers tend to be more fun so the best conversation is outside these days anyway. The flip side of that is when you're the only smoker in the group and when you come back inside after a smoke your seat's been taken.

[Nivea]

Yes very strictly. In Scotland smoking was even banned in bus shelters. If you are in a public enclosed space there is no smoking allowed, and that includes hotels as well.

[Waygookingumisi]

I think its all good, I dont have to come home stinking of that smell of rotten smoke on my clothes, I say you its your funeral at end of the day, I never smoked at all and never will, its a disgusting habit and should be outlawed anywhere possible. Coming to Korea I remember some girl smoking puffing the smoke all over, couldn't stand it, .

[missannajones]

Smoking is band nearly everywhere in the UK now and it would be very rare to see anyone break that rule. I'v never seen anyone do it.
It's even band on the streets in some areas if it is considered a public place.
There isn't anywhere you can smoke indoors.
The government have even spoken of banning it in peoples own private cars if there are kids on board.

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

If the above is true, I will be moving to Southern Spain then.  I won live ina country that has that uch control over the individual.

I don't know though, my sister and father both smoke and they say they have no problems smoking walking down the street or in pub gardens.  This is in Southern Hampshire.

[dapto1]

The street is fine. Pub gardens are grand too as long as they are designated smoking areas. It's really not a big deal mate, I remember when it was brought in in Ireland people were saying the same thing about never getting used to it. A few weeks later everyone was over it, and I can't think of anyone I know who prefers it the old way.

[Suza]

Its places like bus stops that smoking is banned, any public place that is partially covered. Shop door ways etc.

Pubs have designated outdoor areas in the UK. If you're lucky, some have little heaters :)

Seoul is also banning smoking on the streets in certain areas. I'm sure Busan will follow suit.

[DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP]

Its places like bus stops that smoking is banned, any public place that is partially covered. Shop door ways etc.

Pubs have designated outdoor areas in the UK. If you're lucky, some have little heaters :)

Seoul is also banning smoking on the streets in certain areas. I'm sure Busan will follow suit.

Ah, that's good news then.  Didn't think some of the other poster's stories rang true.

Every Korean I speak to says it will never be enforced here in SK.  Basically the concensus seems to be that no police officer is going to ask an older Korean man than him to stop smoking.