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Smoking Shaun leaves officials fuming
SINGER Shaun Ryder has landed a venue in hot bother after smoking during a gig.
The Happy Mondays frontman lit up near the end of his band's concert at the Carling Academy in Newcastle on Tuesday night.
And yesterday representatives from Newcastle Council said they would be visiting the venue to investigate whether staff are implementing the
smoke-free laws which came into force on July 1st.
While some theatre productions are allowed to feature smoking to protect 'artistic integrity' Shaun Ryder is not covered by the same loophole.
Earlier this year, Ryder, 45, lit up at the Ritz in Manchester which was later visited by environmental health bosses to make sure it was adhering to new laws.
Carling Academy management yesterday said they immediately approached Ryder and asked him to put out his cigarette, but Newcastle Council said its officials would be seeking talks with them.
A spokesman said: "Newcastle City Council has a legal duty to enforce smoke-free legislation to improve the health of everyone in the city.
| "We will soon be seeking informal talks with the venue owners and asking them if they have adequate procedures in place to stop both artists and audience members breaking the law by smoking." | | Newcastle City Council spokesman |
|
"We will soon be seeking informal talks with the venue owners and asking them if they have adequate procedures in place to stop both artists and audience members breaking the law by smoking.
"We want to make sure the management are aware of their responsibilities to provide a smoke-free environment and we believe a firm yet unconfrontational approach is the best way."
Recent figures showed that there is a 98 per cent compliance in the North-East with the no-smoking laws, the highest rate in the country.
Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh - Smoke Free North-East, said: "This law is about protecting the vast majority of the public, who are non-smokers, from the lethal effects of second-hand smoke.
"It applies to everybody, whether they are a performer or not. The fact is the Carling Academy is a workplace, just like anywhere else.
"The management at the Academy should make sure all steps are in place to ensure everyone complies with the law, which applies to everyone, including the Happy Mondays."
Lousie Kovacs of the Carling Academy said: "We proactively enforce the smoking ban at the Academy. The police is clearly displayed throughout the venue and communicated to all customers, staff and artists.
"We are aware of our obligation to enforce the ban and neither during or post performance by the Happy Mondays on Tuesday, October 2, did we receive any complaints or comments from anyone who attended the show.
"We are grateful for the co-operation of Shaun Ryder and the Happy Mondays, following his oversight and our immediate approach to stage meant the cigarette was extinguished immediately."
The band's management declined to comment on the matter yesterday.
10:05am Thursday 4th October 2007
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CommentPosted by: JC on 11:34pm Thu 4 Oct 07
Ailsa Rutter,
A completely nonsensical statement. Passive smoking has never harmed anyone. Please read the evidence.
Your puritanical stance is a waste of words.
Ailsa Rutter,
A completely nonsensical statement. Passive smoking has never harmed anyone. Please read the evidence.
Your puritanical stance is a waste of words.
Posted by: Nigel Hall, Cardiff on 11:52am Fri 5 Oct 07
What is it that makes people like Ailsa Rutter?
What would they do if they couldn't get their kicks from ordering people about?
When does a simple majority become a "vast" one? Do we 25% or so of the adult population forfeit all rights by being a tiny (I suppose) minority?
What is it that makes people like Ailsa Rutter?
What would they do if they couldn't get their kicks from ordering people about?
When does a simple majority become a "vast" one? Do we 25% or so of the adult population forfeit all rights by being a tiny (I suppose) minority?
Posted by: chas, suffolk on 3:20pm Fri 5 Oct 07
The most unfair part of the ban is that the punishment doesn't fit the crime. We could all name many serious offences that carry a smaller punishment. Today, in my local paper, a person growing cannibis plants was given a conditional discharge, no fine, but £60 costs.
The most unfair part of the ban is that the punishment doesn't fit the crime. We could all name many serious offences that carry a smaller punishment. Today, in my local paper, a person growing cannibis plants was given a conditional discharge, no fine, but £60 costs.
Posted by: Eddie D, Scotland on 6:57pm Sat 6 Oct 07
Is it a coincidence that the leader of the Anti-Smokers is called Ailsa Rutter as an anagram of her name comes out as " IRATE ULTRAS". Just about says it all.
Is it a coincidence that the leader of the Anti-Smokers is called Ailsa Rutter as an anagram of her name comes out as " IRATE ULTRAS". Just about says it all.
Posted by: Bill, Wiltshire on 7:22pm Sat 6 Oct 07
Aisla Rutter (is that really her true name?) says "SHS is lethal". This seems to imply that anyone within sniffing distance of cigarette smoke will keel over and die. From past history, this assertion is absolute nonsense - SHS is virtually harmless.
The likes of Ailsa Rutter are the unelected and unaccountable 21st century bullies - they should be ignored at every opportunity.
Aisla Rutter (is that really her true name?) says "SHS is lethal". This seems to imply that anyone within sniffing distance of cigarette smoke will keel over and die. From past history, this assertion is absolute nonsense - SHS is virtually harmless.
The likes of Ailsa Rutter are the unelected and unaccountable 21st century bullies - they should be ignored at every opportunity.
Posted by: not-in-my-name, UK on 8:05pm Sat 6 Oct 07
Rutter the nutter, another one making thousands out of others misery, what do these people get off on by telling blatant lies and myths.
Rutter the nutter, another one making thousands out of others misery, what do these people get off on by telling blatant lies and myths.
Posted by: ncs10, bath on 12:44am Sun 7 Oct 07
'Lethal effects of second-hand smoke' I dont believe there is any evidence, proving any lethal effects, as a direct result of exposure to SHS. The vast majority of the public, yes well! What about the 12 million smokers in England that make up one quarter of the population! The new laws are not fair on them!!!!!!
'Lethal effects of second-hand smoke' I dont believe there is any evidence, proving any lethal effects, as a direct result of exposure to SHS. The vast majority of the public, yes well! What about the 12 million smokers in England that make up one quarter of the population! The new laws are not fair on them!!!!!!
Posted by: chas, suffolk on 10:35am Sun 7 Oct 07
There is talk of a possible General Election. Labour won last time with a majority of 67 seats. They won with only 22% of electorate voting for them. If smokers make up 25% of the electorate and a party promised to abolish the stupid ban, they would win by a landslide if all smokers voted.
There is talk of a possible General Election. Labour won last time with a majority of 67 seats. They won with only 22% of electorate voting for them. If smokers make up 25% of the electorate and a party promised to abolish the stupid ban, they would win by a landslide if all smokers voted.
Posted by: ailsa_rutter, Fresh - Smoke Free North East on 3:54pm today
It is vital that people understand the harm that secondhand smoke can do, as the smoke maybe invisible but the damage to health can be fatal. We must not forget that smoking-related illnesses are our biggest killer.
Over 10,000 people in the UK and 200 people in the North East under 65, die every year from exposure to the same harmful chemicals as smokers inhale. 35 of the deaths in the North East are due to secondhand smoke in the workplace.
The risks associated with secondhand smoke highlight why the smokefree law was vital in ensuring that almost all workers, regardless of their place of work, will be protected from exposure to secondhand smoke and guaranteed the right to smoke-free air that won’t give them lung cancer or heart disease.
Research also shows that support for smokefree has never been higher with eight out of 10 people in the North East (81 per cent) in support of being smokefree, proving that the law was welcomed by the majority of the region.
[bold]bold[/bold]
It is vital that people understand the harm that secondhand smoke can do, as the smoke maybe invisible but the damage to health can be fatal. We must not forget that smoking-related illnesses are our biggest killer.
Over 10,000 people in the UK and 200 people in the North East under 65, die every year from exposure to the same harmful chemicals as smokers inhale. 35 of the deaths in the North East are due to secondhand smoke in the workplace.
The risks associated with secondhand smoke highlight why the smokefree law was vital in ensuring that almost all workers, regardless of their place of work, will be protected from exposure to secondhand smoke and guaranteed the right to smoke-free air that won’t give them lung cancer or heart disease.
Research also shows that support for smokefree has never been higher with eight out of 10 people in the North East (81 per cent) in support of being smokefree, proving that the law was welcomed by the majority of the region.
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