As a former patron of GASP I have worked to prevent the uptake of smoking by children. However, I opposed an amendment laid by Deputy Bebb seeking to ban smoking near public buildings as it was not well drafted. My speech is below.
Sir, I have to say when I first saw it I had some sympathy with this amendment. Reducing the opportunity to be able to smoke helps those who are addicted to it and those who would otherwise suffer passive smoking. However, I don’t think it has been properly thought through.
Reference is made to public buildings – what does that mean? Buildings owned by the States, or buildings to which the public has access? Does this mean that you wont be able to smoke outside Smith St post office but could in front of the press shop next door? How far is the curtilage? Will you not be able to smoke on the pavement on the High Street, but could down the middle of the road?
How will it be enforced? Are we have to a policeman walking up and down the Pollet? And how do we deal with tourists, yachtsmen and curise line passengers that visit us? Welcome to Guernsey – here’s a fine for smoking in the street? I would like to see Guernsey being smoke free, but we need to take a considered evidence based approach. I believe this amendment is neither.