Plans to stop seafarers smoking are “stupid”

A south coast Harbour Master has ridiculed the government’s plans to extend the smoking ban to ships in British waters.

Smoking in public places was banned on July 1st this year, but in a written statement to MPs Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “I now intend to introduce similar provisions to provide protection from second-hand smoke for people on vessels operating in UK waters, both at sea and on inland waterways.”

If introduced, the smoking ban would cover all ships with paid crew or carrying passengers that sail on the UK’s inland waterways or within 12 miles of the coastline.

But Rye Harbour Master Carl Bagwell says the proposals are impractical: “How are they going to make people stop?  Are they going to check every boat that comes within 12 miles?  It’s ridiculous.”

He said that any such ban would be ineffectual and a waste of resources.

Mr. Alexander said that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency would be responsible for enforcing the smoking ban, and anyone caught defying the ban would face penalties similar to those caught smoking on dry land.

The proposals are currently under consultation.