Senior Cleric Criticises No Smoking Signs in Churches
A senior London cleric has criticised rules requiring churches to display 'no smoking' signs when a ban comes into force in England in July.
by Anne Thomas
Posted: Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 8:04 (BST)
A senior London cleric has criticised rules requiring churches to display 'no smoking' signs when a ban comes into force in England in July.
Insisting that smoking was not a common problem in church, the Dean of Southwark, the Very Rev Colin Slee said the sign regulations were "daft" and that historic religious buildings should be exempt.
A ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces begins on 1 July.
The Department of Health previously said that providing an exemption "would have created a dangerous precedent".
Mr Slee claimed one church had been threatened with closure by the council if it failed to comply.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme he said: "All deans have received a very formal letter and been instructed that it's mandatory to put up these signs, even on wonderful Grade I listed heritage entrances."
The Archdeacon of Down in Ireland, the Ven Phillip Patters, had previously raised similar concerns describing the rules as "overkill" and "unnecessary".
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "I accept, without reservation, that there is a long tradition not to smoke in churches but, as I am sure people will appreciate, to have provided an exemption would have created a dangerous precedent."
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Added: Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 20:22 (BST)
I have never seen anyone smoking either in a church, or in the entrance to a church in England. It would not be a case of exemption from the ban, but a non-mandatory requirement to put up No-Smoking signs.
I for one would find it very interesting to see if places for worship of other faiths, such as Islam and Sikhism are targeted, and if so, what their reaction is and whether they are "exempted".
Chris, Leeds
Added: Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 16:25 (BST)
total overkill; when was the last time anyone saw smoking inside a Church? there are many other things which are prohibited, whether indoors or outdoors...where are the signs reminding us of them? what makes the smoking ban different? will each airplane operating in the UK also have to have a sticker outside each of its entrances too?
Philip, Geneva, Switzerland
Added: Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 14:19 (BST)
Some poeple just want their presence felt in church without being there-it would set a dangerous precedent!
Paul, Nambour Australia
Added: Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 10:09 (BST)
Britain is a land of Beaurocracy gone mad. Are they actually serious in imposing this measure? Absolutely ridiculous!!
Andrew, Bradford
