Smokers at Paddington Station

[whole diary]

[CJB666]

This problem has grown to epidemic proportions. The main entrance / exit from Praed Street is now so blocked by smokers that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) / NR^» (Network Rail - home page) have instigated special areas by the hoardings (opp. from the side of the Hilton Hotel) just for smokers.

There are huge 'No Smoking' signs on the other side. These signs are on the pavement, and clearly displayed on the walls. Yet smokers claim that side too and block the free passage of bona-fide passengers to / from the Station. Its like having to cut your way through a pall of carcinogenic fumes just to pass by these selfish oiks.

The BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) and Network Rail staff are tasked with keeping smokers to their side of the road. Yet they fail time and time gain. Indeed uniformed staff have been seen smoking themselves on the 'wrong' side of road. Crossrail staff are the worst.   

The BTP wander past and do nothing. Network rail staff enter and leave Network Rail House and do nothing, the doors are even being blocked by smokers.

At the entrance to the Station is a long red demarcation line with 'No Smoking Beyond This Line' on it. Smokers stand well within the Station boundary almost on the concourse.

For non-smokers it is appalling to have this disgusting habit foisted onto them just to get into or out of the Station.

It is even more unacceptable that Staff do nothing to move these selfish oiks over to the smoking side of the road.

Network Rail need to start heavily fining or prosecuting smokers on their properties - that'd soon put an end to smokers' selfish and inconsiderate behaviour.
 

[ChrisB]

I think you'll find that the roadway is public access....the rules are uninforcable as it's not part of the 'station'

[stuving]

I think you'll find that the roadway is public access....the rules are uninforcable as it's not part of the 'station'

In that case, obstructing it will be an offence.
Doing so while smoking may constitute a public nuisance.
I also wonder if the legal concept of "common purpose" could be applied. IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) it is used in some public order cases for groups who come togther to do something without prior arrangement.
I'm sure BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) powers are not restricted in any narrow cadastral sense to "transport" property.

[ChrisB]

Errr....they have no powers off BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) property & have to pass cases to the 'ordinary' police. As nothing criminal is occurring, the police won't be interested.

NR^» (Network Rail - home page) & FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have said to me that it'll need the public to playball to achieve a workable solution.

Far worse, IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion), are the cyclists who insist on cycling onto the concourse before dismounting. They should be dismounting before the station curtilage, not where the bollards on the concourse are!

[BerkshireBugsy]

I have noticed a lot more smoking on station platforms recently. For example last night someone was smoking on platform 7B at reading. This morning someone literally had their cigarette in their mouth until they boarded the train at Burnham at which point they through the roll up under the train. At Thatcham in the morning it is quite common to see this

So you may ask "why don't I ask them to stop?". Well I used to,but then got tired of the abuse I would get in response

[eightf48544]

Last time I was at Padd I walk out up to Pread Street it was like going through a fog bank!

Just for information we have 21 No smoking signs on Taplow station. Most people smoke by the gate to platform 4.

[Jason]

I have noticed a lot more smoking on station platforms recently

I witnessed someone at a local station 'not exactly' smoking on the platform. In that they were stood on the platform but their hand holding the cigarette was held over the railings onto the car park side. In order to have a puff he craned his neck over the railings. An interesting interpretation.

This of course in no way impeded the stench of cigarette smoke onto the platform...

[BerkshireBugsy]

I have noticed a lot more smoking on station platforms recently

I witnessed someone at a local station 'not exactly' smoking on the platform. In that they were stood on the platform but their hand holding the cigarette was held over the railings onto the car park side. In order to have a puff he craned his neck over the railings. An interesting interpretation.

This of course in no way impeded the stench of cigarette smoke onto the platform...

Yes I have seen this on quite a few occasions as well. To remove any doubt though I was talking about people smoking in the waiting huts on the platform (normally just below the "no smoking" sign and to the right of a half evaporated pool of something not very nice)

[trainer]

I am a non-smoker and have never touched the stuff so I have much sympathy with most of the comments above.  However, I also understand that as an addiction, smoking, like other chemical addictions, is unlikely ever to be controlled by punitive measures alone.  I never cease to be amazed at the ingenious ways in which addicts get their 'fix' when their bodies demand satisfaction.  The fact that tobacco is legal, simply means that, like alcohol, the rest of us have to put up with the fall-out of the addiction.  Nevertheless, I will make life difficult for addicts who are breaking the law where I can, because the alternative is to 'roll over' and let their addiction affect my life. 

Like Berkshire Bugsy though, I choose my moments carefully so as not to incur even worse consequences.  My proudest moment was to challenge four young men smoking in a non-smoking carriage on a French train.  With my poor and limited French I copied the locals by raising my voice and waving my arms a lot.  They left the carriage AND apologised!  Obviously that was a few years ago, but when my ire is up caution sometimes goes down.  I also remember that people in addiction are still people and it's their habit that makes me distressed.

[Kernow Otter]

As an occasional smoker, I object to the term 'selfish oik', however on the lighter side, at Lostwithiel, (very open air throughout), it is usual for any smokers to congregate at the roadside end of 1 and 2 for a smoke.  Never seen anyone smoking ON the platform....

[ellendune]

As an occasional smoker, I object to the term 'selfish oik', however on the lighter side, at Lostwithiel, (very open air throughout), it is usual for any smokers to congregate at the roadside end of 1 and 2 for a smoke.  Never seen anyone smoking ON the platform....

Surely smoking in a place where it is illegal or obstructing the passage of others is selfish?

[BerkshireBugsy]

As an occasional smoker, I object to the term 'selfish oik', however on the lighter side, at Lostwithiel, (very open air throughout), it is usual for any smokers to congregate at the roadside end of 1 and 2 for a smoke.  Never seen anyone smoking ON the platform....

Surely smoking in a place where it is illegal or obstructing the passage of others is selfish?

I'm not sure my opinion is the same. Whilst in my opinion whilst smoking somewhere where it is illegal is wrong, that doesn't (in my opinion) automatically make it selfish. However I accept there are plenty of situations where it would be easy to agree with that logic.

[Red Squirrel]

I think I find myself more offended by the fact that people are breaking the rules than I am that they are smoking. Leaving aside the rather odd grammar of the signs that say 'This station is a no smoking station' (as opposed to 'This station is a no smoking bowl of petunias'?), I don't see a good reason to ban smoking in open air areas of stations.

I really don't like cigarette smoke, or smoking-related litter, but I'm not sure what legal or operational reason there can be for totally banning smoking in these places.

[lordgoata]

People regularly smoke on Maidenhead platforms in the evenings, plus I've seen it a number of times at Reading, Tilehurst and Goring.

I've seen people asking them to stop, but its just the usual abuse so not worth the agro.

[bobm]

Interestingly last weekend I saw someone smoking on the platform at St James Park Exeter while I was on the opposite platform. It was only when he started to ride his bicycle towards the exit slope that he was challenged by someone - and that was for pedalling his machine on the station.