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Calls for smoking to be banned in pub beer gardens and outdoor seating areas

However, an outdoor smoking ban in is not universally supported

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A recent study found that 1 in 5 ex-smokers think a ban on smoking in pub beer gardens and outdoor areas would help them quit the habit for good.

The Quitting Smoking for Mental Health study spoke to 1,000 current and ex-smokers from all around the country to find out what measures would be best for smoking cessation.

This was the response they got:

  • 26% wanted a ‘smoking ban in all public places, including hospitals, parks and bus stops’
  • 20% wanted a ‘ban on smoking on pub premises, including pub gardens and outdoor seating’
  •  19% wanted a ‘workplace ban on smoking on the premises and cigarette breaks’

According to smoking cessation charity ASH, the study – which was conducted by Vape Club – discovered that 43.9% of ex-smokers found their mental health had improved since they quit smoking.

It also found that the pandemic has been the driving force behind an ‘astonishing’ quit rate among young smokers, although some stressed concerns that pubs reopening may mean they relapse.



Stephanie Barnes, an ex-smoker, said: “It’s quite a tricky one I’d imagine as some outside pub spaces aren’t big enough to separate the garden but I think separate areas would be a good idea.

“Try and remember how far you’ve come – ie if you quit smoking for three months then what is making you want to start when in a pub? Remember how smoking made you feel, for me it was stomach pains and chesty and remember why you’re so much better without it”.

ASH are calling for the current ‘pop up’ pavement licences to be made 100% smokefree, as a way of helping smokers to ‘quit and stay quit’.

They also want to provide family-friendly spaces, as well as preventing any harm caused by second-hand smoke.


Jonathan James, owner of The Boathouse pub, said: “We see an increase in smoking when people drink alcohol. We are fortunate to have an extensive external space, with tables that are very well spaced and table service for safety with the pandemic.

“While we see no need to implement a no smoking policy as it would reduce trade, I can understand urban venues with limited outside access would have an issue.

“I can imagine that a blanket ban would make it easier for an ex-smoker, simply because they no longer have to tell themselves not to smoke. ‘You can’t smoke’ is much easier than ‘you can but best you don’t smoke’, especially after a few Mojitos!”

However, an outdoor smoking ban in pub beer gardens is not universally supported.

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Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ group Forest, said: “There is absolutely no justification for banning smoking outside pubs and thankfully there is very little support for it.

“If ex-smokers are so easily tempted to relapse that’s their problem not the publican’s.”

He added: “Demands to ban smoking outside are the last thing publicans need as they try to recover from lockdown.

“Ultimately it’s a matter for them, not government or anti-smoking campaigners, to choose a policy that best suits their business and attracts the largest number of customers.”

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Drivers are now realising they’ve been using roundabouts wrong

Are you using roundabouts correctly?

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Rumeysa / Pexels & Gerald England / Geograph

They may have passed their tests a while ago, but some drivers are only just realising they have been using roundabouts wrong.

When it comes to roundabouts, most drivers will probably feel very confident they know what they are doing and think they how to use them correctly.

So, you know to give way to the right, but which way should you be indicating and which lane should you select for the turn-off you want?

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We all remember being a nervous learner driver and the sheer panic that would overcome you when approaching a roundabout.

But after plenty of practice they soon become a doddle – until you’ve been driving while and have picked up some bad habits.

Roundabouts are some of the most common places where you hear angry drivers beeping their horns because someone has pulled out or driven into the wrong lane, and all sorts of silly reasons.

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Many motorists will already know that if you’re taking the first exit off the roundabout, you select the left-hand lane and use your indicator to signal left – unless some signs or markings indicate otherwise – as per the Highway Code.

And when you’re turning right, you should select the right-hand lane with your indicator signalling right – and keep to the right before you need to change lanes.

However, if you’re driving straight over the roundabout, this is where many drivers get a little confused and make common mistakes.

Gerald England / Geograph

According to the Highway Code, if your ‘intermediate exit’ is positioned at 12 ’o’ clock, you need to be in the left-hand lane – not the right-hand lane as many drivers seem to think.

It sates that you should ‘select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout, you should not normally need to signal on approach, you should stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout, and you should signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want’.

It says that when there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, you should use the most appropriate lane on approach and while you’re driving through it – which basically means you should use your common sense based on the rules of the roundabout.

JanPetterWigum1962 / PxHere

The Highway Code also says: “When reaching the roundabout you should give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights, check whether road markings allow you to enter the roundabout without giving way. 

“If so, proceed, but still look to the right before joining, watch out for all other road users already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or at all and look forward before moving off to make sure traffic in front has moved off.”

And when it comes to looking out for cyclists, it adds: “You should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout. They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic. Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane. Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout.”

 

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Millions of Americans think chocolate milk comes from brown cows

‘Knowledge is power. Without it, we can’t make informed decisions’

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A surprising number of Americans believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows, a survey has revealed.

Around 7% of US adults think the sweet flavoured milk is brown due to the colour of cow it comes from, a survey commissioned by the Innovation Centre of US Dairyside has revealed.

The research was conducted on 1,000 people over the age of 18.

Muhamed Lutfi / Pexels

That 7% equates to around 16.4 million Americans – which doesn’t seem such a small number when you put it like that.

That’s the equivalent of the population of Pennsylvania who are misinformed chocolate milk drinkers, and do not know that the basic ingredients of chocolate milk consist of milk, cocoa and sugar.

While 7% thought chocolate milk came from brown cows, around 48% of Americans said they didn’t know where chocolate milk came from – we’re not sure which is worse.

PxHere / stock photo

Speaking to The Washington Post, Cecily Upton, co-founder of the nonprofit FoodCorps, which brings agricultural and nutrition education into elementary schools, said: “At the end of the day, it’s an exposure issue.

“Right now, we’re conditioned to think that if you need food, you go to the store. 

“Nothing in our educational framework teaches kids where food comes from before that point.”

Hubert Berberich (HubiB) / Wikimedia

Thankfully, the survey isn’t verified and hasn’t been released either, so perhaps the state of the agricultural knowledge of Americans isn’t as bad as it seems.

A previous study – conducted in the 1990s – also showed that one in five adults did not know that hamburgers are made of beef, and many lacked knowledge of basic farming facts.

But it seems many children and adults don’t seem too interested in trying to find things out for themselves either.

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Upton added: “We still get kids who are surprised that a French fry comes from a potato, or that a pickle is a cucumber.

“Knowledge is power. Without it, we can’t make informed decisions.”

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Viral trainspotting enthusiast Francis Bourgeois spotted driving tram

Here’s what he got up to…

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@francis_bourgeois43 / Instagram

Viral trainspotting enthusiast Francis Bourgeois was spotted driving a tram, before attending the Niall Horan gig at the AO Arena last week.

The social media sensation was seen on the Metrolink stand of Victoria station, in Manchester, on Thursday (March 7th) as fans captured sneaky shots of him.

After a day out exploring Manchester and driving trams at the depot with Transport for Greater Manchester, Bourgeois was later seen pulling into Victoria Station on a Bee Network tram for the sold out concert at the AO Arena. 

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The geeky, fun-loving trainspotter has taken to his instagram to tell fellow enthusiasts what he got up to across the Bee Network.

Alongside a video of the fun day out he had in the city, he posted: “My first time ever driving a tram and having a cab ride to Victoria Station, home of the AO Arena! 

“Thank you so much @aoarena and Manchester Metrolink for making this possible!”

In the video, Bourgeois is seen donning a tram driver’s uniform and high-vis vest before he pulls a point using all his strength.

@francis_bourgeois43 / Instagram

With the points in place, and wearing a small video camera on his head, he then took to the driving seat in the tram and made his way along the tracks, pulling into Victoria station.

The social media star can then be seen laughing excitedly as he says he ‘really could not believe what I was doing’, and adds: “Oh, wow!” as another tram beeps and waves at him.

After he ‘wiggled’ his way into the station, the Bourgeois made his way to the AO Arena where he got to enjoy the much anticipated show.

TFGM and the AO Arena have partnered to highlight their commitment to bringing accessible entertainment to the people of Manchester.

Their location within Victoria Station means visitors from Manchester and further afield can easily get to the city to see their favourite performers without having to worry about how they are going to get home, or finding affordable and nearby parking.

 The AO Arena is passionate about its home in the city of Manchester and is constantly finding ways to improve, most recently with the opening of new spaces including their brand new luxury restaurant The Mezz. They have also undertaken a back of house refurbishment ensuring guests feel comfortable in Manchester as a home away from home. 

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