:: rawblogXport ::

:: Monday, July 28, 2008 ::

Man on tea run fined for smoking in 'workplace' van - By John Bingham, Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom
Gordon Williams, 58, was on his way to buy a packet of teabags when he was pulled over by council officials on the A487 near Aberystwyth and handed a fixed penalty notice.

The self-employed decorator from Llanafan, near Aberystwyth, Mid Wales, plans to appeal arguing that the unmarked blue van is for private use and could not be classed as a workplace.

The case highlights confusion over how laws which banned smoking in places such as pubs and offices can be interpreted in a wider context.

'I was on my way to a shop to buy some tea-bags when the council official pulled me over,' Mr Williams, who smokes 10 cigarettes a day, said.

'But I was told that because my van is my place of work I had broken the smoking laws.

'I am dumbfounded - the van is only insured for private use and to get me to and from work.

'It not my place of work - I decorate houses not vans.'

'I don't use it for work so I can't see how they can do me for smoking in the workplace.'"

posted 6:56 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

-------------------------------------------