Is it illegal to smoke in tunnels?

JayMax · 8 Nov 2007 at 20:41

My daily commute involves the joys of going through the Tyne Tunnel.
Since yesterday on the big flashing programmable sign, they have it displaying 'IT IS ILLEGAL TO SMOKE IN THE TUNNEL' as you enter it.
Can anyone shed any light on this, and why they have only declared it now - I've been going through twice daily for nearly 3 years now and it's never been displayed before.
(I lit up anyway)

Zefan · 8 Nov 2007 at 20:42

I suppose it counts as an enclosed space so it's illegal under the recent (ish) smoking ban.

Sirrel Squirrel · 8 Nov 2007 at 20:43

fire risk maybe?

Crossy · 8 Nov 2007 at 20:47

Be a bit pointless tbh. Since you;d really need to keep ya window open while smoking, BUT, they ask you to close them or you;d be suffocated by the trapped exhaust fumes lol.

DannyDan · 8 Nov 2007 at 20:56

They probably have byelaws saying what you can and cant do in the tunnel.

PinkFloyd · 8 Nov 2007 at 21:05

I LOL'd when I saw the thread title

Scania · 9 Nov 2007 at 04:53

Zefan said:
I suppose it counts as an enclosed space so it's illegal under the recent (ish) smoking ban.

Iirc that is the reason.

I ignore it whilst equally ignoring the smoking ban in my HGV......

Skiddley · 9 Nov 2007 at 08:22

Perhaps it's someones place of work...

soleside · 9 Nov 2007 at 13:52

My girlfriend and I noticed the very same sign on our way to Wallsend last night, and we both had a chuckle at it. I guess it is an enclosed space but what difference do the cig's make when you consider the amount of vehicles which pass through?

moss · 9 Nov 2007 at 14:02

Crossy said:
... BUT, they ask you to close them or you;d be suffocated by the trapped exhaust fumes lol.

Ive drove through the Tyne Tunnel with my windows open many times, and on my motorbike, managed to make it out the other side without suffocating everytime

Crossy · 9 Nov 2007 at 14:04

moss said:
Ive drove through the Tyne Tunnel with my windows open many times, and on my motorbike, managed to make it out the other side without suffocating everytime

I think i worded it wrong lol. What i meant was harmful gases will enter the cab. So its probs worth it not smoking and keeping your windows shut while in the tunnel

. It did always stump me how bikers went through like.

Skii · 9 Nov 2007 at 14:06

lol, smoking BAAAD Carbon monoxide from exhausts FINE

MrViper · 9 Nov 2007 at 14:41

rofl i like this thread

Bobster · 9 Nov 2007 at 17:10

Yeah, me and the wife had a laugh at this the other night. It's a bit daft like considering the amount of vehicle fumes in the place. Like a little cigerette will make a difference.

Scania · 13 Nov 2007 at 13:42

Bobster said:
Yeah, me and the wife had a laugh at this the other night. It's a bit daft like considering the amount of vehicle fumes in the place. Like a little cigerette will make a difference.

Quite.

Jonnycoupe · 13 Nov 2007 at 13:48

Its probably more to do with a fire risk, you only have to look at what can happen in longer tunnels if a fire takes hold in a canvas covered HGV.

PardonTheWait · 13 Nov 2007 at 14:09

Crossy said:
I think i worded it wrong lol. What i meant was harmful gases will enter the cab. So its probs worth it not smoking and keeping your windows shut while in the tunnel . It did always stump me how bikers went through like.

We just ride through. It smells a bit funky in tunnels but there's so many extractor fans working away it's harmless. In Southend until recently we had an underpass about 200ft long with a bus stop in it where people would wait for buses, it's not going to do you any damage unless you actually sat down there for about four months.

something daft already!! · 13 Nov 2007 at 14:15

I understand the smoking bans says, if the public area is enclosed by three walls and a roof, then smoking is not allowed. A tunnel has simply a curving roof, at best two walls and a roof, so I would say technically it is not against the law. I could easily be wrong of course.

Ring Peace · 13 Nov 2007 at 15:03

howiepoohs said:
I understand the smoking bans says, if the public area is enclosed by three walls and a roof, then smoking is not allowed. A tunnel has simply a curving roof, at best two walls and a roof, so I would say technically it is not against the law. I could easily be wrong of course.

50% of the walls/roof must be open air, so the tunnels don't comply hence smoking is illegal, kin crazy.

BigglesPiP · 14 Nov 2007 at 12:42

Wasn't it already illegal in tunnels?