England nose-picking ban to start 1 July

Nose-picking in enclosed public places will be banned in England from 1 July next year, the government has announced. The ban covers virtually all enclosed public places including offices, factories, pubs and bars, but not outdoors or in private homes. It follows similar bans in the Irish Republic and Scotland - a ban in Wales starts on 2 April. Ministers say it will protect everyone from passive nose-picking, but opponents say the total ban is "draconian". From 1 July pubs and restaurants will have to display prominent "no nose-picking " signs around their premises. Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said the ban was a "huge step forward" which would save thousands of people's lives. The cost of implementing the ban has been estimated at about £50m.

Medical evidence

Ms Hewitt said the ban would protect everyone from second-hand nose-picking, while making it easier for nose-picker to quit. "The scientific and medical evidence is clear - second-hand nose-picking kills, causing a range of serious medical conditions including hay fever, itchy nose, and sudden sneezing," she said. "This legislation will help to prevent the unnecessary deaths caused every year from second-hand nose-pickers, and recognises that there is absolutely no safe level of exposure." The government predicts about 600,000 people will give up nose-picking as a result of the law change. The news was welcomed by health campaigners. Dame Helen Shovelton, chief executive of the British Nasal Foundation, said: "This is a victory for all those of us who have campaigned so vigorously to improve public health." She said it would reduce the death toll linked to nose-picking and that tens of thousands of people with hay fever would once again be able to visit pubs and restaurants. Nasal Research UK chief, Prof Alex Markham, said 1 July would be an "historic day". "Making workplaces and enclosed public places nose-picking free will bring about some of the most significant health improvements the country has seen in decades," he said. British Beer and Pub Association boss, Rob Hayward, welcomed the announcement, saying it gave businesses "greater clarity" and would allow them to prepare their customers for the changes. The Cabinet originally proposed prohibiting nose-picking only in pubs serving food, in line with Labour's election manifesto - but MPs eventually backed a total ban in enclosed public spaces in a free vote. Simon Clark, director of the nose-picking’ lobby group Bogey, said that decision had been "draconian". "From July next year it will not only be illegal to nose-pick in every pub, club and bar in the country, it will also be impossible to set up a private club run by nose-picker for nose-pickers," he said. "That's an amazing state of affairs but typical of a government that seems determined to interfere in every aspect of our daily lives." The health secretary is also launching a Nose-Pickfree England campaign, to advise England's 3.7m businesses to prepare for the ban.

The British think of everything.  I'm impressed.  I suggest a ban here in the U.S. for individual 10 years of age and up. :)

Is this serious? 

They're talking about a ban over here too!

It's the pick-and-flick guys that ruin it for responsible pickers!
:D

Is this serious? 


Have you ever know Philip not to be serious? ;D

I'm happy to say that I've not picked mine in public for years... :)

Mind you, I'm not averse to the odd 'crafty one' within the confines of my garden shed!

They're talking about a ban over here too!

It's the pick-and-flick guys that ruin it for responsible pickers!
:D


Are they doing the local, state, then federal ban?  I think Congress and the Senate could find themselves voting on something like this.

They're talking about a ban over here too!

It's the pick-and-flick guys that ruin it for responsible pickers!
:D


What would one do when the Green Line is slow and you can't have a couple of "knee buddies" to talk to?

What if you're blowing your nose and the tissue slips?  Where are the lines draw on this issue?

What would one do when the Green Line is slow and you can't have a couple of "knee buddies" to talk to?

I got yer "Green Line" right here!  Heh heh!
:P


Are they doing the local, state, then federal ban?  I think Congress and the Senate could find themselves voting on something like this.

States' rights!  It's just fine for the bicoastal elites of San Fran and Boston, but a bunch of stuffy-nosed yuppies shouldn't get to dictate to the Heartland.  They don't call it Louie-ville for nothing!


What if you're blowing your nose and the tissue slips?  Where are the lines draw on this issue?

I can see the headlines right now: PICKING LEGISLATION: THE TISSUE ISSUE!

Has the ACLU weighed  in on this yet? 

Wait . . . aren't most well know politicians nose pickers.

Has the ACLU weighed  in on this yet? 

Wait . . . aren't most well know politicians nose pickers.

Another Chewy Looey Ultimatim.

No more nose picking allowed in England?  Mr. Bean won't be as funny then  :\'(

And I guess John Lydon will have to take up heroin again.  A man needs a hobby!
:P

Governmental decisions like this really gets up my nose!

Governmental decisions like this really gets up my nose!


It's just snot funny...

You just know that someone's gonna try and counter this with some "Nose Pickers' Rights" group or something.

They could have this guy as their spokesman:

http://www.luminomagazine.com/2004.10/spotlight/nerds/images/booger/booger4.jpg

You just know that someone's gonna try and counter this with some "Nose Pickers' Rights" group or something.

They could have this guy as their spokesman:

http://www.luminomagazine.com/2004.10/spotlight/nerds/images/booger/booger4.jpg


Booger!!!  Hero of the nose pickers!!!  (Marvelous belcher too.)

Is this serious? 


I'm guessing by the second-hand picking thing that it is not.

The British think of everything.  I'm impressed.  I suggest a ban here in the U.S. for individual 10 years of age and up. :)


Agreed!!!  ;D :D ;D

You just know that someone's gonna try and counter this with some "Nose Pickers' Rights" group or something.

They could have this guy as their spokesman:

http://www.luminomagazine.com/2004.10/spotlight/nerds/images/booger/booger4.jpg


;D

This is an April Fool's joke, right?  After all, it WAS April 1st where he lives when he posted this.....

This is an April Fool's joke, right?  After all, it WAS April 1st where he lives when he posted this.....


Philip never jokes. Google it.  The Chinese are cracking down on it too!!