It was widley reported in the media today that Cllr Jim McCabe, leader of North Lanarkshire Council flagrantly defied the smoking ban by lighting up in his council offices and puffing away on three fags. Bizarrely he did this in front of a journalist who was interviewing him. Not only that, but before he lit up he was reminded by the journalist that it was against the law.
Firstly, Cllr McCabe needs an award for absolute stupidity. Is he off his head?
Secondly, he needs to resign as leader and councillor immediately. I don't yet know if he has decided to step down in May and take the generous severance payment on offer; if he has he should forfeit this and leave immediately.
His party introduced the smoking ban and his officials are required to enforce the ban locally. How on earth can they now stand up to offenders when the simple reply is "well, your boss does it so why can't I?"
Individuals who flout the legislation face a fixed penalty of £50. However the council has already said he won't be fined. Outrageous. The manager or person in control of any no-smoking premises can be fined a fixed penalty of £200 for either allowing others to smoke there, or failing to display warning notices. Will the council fine itself? If so, then great, we the council tax payers will have to fork out for Mr McCabe to have a fly puff. Mr McCabe should make sure this doesn't happen and pay the £200 himself.
Businesses, especially pubs, have had to go to great lengths and expense to enforce this ban. It is utterly incomprehensible that the first high profile offender should be the leader of a council that is expected to enforce the ban.
