The home fires

In case you wondered, politicians in Allen County are smarter than those in England. The county has approved changes to its public-smoking ban:

On Friday, the commissioners changing the definition of “public place” to exclude private or semi-private rooms in health-care facilities that are occupied by one or more people, who have requested in writing to be placed in a room where smoking is permitted.

Commissioner Nelson Peters said the changes came after talking to various groups, including the board of the county-owned Byron Health Center, 12101 Lima Road, which is outside the city.

Residents are currently allowed to smoke in 24-hour smoking rooms in the long-term care facility. Most residents have brain injuries, developmental disabilities or other cognitive issues

Board member Herb Hernandez said many of the more than 200 residents are addicted to cigarettes and changing their smoking habits could have adverse consequences. The change, he said, should alleviate those concerns.

So, the government's grand plans to "help people" might actually harm some of them. In England, patients in a high-security psychiatric hospital are challenging a new smoking ban going into effect in July. Since they have no choice about where they are, the hospital is, in effect, their home. And:

Around 70% of psychiatric patients smoke, as do 80% of prisoners.

The head of the prison service, Phil Wheatley, warned ministers in 2005 that banning smoking in prisons would cause disorder and an increase in assaults on staff.