Plans to make some areas in the city centre ‘smoke-free’ are currently being considered by bosses at Manchester council, according to reports.
This could mean smokers being asked to either refrain from lighting up in certain areas or to stub out their cigs, as Manchester looks to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Vancouver, New York and Melbourne.
A new pilot project could see certain areas turned into ‘smoke-free’ zones, if it comes into force later this year.
However, as far as The Manc is aware, there are not currently any plans to enforce this with the use of laws or fixed penalty notice fines – as is the case for those currently caught dropping buts on the floor by enforcement officers, with current littering fines reaching up to £100.
Image: Pixabey
Rather, council bosses are believed to favour an educational approach – offering support to help smokers quit, rather than penalising them.
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Areas currently being considered to take part in the ‘smoke-free’ pilot include Piccadilly Gardens, St Peter’s Square and the area surrounding Manchester’s Town Hall – all current favourites for office workers nipping out for a quick ciggie on their lunch break.
Elsewhere, developers at the new city centre park next to Mayfield are also said to be considering introducing similar policies as they look to install a new ‘green lung’ in the city centre as part of a rewilding project.
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The Etihad Stadium is also being touted for inclusion in the pilot, with Greater Manchester set to receive as much as £79,000 in funds from the Partnership for Healthy Cities, which is supported by the World Health Organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Vital Strategies
At the time of writing, the Mayfield park is the only part of the city seriously being considered right now according to Andrea Crossfield, the Making Smoking History Lead for the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership.
Speaking on the potential plans, which could come into force later this year if approved, Salford mayor Paul Dennett, chair of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership Board, said: “People living in Greater Manchester have a lower life expectancy than those living in other parts of the country, and we must take action to reduce preventable illnesses and the role they play in our considerable health inequalities.
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“When we look at smoking, which is the leading cause of preventable illnesses, we have some of the highest smoking rates in the country, and it has a significant impact on our people’s health and wellbeing.
“Smoke-free spaces not only promote healthy behaviours to children and young people, but they also encourage smokers to quit and make it easier for ex-smokers to stay smoke-free.
“Through the Partnership for Healthy Cities network we will boost our efforts in making smoking history to ensure longer, healthier lives for our residents.”
Manchester councillor Thomas Robinson, who is the executive member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care, added: “We are committed to tackling the harms caused by tobacco and want to see healthier, smoke-free spaces that everyone can enjoy, which is why we are pleased to be working with partners on this project to extend smoke-free spaces in the city.
“By making smoking less visible in certain outdoor spaces not only are we preventing children from inhaling secondhand smoke, but we are promoting healthy behaviours and setting a good example to children and young people who tend to copy adults’ behaviour.
“The more spaces we can make smoke-free, the less likely children are to take up smoking – preventing them from getting hooked on a deadly addiction.
“The reality is that smoking has a devastating impact on our communities, with two in three long-term smokers dying prematurely from their addiction and we need to embrace initiatives such as this to tackle this public health challenge.”
Are you an inspiring musician or just like hearing the next best thing before they blow up? Well, one of the newest open mic nights in the area has just got underwayin Manchester.
It also happens to be taking place at what we think is one of the most underrated small-capacity music venues in the city centre. If you’re interested, keep reading…
Up on Deansgate Mews is full of what social media brands like us to love to call ‘hidden gems’, but in the case of Lions Den, we couldn’t be more sincere about it.
The first event has already been and gone – safe to say it went down a treat:
If you’ve never been to this unassuming but undeniably brilliant little bar and gig space, it’s known not only for a great drinks lineup at affordable prices and a lovely sun-soaked terrace, but regular live music nights as well.
We’ve had the pleasure of seeing local bands such as Hi Sienna and Balancing Act play there outdoors, whereas inside the venue, you’ll also find a 200-cap room for when those rare rays subside and to cater to the frequent gig-goers year-round.
Manc lads Malcolm got the proceedings underway this month, and the second open mic night is coming up on Tuesday, 8 April.
Kicking off at 7pm, the new weekly open mic night is an opportunity for talented Manchester musicians and those looking to make it some day to take to the stage and share their work with the world.
Well, with us for now, but who knows which future supergroup or solo star might be next?
Strawberry Lemonade have gone from playing here to selling out The Deaf Insitute.Balancing Act playing The Rodeo night at Lions Den before booking all those massive festival slots.(Credit: The Manc Group)
More importantly, there’s absolutely no need to book: anyone looking to take part can just turn up and play, so whether you’re hoping to be spotted or just practice playing live, this is a great chance to do so.
Even better still, each act will receive a drink on the house AND professional performance photos to help populate that press shot portfolio and share on your socials.
There’s no entry fee either, whether you’re performing or just a punt, and with great student deals like £3.50 pints and two for £6 spirits, we can see this series taking off.
Catch you in the Den sometime soon.
We’ve had plenty of good times here. (Credit: The Manc)
Bundobust has hit the free beer klaxon again, giving away hundreds of pints next week after a ‘real mess-up’.
The beloved Indian street food brand, which has two sites in Manchester as well as its OG restaurant over in Leeds, shared a statement that says ‘Well this is embarrassing’.
Bundobust has revealed it had planned a huge free pint giveaway for National Beer Day on Monday…
Except National Beer Day isn’t actually until June. They were looking at the American calendar, the silly sausages.
But not one to throw a good marketing stunt away, Bundobust has decided to crack on with its free beer giveaway as planned, on one condition – you must order in an American accent.
The restaurant will be handing out hundreds of free pints of its own Bundobust Brewery beer on Monday 7 April.
Just pop in with a friend, and any time one of you orders a beer and wishes them a ‘Happy National Beer Day’ (don’t forget the accent) you get a free beer for you and your mate.
Bundobust said: “Well this is embarrassing. We’ve really messed up this time.
“For weeks now, we’ve been planning to give away hundreds of FREE PINTS of Bundobust Brewery beer this National Beer Day, Monday 7th April.
Bundobust is giving away free beers after ’embarrassing mess-up’. Credit: The Manc Group
“All you’d have to do is bring a friend in, any time one of you got a Bundobust Brewery beer and wishes us “Happy National Beer Day” you’d get your beer PLUS a free one to give to your mate.
“So simple. So elegant! Only one problem though. Monday 7th April is National Beer Day in America. Ours is 15th June.
“We don’t want to wait that long though!! Also we’ve already programmed the “free beer for a mate” button into the till, which takes a good 5 minutes, so we’re going to go ahead with it this Monday 7th April!
“There’s one catch though: you have to do an American accent when you say “Happy National Beer Day”. Deal? See y’all on Monday, pardner.”
Their cock-up is our win – free beer deal is available at all Bundobust sites from 12pm on Monday.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd July 2022 
