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Vicar blesses smoke ban sign in protest

1:17am Saturday 14th July 2007

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A vicar blessed his church's new No Smoking sign in a "protest against excessive bureaucracy".

Canon David Garlick, the vicar of St Mary's Church in Lewisham High Street, led a procession to bless the sign on the church door at the start of a 10am mass.

The sign, described by Canon Garlick as "unsightly", is now required by law at the entrance to all churches following the smoking ban introduced on July 1.

Canon Garlick says the blessing with incense and holy water was made to mock the law and because all new items in churches must be blessed.

He said: "There was an irony in doing the blessing with smoke on a No Smoking sign but we think the ban allows incense."

Around 220 people were at the mass and some joined in the procession outside.

Canon Garlick said: "I think the congregation was amused and pleased by this protest against excessive bureaucracy."

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Your Say YourThis Is Local London

Neil, says...
6:35am Sat 14 Jul 07

And bless you too vicar.
Unlike Government and anti-smokers the church has compassion for ALL the people.

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Rob, London says...
11:39am Sat 14 Jul 07

Oh come on - smokers are the most selfish people around! If they had even an ounce of compassion and consideration for anyone else, the ban wouldn't have been needed in the first place...

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Kate, Isle of Wight says...
2:01am Sun 15 Jul 07

That is not true, Rob from London, and you know it. The vast majority of smokers are considerate to a fault, and if you've found a different attitude lately, whose fault is that? People can only be victimised, hounded and bullied so much, before they rebel. If this law had been structured in a sensible way, with some spirit of compromise, I think almost all smokers would comply willingly. As it is, we obey, yes, but not with a good spirit - but with resentment and fury. I was ALWAYS considerate when I smoked; even if I was in a smoking area, I would go somewhere else if someone objected. As far as it stands now, if someone even looks at me funny, I give them a piece of my mind. You've got what you want, so leave us alone!

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RufusT, says...
10:21am Mon 16 Jul 07

I think that Canon Garlick should hang on to his incense and holy water; from the picture the sign doesn't have the legally required words on it. He (or the Church) could be liable to be fined.

This is the exact level of petty bullying that we smokers have come to expect.

Oh, and Rob, talk about sweeping generalisations or what.

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Tony Blows, Herefordshire says...
11:07am Mon 16 Jul 07

If you read the law properly, incense, jos sticks even an open fire are included in this stupid law. how dumb are these so called do gooders

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Carlos, says...
1:52pm Mon 16 Jul 07

Tony Id say they are in need of a brain implant!

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Dave, London says...
10:12am Tue 17 Jul 07

I wonder which has killed the most people, religion or smoking?

They've both killed others who wish to have nothing to do with either, are defended fanatically by those who partake in them and are outdated and do not fit in with our modern, healthier and better-informed lifestyles.

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Canon David Garlick blesses the No Smoking sign at the entrance to St Mary's Church Canon David Garlick blesses the No Smoking sign at the entrance to St Mary's Church

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