Whilst the newly introduced smoking ban may have improved the indoor environment, the knock-on effect of the new legislation beyond the walls of Britain’s boozers may be far from healthy.
According to an increasingly vocal army of objectors, the gas-fired patio heaters springing up around the country to cater for shivering smokers could pose a grave threat to the environment.
Organisations including Friends of the Earth, The Energy Saving Trust, and British Gas are all warning that the sudden boom in patio heater sales threatens to cancel out many of the positive steps people have taken to reduce their impact on the environment.
Indeed, according to recent research carried out by British Gas, patio heaters in pubs in Scotland – where the ban came into force last March – now emit up to 10,000 tonnes of CO2 each year, with the average heater emitting more CO2 in a year than a Range Rover. British Gas reckons that, based on gas heater sales figures and surveys of English pubs this figure could rise dramatically to around 160,000 tonnes of CO2 per year – almost 10% of the annual reduction the UK needs to meet its Kyoto commitments by 2012.
What makes these figures doubly galling – as anyone who’s ever stood near a patio heater will agree – is that its futile attempt to heat up the outside is not particularly effective: stand too close and you risk burning your hair; too far away and they’re no use at all.
With opposition to the devices growing by the day and some garden centres already removing them from their stores, it seems their days could be numbered. But ruling out the obvious steps of either giving up or popping down to Blacks and investing in some cosy outdoor smoking garb, what could be done to keep the shivering smoker warm?
In its report, British Gas suggests that carbon neutral wood burning chimneas would be a preferable solution – but these can probably be ruled out on health and safety grounds. Carefully placed walls to reduce the chill factor from the wind have also been suggested. But perhaps Engineer readers could come up with a more elegant solution? Here’s one idea to set the ball rolling: Electric heaters which offer more focussed heat and emit less CO2 than their gas powered equivalents. Such systems could be made more efficient through the use of sensors to ensure that they are only switched on when people approach.
Jon Excell, Features Editor
A few winters ago, in Chicago, I had occasion to wait for the urban trains that service the city and as I stood under the shelter on the platform an infra-red radiant heater lamp started up that warmed me through without trying to fry me in the least. Surely something like this, using simple PIR detectors to switch them on and off would be way cheaper and less damaging than patio heaters?
In order to increase the comfort in inclement weather, smokers should agree specific times to meet and use the heat from their combined cigarettes to heat each other – in fact, if the open air area were enclosed on all sides and a door put in then it could be called a smoking room …..
As a general observation and someone who unless scientifically convinced otherwise, is totally sceptical over the whole CO2 issue. It’s unproven and thought unlikely (according to many leading and ‘relevant’ scientists) so becomes increasingly annoying when used as a permanent topic of concern over any CO2 related device.
Global warming, which is undoubtedly occurring, remains an open ’cause and effect’ issue. My solution re the Gas burner issue, is burn the paper from the truck loads of reports on CO2 omissions and or the discarded pay-slips from the huge consultancy industry living off the ‘hyped problem’!
I do not think that human activity is significant in warming the earth, nor do I believe that a warmer earth is a bad thing. The sun is very significant, and the earth has been warmer in the past – not due to man. Nobody seems to point out that the oceans, which comprise 70% of the earth’s surface are saturated with CO2, and when water is warmed, the solubility of CO2 decreases, and CO2 dissolved in the oceans is gassed out to the atmosphere. This whole global warming thing is 99% politics and there is a paucity of informed scientific discussion – the earth has six billion people and only 196 mil sq miles of surface (ocean included) – btw – that means there are 33 people / sq mile -where are the calculations on how much CO2 human respiration puts in the atmosphere? I could go on for some time with many other observations but I’m getting bored- I expect engineers to think – what’s the matter with you guys? Reading this level of thinking in a publication called “The Engineer” is really depressing.
Why not use one of those nice Chimoneas & use carbon neutral wood as the fuel?
Nicorette Patches, thereby giving up smoking, therefore no need to shiver outside the pub. No need to use a patio heater.
An electric heater would have to be powered by renewable energy to have a positive impact, perhaps a windmill powered electric patio heater! :o)
Simple PIR halogen lamp (£15) hooked to Halogen lamp (£40).
All equipment exists at B&Q !
PS: If you build a wall, trust me, the nanny state will say it’s an enclosed public space!
What about putting a coat on or just stop smoking!!
As always, wonderful joined up thinking by central government. Like, let’s introduce congestion charging. Oops, that’s worked and now the trains are too busy. Hospitals are spending too much, let’s close wards and release bank/temp staff. Oops, moral has dropped, consultants are emigrating and waiting lists have moved in the wrong direction. Looks like basic ’cause and effect’, project management, management etc. As for the pub & smoking issue, aesthetic / practical shelter design is key – the guidelines are tough.
Some ideas:-Wall mounted electric heaters, on timers and thermostats are potential solutions as are correctly positioned walls and air gaps. The use of plants to create barriers / fill required air gaps is also a good idea, I believe these sit outside the legislation. Make use of existing exhaust flues to internal heating systems (warm air), route kitchen extraction ducts through the ‘short stay’ smoking areas (on cold days smokers will be outside for 5 min every 45 to 60 min), fit solar panels to the roof of the shelter – simple heat exchange system. Or move to a country that thinks it through a little better!
Heaters for outdoor pub smokers isn’t the answer. The answer is:
1. Give up smoking, or
2. Put a coat on, or
3. Put up with being cold.
By defining what consititutes ‘not indoors’ (open on at least two sides) the smoking law has conveniently defined what is ‘outdoors’. The government should make it illegal to heat ‘outdoors’ (or maybe go further and make it illegal to heat where less than three walls are enclosed). Either way, smoking shelters would not be able to be heated. As for the smokers – they need to harden up to the cold, huddle together or (preferably) give up.
I have long thought patio heaters a completely backwards idea. I use a few small chimeneas, rather than one big one, but we do tend to get a bit smokey.
You have suggested focused electric heat, which must be better, but what about low level focused microwave heating ? Could that not be made to work ? The warming from within would probably give similar feeling to drinking a ‘wee dram’.
Why rule out the Blacks solution, or at least something similar? Norway introduced it’s smoking ban 2 years ago and suffers a far harsher climate than the UK. In many bars you find a stack of blankets by the door for people to throw over themselves when they duck outside to smoke. The problem is that such a system might not work in Britain as you have to rely on people to return them!
Whilst I believe smokers should be discouraged from smoking by every means, this particular requirement can easily be met by a platform enclosing a small fan heater. As a person steps on the platform, a pressure switch switches on the heater which blows warm air up to the person, warming the feet and legs most, which are the most sensitive to the cold. This way, heat is only consumed for the period of occupation and is focussed to the target. Smoke is directed upwards and away from the area. Probably 500W will do.
It would be a challenge to protect from the weather, but not insurmountable.
David Cutter
Knaresborough
A more effective, energy-efficient (and safer?) type of patio heater may be the halogen heater. ….
May I suggest that all pubs have a Range Rover outside!
From observations during a visit to Canada last winter, their smokers have to tough it out, and wear a coat or two. Patio heating of any sort is total nonesense and should be banned.
If you build a wall to protect the smokers from the chill, why not put a roof on and install a bar then you’ll have them back in the pub, and we’ve only just got rid of them.
Now that I am able to visit a pub without coming home stinking of stale smoke, I will be sure to only visit those pubs that do not use patio heaters. It’s only by voting with your feet that anything gets done!
The provision of shelters for smokers will be a hot topic for some time. Low tech solar heating and thermal mass may offer an alternative solution to patio heaters? Imagine an open sided structure supported by large, insulated hollow C section columns (like a giant celary sticks). A solar thermal roof (triple wall polycarbonate) could be arranged to thermo-syphon water through the reservoir columns. The structure could provide warm cosy pods where smokers would be at liberty to indulge in their addiction. The creation of hot house environments would provide a social venue for stimulating five minute interactions. Competitions for smoke shed designs addressing this issue have appeared in architectural press. A business oportunity for smoke shelter and pergola manufacturers of the UK!
Whats the problem ? Get the smokers to give up and the patio heaters are no longer required. Mind you this means the government loses all the tobacco tax revenue !
How about electric heaters – that also have a stun gun setting. The heater / stun gun could then zap anyone stupid enough to buy them instead of buying a warm coat.
I’d suggest reusing end-of-life smokers as a fuel source, rather than wasting wood…at least it’s deriving energy from waste! Might also get the message across that smoking ain’t good for the health – a little note acknowledging the corpse providing the heat should do the job ‘Today’s heat kindly provided by John Doe, age 45, 20 a day’
On the theme of electrical heaters, how about infra red heaters? Neat, clean, efficient.
Irrespective of the debate on smoking, patio heaters are totally at odds with every policy and objective to reduce UK CO2 emmisions, and therefore a clear candidate for ‘choice editing’ off the market. While some retailers have stopped selling these on environmental grounds, those jumping on the bandwagon to make a quick buck expose themselves to charges of hypocrisy having made such a PR exercise over their supposed green-credentials
Our company (25 years in the energy controls business) recognised some 18 months ago that patio heaters were not the way forward regarding the “comforts issue” in respect of the then proposed and now legal smoking ban especially in pubs and restaurants etc.
We came up with a system to control Infra red or quartz heaters which would operate only if the designated external “sheltered” areas provided for the customers’ creature comforts is occupied and provided that the temperature is below a pre-set (adjustable) level.
Yours,
Sandy Webster
Managing Director
I recently visited a local public house where the “NO SMOKING” rule has been in place well before it had been made compulsory. They have very large parasols that are installed with overhead electrical heaters (4 Off per Parasol). They would appear to give enough light as well as suitable warmth. These do however have to be requested to be switched on/off via a key by the bar staff.
The most environmentally friendly idea is a total ban on smoking and tobacco products.
The simple solution would be to install infra-red electric heaters and control them with simple and reliable sensors.
Jon,
Surely you have missed the point entirely? The problem is not the heaters, its the fact that we have driven the toxic, fuming smoker outside (rightly so!).
Surely the engineer’s time would be better spent seeking ways to to solve the root cause of the problem, namely smoking.
No smokers – no need to bung them all outside – no need to have CO2 churning heaters to keep them warm – allowing us all to drive Range Rovers on the school run with our consciences clear!
In respect of heating smokers outdoors without adding to the carbon emissions, my two-fold solution is ideal. It is simply to flood the area the smokers stand with low-level microwaves to heat them up from the inside. This will not only keep them warm but would be like a home-grown radiation therapy. As they destroy their lungs and promote cancer in themselves, the microwaves will radiate and kill the cancer cells. This in-turn means they will live longer and can continue to buy more beer and cigarettes so helping to keep contributing to our taxes – so everyone wins.
Surely the Victorians had a much more efficent solution – an enclosed space called a ‘smoking room’ where people who wanted to smoke could congregate and those that did not could avoid!
What you all seem to forget in the debate is this: government has passed yet more legislation that removes the power of choice from the individual. Adolph Hitler had a similar idea when he proposed a smoking ban. Surely publicans should listen to their customers and make an informed decision as to whether smoking should be banned in pubs? However, most of you seem happy to be told what to do. You voted for them, you’ll have to live with the consequences.
It’s obvious isn’t it?! Heated chairs that only operate when they have a bum on them!!
Dear Mr. Excell:
Here’s an idea to cut down on CO2 emissions from outdoor patio heaters. And it’s an extemely low tech idea too. What’s more, it’s also one that the goverment could implement in minutes.
Just reverse the silly smoking ban and let the English smoke in pubs?
Clever, eh?
Sincerely:
Dave Wilson
Patio heaters have been around for a long time to keep people warm who wish to sit out on patios or drink and dine al fresco in fashionable cities. The smoking ban will increase their popularity and is another example of unintentional consequences. The heaters are a perfect use of radiant heating where people can feel warm even in a low ambient air temperature. Some redesign may be needed to spread the heat more evenly but always direct gas firing will emit less CO2 than electricity. Banning them is futile and would be politically unacceptable.
To reduce CO2 emissions the government should take control of domestic energy prices and REVERSE the way we pay; have a low cost for the first sensible kWh quantity (socially fair) and then apply escalating prices for further kWh to curb profligacy.
Keep it simple and stay green! Wear warm clothing. You dont have to be a rocket scientist.
Many of the world’s problems would be solved by a population reduction. To that end, I recommend sensors to activate some machine guns to terminate smokers – it would save the heating costs, the CO2 emissions, and avoid long drawn out cancerous deaths. It might also encourage smokers to give up, stay inside, and buy more beer instead, thus funding the machine gun nests.
The solution to keeping the smokers warm is obvious.
Connect a generator to the IR lamps. Connect a treadmill to the generator.
If the smokers wants to stay warm, then they can walk on the treadmill. The physical activity will warm them and power the IR lamps. There will be a positive effect on the smokers health (more so than if they did no exercise) which should also reduce the burden on the NHS.
While on the subject – how about treadmills in all the prisons – possibly cheaper than nuclear power and less CO2 than gas fired power stations?
Electric patio heaters for smokers? Well perhaps we need to eliminate the transmission losses too?
Give the smokers seats & pedals, the harder you pedal, the warmer the heater!
The patio heater solution.
A free double scotch from the bar.
Warms the cockles quite nicely.
Well its nice to see so many non-smokers commenting on solutions such as shooting the smokers etc. Let’s hope they can still afford the technology to write further comments when we all give up and the tax shifts elsewhere ! My conservative estimation of tax raised annually just from the counter sales is £13,140,000,000. Let’s look forward to non-smokers paying a bit more and the smokers paying a bit less !
How about the Eco-Quartz Energy Saving Heater?