We hope you like jamming too - banning mobiles in public places

A small victory was recorded today for all those opposed to mobile phones going off in public. A New York politician launched a bill to ban the use of mobiles in cinemas, theatres, art galleries and a number of other venue types. Similar efforts are ongoing in other countries.

Some will argue jamming signals is the way forward - putting phones out of temptation's way - appeasing people who have been left frustrated by annoying ringtones and selfish users. People who breach the proposed bill will have to pay a fine for their transgression.

Many others will still argue education is still the way - relying on people to police themselves by acting responsibly and showing consideration for others. But haven't we waited too long already for them?

Of course there are those who will argue we need a link to the emergency services. But this is largely to justify far less essential calls. It's simply taking one side of the argument to a logical extreme to protect the status quo. If enforcing bans on mobile phones in cinemas and theatres causes an outbreak of fatal heart attacks and mini crime waves we will then have to look at the situation again.

No theatre-goer in the land would begrudge somebody a phone call if their partner was having a heart attack. Similarly theatres and cinemas coped well in the past when they would use the landline to phone for an ambulance. We used to manage - cast you mind back.

What about missed work and important calls? Sadly if you are waiting for important calls then you can't go to the cinema. Those of us who are desk bound don't get to watch films while we work. Similarly if your wife is expecting a baby you probably shouldn't be settling down with a bucket of popcorn for a back-to-back screening of the Star Wars saga.

The majority of us are responsible and considerate but like with so much in life - and you'll remember your teachers telling you this - a few silly people have ruined it for everybody else.