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Raminder Bhalla's comments represent common sense.

Having read this story, I hope that Linda Buchanan thinks twice in the future before getting on her moral high-horse.

To reprimand someone for smoking on an open railway station platform is nothing short of ridiculous, whilst her subsequent attack is of course unfortunate, this was a direct result of her actions.

- Deirdre Littlewood, Wilmslow, England

There are two things here and they should be viewed entirely separately.

There is no scientific or medical justification for banning smoking in open spaces such as station platforms. As it's been - rightly - banned on trains you might imagine that railway authorities would consider it reasonable to allow smoking on platforms, but no they don't.

There is no moral or other justification for offering any kind of violence to someone reminding another person of the law and asking them to comply with it. Anyone who does so should be punished to the appropriate limit of the law.

That is all.

- Charles, London, UK

It's everybody's individual choice as to whether or not they take matters into their own hands regarding this type of thing. Problem is, when the thugs hear of these events in the media does it make them think "how terrible - I must stop smoking on platforms" or does it galvanise them? I believe it can work both ways as I doubt they really have the empathy, caring or intelligence in them. There are so many young "Jesse James's" out there that I'm sure see this sort of thing as some sort of badge of honour, however warped that sounds.

We read enough to know that people like those that attacked her don't think twice when it comes to harming somebody vulnerable. As such I wouldn't ever advise my mother to do the same, but that if she felt strongly enough then to report it or make a stand in other ways. For me it's up to the Police, who are paid to do the risk-laden job of managing the lawbreakers after all. If I was going to protest, it would be to those that have police targeting car drivers rather than developing a bigger presence on the streets.

- Alvin, London, England

No-one appreciates an interfering old bag these days, however good her intentions, had the guys been smoking in an enclosed space then I would understand why she intervened, however to stop louts smoking in a public place whether or not allowed, she should have done what a million an one other people would have done - and that is to turn a blind eye! I hope next time she thinks before she speaks for her on safety before she attempts to intervien!

- Raminder Bhalla, Northolt

What a bunch of weirdos - a woman was pushed off a station platform, and all you guys are concerned about is the right to have a fag. Blimey, the Brits have changed.

- Milly, London

Some of the commenters here are unbelievable. This is not about smoking, it's about someone being pushed onto live rails. It's not illegal to swear or play loud music, but we all appreciate it when someone steps up and tells them to stop or to turn it down. Do they deserve to be almost murdered?

It's about confronting bad behaviour, which in this case happens to be smoking in a place where smoking is not allowed. It could be swearing, littering, anything that makes other people's lives less pleasant.

Yes it's easier to tolerate, but then things get worse, this lady stepped up to the plate when other people wouldn't. Good on her. If we all joined in these idiots wouldn't think they could get away with things like this and she never would have been shoved onto a live railway line in the first place because these thugs would know that the rest of the commuters would pile in.

But no, 90% of the public are sheep, or will stand by and watch, thankful it's not them. Then justify their cowardice afterwards with the old standby that "i'd probably go to jail for assault"

Whatever helps you sleep at night

- Dan, London

Its an absolute outrage that I cant have a fag as and when I chose in this day and age.

I blame asylum seekers, and the credit crunch.

- Jon Tooth, Wales

You have to ask what were the woman´s motives in confronting these guys.

To be a good citizen and make the world a better place? Or to show her friends what a good, right on, new labour citizen she is and talk in a superior manner about the thugs all the way to London.

She is typical of a lot of ´civil society´, she wants to exercise her superiority over others to feel better about herself.

- Fred, Singapore,

I hope they find these two guys and they get sent down for a very long time, although knowing our judiciary they won't. owever, having read all the comments on this subject, I am a smoker, and I find non-smokers who think it the worst sin in the world to smoke on an 'open-air' platform actually need to go and get themselves a life. My little fag, in the open air, isn't going to kill anyone (except maybe me, but that's yet to be seen). The fact is that society messed up generations ago (and governments) because everyone sat back and did nothing about anti -social behaviour, preferring to look the other way
rather than get involved. Now most people do sit back and do nothing so the perpetrators do what they like now, and its become an epidemic. Everyone in society is to blame for today's problems I'm afraid. BJ Birmingham: I am a fully employed, tax paid up, never broken the law or sponged of the state citizen and I have rights too you know. It's not just the non-smokers that have rights!

- Sue, Orpington, Kent

Joan, London - I almost find it more offensive that you can't spell "human"! What an outrage!

Everyone - stop giving smokers such a hard time, we're not all bad, you know. I'm a smoker and, even before the smoking ban, would never have thought about smoking on a train platform. In fact, I generally don't smoke in the open air unless it's outside a pub with other smokers and am forever waving smoke out of others' faces when I do smoke (even if they're smokers). I hate it when people are walking down the street smoking and it wafts back in my face. I'd never do that. We're not all inconsiderate pigs!

- Collette, London

Would you be happy about a have a go hero trying to take a cigarette off you?

- Lauren, Wales.

"A scuffle broken out and she accidentally fell off the platform."

CCTV footage and witnesses will be the judge of that.

- Michael, London

To the people who condone this behaviour - love to see your reaction if it was your partner/mum pushed onto the line.

- Pete, Chelmsford, UK

If they identify the person who actually pushed her and secure a conviction, he will certainly get a long custodial sentence.

It's clearly attempted murder on two counts (either by electrocution or being run over by a rush-hour train, both risks which should have been obvious to the perpetrator), and there are no mitigating circumstances that I can see.

- Michael, London

"The Watcher" - it is you who is the "burk". Your views have no place in a modern society and echo beliefs shared by the Taliban. Perhaps you would feel more at home in Afghanistan?

- Marc, London

Paul Epps, I'm not sure whether you are trying to be antagonistic with your comments to stir up a response or whether you are really that ignorant and selfish.

A question, would you be happy that someone threw you onto a railtrack because you objected to their behaviour? The answer is no.

Try thinking before commenting.

- Ed, London

I wouldn't say she was standing up for her self at all but instead just causing problems for the sake of it. An empty open air train station and she felt the need to cause trouble? A scuffle broken out and she accidentally fell off the platform.

- Chrisrox, London

Have people not learnt to keep their noses out of everyone else's business? If someone is smoking in a non-smoking zone leave it to the staff to reprimand them, if they don't then they are not doing their jobs properly, why did she think that it was her duty to say something to them? Why did she not just find a staff member and point it out to them?

- B, West Yorkshire

"Speaking on the doorstep of her £300,000 home near Dartford, Kent,"

Why do reporters now report the value of a victim's home - it's quite common practice these days and totally irrelevant.

- Jl, London

The train staff would not have done anything anyway. I saw a gang of kids smoke drugs on a tube platform and informed a member of staff. He looked at my like I was stupid and then said "Well have you asked them to stop?" - pathetic he was not prepared to do anything

- Louise, London

This is clearly a premeditated attack, so due to the fact we all know live tracks kills.

So will they be charged with attempted murder.

£80 on the spot more likely.

As for the idea this is due to the smoking bans fault, that is ridiculous and beyond belief.

If you want to kill yourself, smell and finance this ridiculous government go ahead, but don't do it near me so I too smell of smoke and run the risk of dieing early.

The people that have justified these people actions are the problem with this country. You are giving the scum of this country an excuse.

No excuses! Wrong is wrong and should punished!

- Stuart, UK Luton

Once again we see an example of people completely lacking in moral fibre. The unfortunate part is that we now have generations of people who do not understand about right and wrong. Partly brought about by politicians who believe that we should not punish people for wrong doings, and it dogma that marriage is outdated and wrong.
Until punishment for breaking the law is reintroduced back into society we will continue to have this attitude that I can do what I like and nobody can tell me otherwise. Even the worse possible crime of murder no longer seams to worry these animals.
Labour must build enough spaces for proper control of people who do not want to live by the rules.

- Terrytintern, West Sussex

I sympathise with this woman but why did she approach them even. Why is there a rule for not smoking in the open air. As an ex smoker I am one of the brigade that are now so smug and cannot stand smoke but if I were next to a smoker in the open air I would just move away. Why incite trouble when there is no need.

- Anon, UK

The State decided that smoking was BAD, it then decided that secondary smoke intake was also bad (Totally inproven) and subsequently banned ALL smoking on British Rail stations.
This is totally and absolutely stupid, my station - like the one in question - is wide open and right in the middle of the sticks... plenty of fresh air.

To be correct, the smokers were breaking the Law... but I consider the Law to be an ass, and the two smokers were doing no harm to anybody.
The woman is a trouble maker and I'd hate to have her as my neighbour!

- Paul Epps, twickenham middlesex

We have a law (against smoking outdoors) which doesn't make sense that isn't even enforced by any of the authorities.

These people are clearly dangerous and not in control of their own anger, but they have been shaped by a society that is becoming increasingly barmy.

Our new social order tells us to keep ourselves to ourselves and let the government look after everything for us.

This increases the gap between rich and poor more than unbridled capitalism ever could.

- Tim, London

Neil of London. You are a burk of the highest order.
The two "undesirables" should have been grabbed, tied to the live rail and everyone could then have had a nice display as the staff put the juice back on.

It goes against all I have stood for, but zero tolerance must come back. Thrash these brainless dimwits, reintroduce the death penalty for the most serious and heinous of crimes....and the general populace to regain their backbone. Two people, and how many others on the platform?

- The Watcher, London

Now, come on Dave, be realistic! Speaking as an ex-Police Officer, they can't be everywhere at the same time, however, I do believe that when caught, these persons responsible will only be charged with a minor offence, as that will be the cheapest to prove. The person responsible should be charged with a serious offence as the potential was life threatening. I won't hold my breath though.

- Paul Bradford, Monflanquin, France

No doubt according to organisations such as Liberty, these sc*mbags were:
a) Exercising their yuman rites to disobey the No Smoking rule
b) Demonstrating the defence of their yuman rites by almost killing a law-biding person.

We will never have social peace in this Country now our laws are Made In EU! and the poor little law-biding individuals will just have to get used to it. Sinister or what?

- Joan, London, England

These idiots should be thrown in jail for a long time. And I find it really hard to believe that some smokers seem to be defending these criminal hooligans.

- Pete, Toronto

It is such attitudes and behaviour from our esteemed citizens that gives us such a bad reputation abroad. Reminds me of the disgusting fiasco involving 2 young female Brits on a plane recently....

To Rich B, please try not to be ignorant. Passive smoking IS harmful.....
And, every citizen has their rights, but don't forget they have their duties and responsibilities too in a society.

- Bj, Birmingham

Rich B of Redditch you are a moron - it's because of people like you that we have the levels of crime and disorder that we do. You do not have a God-given right to offend everyone else around you and behave in whatever offensive way you deem appropriate. I just hope you don't have any children. What a dreadful example you would be.

- Lj, london

Neil from London says: "That's why smoking should be allowed in an open-air station." What does this mean? That smoking should be allowed because otherwise people will get violent? There is simply no excuse for this kind of behaviour.
On several occasions I have asked people making excessive noise on trains to quieten down. I always get appreciative nods or comments from other passengers, who have often endured this disruption for lengthy periods, but without saying anything. Perhaps they are too afraid. Or perhaps it is that we are too British and disinclined to make a fuss. I wish more people were like Ms Buchanan and would stand up to those who are being anti-social (and ignore the comments of Rich B. from Redditch). However this kind of incident makes that rather less likely than I might like.

- Alexander, Bristol

When caught they should both get life sentences for attempted murder, the truth is they will probably prosecute the woman for offending their human rights. Where are the police? Why do they only arrive after a crime is committed? Why are they never proactively walking the beat, boarding trains etc.. Prevention is better than an ineffective cure. There were more murders in the UK in 2007 than in Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles in 1972, so its more dangerous to be a civilian in the UK during peacetime than being in the middle of an insurgency. Surely its time to have troops patrolling the streets, the police are clearly unable to do the job required of them.

- Dave, London

Disgusting. I just cant believe this. Will we ever get to zero tolerance in this country. I hope they are found and locked up for a long time.

- Nobby, East Yorkshire

While don't advocate what happened:
personally I blame our Nanny State Country for this..

1) what harm was it actually doing smoking on the platform. its just nanny state garbage.
2) do-gooders should know better than think they can stick their noses in in this day and age.

- Rich B, Redditch

This is what being British is all about. Stand up for your rights and get clobbered by yobs. Certainly makes me proud.

- Albert Swift, Aberdeen, Scotland

Yet again a lack of staff on stations contributes to passengers policing platforms themselves and ending-up being assaulted. So, no-one tried to stop these animals getting away? And why should they with knife crime on the rise.

Society has crumbled. What's the use of having no smoking and drinking laws when their is no-one to police them?

- Mark, London

The days of respect have long gone. In today's society no one can say anything to anyone.

- Sam, Birmingham

Bring back the Cat o' Nine Tails and the stocks and red hot needles up their fingernails. You can't say they were drunk or on drugs. Disgraceful.

- Haskey, London

That's why smoking should be allowed in an open-air station. People are getting sick of being told what to do all the time.

- Neil, London UK

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