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Posted: 16-09-2004 12:29 Post subject: Smoking Ban

Couldn't find a thread on this and as we seem to be doing well on contraversial topics at the moment I thought I'd bring this up.

As Scottish board members will know, Jack McConnell wants to bring a ban on smoking in pubs and clubs, much like the one in Ireland. This has brought claims from both sides about how many people actually want a ban and how many don't. So far, roughly the same (high) figures are touted from both sides saying the majority agree with them.

What do people think about smoking bans in pubs and clubs?

Posted: 16-09-2004 12:49 Post subject:

I've plumped for the separate areas option.

Baning smoking in all bars is draconian. At the end of the day, all that matters for me is that another person's decision to smoke doesn't impact upon my health. As an asthmatic who should never really touch fags, I nevertheless find there to be no obvious consequences for me in hanging around smokey pubs. As such I'm not really bothered if others want to smoke, but it makes sense to give people who feel more strongly a space away from said fumes.

Posted: 16-09-2004 12:49 Post subject:

It depends. If a pub is smoking then you dont have to go in there, the same with a restaurant. Personally, as non smoker I would like to see it banned in public, that may seem extreme, but I really dont like the smell, it makes me nauseos (sp).

Posted: 16-09-2004 12:52 Post subject:

Now I don't consider myself to be a reactionary, but I do consider myself to be a reforming smoker (one pack in the last 2 months - get a load of me) and, even though I'm in the process of trying insanely hard to give up, I would go spare if they banned smoking in pubs and clubs. And I also hate 2 things:

1) non-smokers who call me stupid for starting smoking when they have never smoked in their lives. I'll give you a clue, pariahs, it is actually quite enjoyable. After 15 years it becomes stinky, boring and expensive, but I still enjoy a nice relaxing fag every now and again.

2) non-smokers who tar all smokers with the same brush (excuse the unintentional pun). Credit the majority of us with the sensitivity and intelligence not to spark up a Marlboro Red when you're about to tuck into your jasmine souffle.

Edited because I am not speke england many good

Posted: 16-09-2004 13:09 Post subject:

I would personally like to see a total ban. I would probably go out more often if I knew I didn't have to choke, get sore eyes and come home smelling like the bottom of an ashtray.

I am not more moderate about this because (and this is the contraversial bit) I would like to see smokers suffer the way they have made me suffer over the years.

Have to go outside in the winter for a fag?
Diddums! I have been going outside in the cold to recover from the streaming eyes and choked lungs for years. Not nice is it?

Also for all of my life, smokers have had the choice about whether to smoke or not. I haven't. Dave Allen put it briliantly once. He asked someone not to smoke in front of him. They replied that he was drinking alcohol wasn't he? He replied "yes but I'm not pissing all over you when I'm doing it!"

I appreciate that most people don't feel that strongly though.

But consider this, a ban on public smoking has had the marvellous effect of REDUCING ciggarette sales in the places where it has been applied! Is that not good?? I mean do any of you really WANT to be giving any of your money to ciggarette companies? And I have heard time and again that it helps people to give up. Considering how many smokers actually WANT to give up at any time, that also has to be a good thing. Not to mention the health aspects. Lets face it, this country (Scotland in particular) could do with all the help it can get.

Posted: 16-09-2004 13:10 Post subject:

I'm a non-smoker, and I'm very much against smoking in the workplace. Having said that, I'm not against smoking in public (even though I can't stand it, and my clothes stink after being in a smoky pub). Why?
If there was a blanket ban on smoking, pubs and clubs would find their profits plummet. I'm generalising massively here, but smokers are the sort of people who regularly frequent pubs and clubs. They go there because they can't smoke anywhere else.
This would eventually cause negative social change. Whole industries would die, etc.

Posted: 16-09-2004 13:18 Post subject:

Well it's funny, because there are people who make that argument, and I'm not saying it's a bad one. God knows I hate coming home from a pub stinking of stale smoke, and a hangover is much much better if you haven't smoked or breathe anyone else's smoke in. Much much much better. But most of my friends don't smoke, and oddly enough, I don't see them making mass trips to the freezing outside world every time we go to the pub or a club, to clear their streaming eyes and choked lungs. Most of them never mention it at all. I've got to say, of the people I know who don't smoke, about 1% of them actually have a bee in their bonnet about it.

I don't smoke in the workplace. If I'm at someone's house and they don't smoke, I won't go outside for a fag (unless I'm REALLY drunk). I don't smoke at home, even though all of my flatmates do. And Min, I have never personally made you suffer with my smoking, and neither have most of the majority of people on this board, so can you perhaps see it's a bit offensive to suggest that we all suffer for the sake of the loudly vocal minority?

Posted: 16-09-2004 13:22 Post subject:

Posted: 16-09-2004 13:28 Post subject:

I read the line, but the point was still raised. I do feel quite strongly about this too - I was answering you on your own terms. Fair's fair, dude Wink

.

And I did also read the last paragraph and ignored it. I enjoy smoking every now and again, so yeah I don't mind giving money to the cigarette companies. They're providing me with goods - money is exhanged for goods and services - there's no such thing as a free fag. Health - I'm quite healthy. Not a total health junkie, but I eat well, exercise fairly regularly and am in quite good shape. I don't smoke so much that it makes me feel ill (I used to when I was a teenager, it's not nice and you only realise once you've stopped) and if I am addicted to nicotine, it's only very slightly. Still, I fully support people's right to smoke where they want as I think that a total ban is, as has been pointed out, draconian. Smoking areas are a good idea. Total bans aren't. My point of view, but then I can't hope to speak for everyone on the board can I.

Care to patronise me any more? :p

Posted: 16-09-2004 13:40 Post subject:

Posted: 16-09-2004 13:43 Post subject:

Posted: 16-09-2004 13:44 Post subject:

*note to min - see the smiling tongue sticking out smiley and winking smiley in response to your rolleyes smiley*

Posted: 16-09-2004 13:51 Post subject:

I'd like to see it banned in public places where hot food is prepared and served on the premises, but for normal pubs and clubs this should be left to the discretion of the landlord / manager. In this way pubs would get a reputation as a smokers pub, or a non-smoker pub, therefore people could make an educated choice on where they want to go. Also, to avoid having to ban smoking, clubs may stop serving soggy chips and microwaved burgers that are digustingly irresistable after 13 bottles of Becks.

Posted: 16-09-2004 14:40 Post subject:

I've gone for a ban where food is being served. I don't go to pubs very often but when I do I generally go to non smoking areas anyway.

However, in restaurants the smell of smoke is just vile. I only go to non smoking ones now.

Posted: 16-09-2004 15:23 Post subject:

I really don't support a total ban on smoking in public. If tobacco is really so bad for everyone's health why not ban it's sale? I see a ban on where you smoke it as the government and tobacco companies having their cake and eating it too. All the revenue but the appearance of being caring and sharing and taking action.

I don't believe that banning smoking in public places would kill pub trade though. Personally I think that private places will spring up where people can smoke and drink in a relaxed atmosphere.

Saying all that, we watched my step mother smoke herself to death. If she had given up when the doctor told her to, I believe (And so did the doctor.) that she would have lived longer and had a better quality of life, but she wouldn't. She loved smoking and even imminent death didn't put her off. I don't think that a chilly evening would have either.:p My father gave up smoking one year after she died. He just stopped. He said that he couldn't give up while he lived with a smoker and he certainly wasn't going to attempt it straight after he lost her. My brother still smokes though. He knows the risks and did give up at one point but he's back on it now. He doesn't smoke in the flat or at work, but in the evenings he pops off for a puff.

I think that a ban on smoking in food areas is a good idea, but a total ban is unneccessary and from a policy point of view hypocritical. "We the government must protect you from this hideous practice, but we'll still profit from it, thanks." To allow the sale, but not use is ridiculous. Rather like the old, 'you can have sex at 16, but not watch it on a screen' law. Very Happy

It just doesn't make sense to me.