Smoking ban what do you think?

[mariejader]

With only a few days left before the ban on smoking comes into force I was just wondering what your thoughts are?

[PKea]

I have 3 opinions of this

1) As an ex heavy smoker I appreicate it will be hard for people to go without cigs
2) As someone with a young family - it will be good to be able to go toplaces with clean air
3) As someone who manufactures and sells No smoking signs - Its great..

Paul

[mariejader]

I am an non smoker who visited Ireland just after the ban was brought in 2004 we were at a family party.

I found myself alone most of the evening :o as the party was being held outside in the smoking area

[Curlyben]

Personally I think the whole issue is severly hypocritical of the government.

They "earn" billions from the tabacco industry in duty alone.
If we all stopped smoking on July 1st they would be seriously out of pocket and would then spread this extra tax burden on to everyone else.

What ever happened to free will.
Hey smoking is a LEGAL drug and it's taxed accordingly.

I'm well aware of the arguement that smokers take up extra resources for the NHS, but the tax money from tabacoo duty ISN'T passed on to fund the NHS as it should be.

[MilkTrayMan]

Yep!

Definitely yet another case of the 'Tree-Huggering Terrorists' bullying their little-thought-out manifesto into the public domain.

I think I know how a Jew felt like in 1930's Germany.
This consistent chipping away at Smoker's Rights looks like the same thing to me!

I can't wait until there is an outcry against the use of Patio Warmers.
But then again, with cheap supermarket/duty free booze, why the need for pubs (...loss of further Tax Revenue) at all???

[Yoda]

I'm just a bit tired of hearing "Britain Goes Smoke Free on the 1st July !!!" Well, it doesn't does it? Banning smoking in enclosed public spaces & in the workplace is a far cry from Britain going smoke free.

[cassie2006]

I've smoked nearly all my life

Not been able to smoke at work for quite a few years now. But now they're not allowing us to smoke outside the building either.

If I was a non-smoker I'm sure I'd be delighted but I'm not a non-smoker - where's the treasury going to get the money when lots of smokers give up - watch this space - ALL our taxes will have to go up. If they're so against it then they should ban smoking altogether, but we all know they won't do that!
Marie, I too travel to Ireland a lot to visit my mum. A lot of non-smokers didn't like the smoking ban because conversations were interrupted while smokers went outside for a smoke - and MilkTrayMan you're right - they started moaning about the damage the patio heaters were doing to the ozone layer!

"Can't do right for doing wrong"

Also, I'm sure I didn't dream it" but didn't the government put 25p on a packet a few years ago, that was to go direct to the NHS to pay for our "smoking related illnesses" - funny that - my mum's 81, smoked since she was 20 and never had a day's illness in her life (touch wood).

Cassie

[Spiceskull]

I smoke...and TBH I think that the "public space" smoke free zone is a good idea in principle. I have children, my friends have children, and I do not think that they, or staff for that matter, should be exposed to other peoples' smoke.

However, I also believe in choice, and I think it should be for pubs/clubs (restaurants really should be smoke free anyway) to decide whether or not they want to allow smokers. They could indicate this with big "Smoking Allowed" signs, so that people could exercise choice before entering.

As for staff in smoking establishments - if they know that smoking is allowed then they are making a choice as to whether or not they want to work in that environment. There will be plenty of smoke free workplaces that they could choose instead, in much the same way as people can consider other parameters when choosing to take a job elsewhere.

However, the Government message in all this is "...protecting the health and rights of others..." With this in mind they could always outlaw smoking...they could also outlaw all diesel vehicles, the ones that belch out tons of carbon particulates each year, and cause asthma in children. They should also consider abolishing all coal fired powers stations, again, generous contributors to airborne pollution...and cheap flights...and businesses that pollute the water system...and companies that spray crops with all sorts of crap...and hospitals that make you more ill than when you entered...and Brussels Sprouts, the ultimate methane producer...

So, once again we have a Government imposing a new law/directive on us, for the wrong reasons and with all the wrong explanations. What will irritate me more on July 1st is not the ban (I can work my life around this) but the sheer hypocrisy of the situation...

I now have Mrs Spice asking if "...you are going off on one of those again..." LOL

[HSBCrusher]

they could also outlaw all diesel vehicles

well thats OK now you have your window

Hey, CAG has always been smoke free anyway.
And always will be untill someone invents a way of smoking over the internet.
The "virtual ciggy"

[Spiceskull]

Originally Posted by HSBCrusher

And always will be untill someone invents a way of smoking over the internet. The "virtual ciggy"

You mean like this?

[MilkTrayMan]

Originally Posted by cassie2006

MilkTrayMan you're right...

???...Of course I'm right!
...I'm a Bloke aren't I?!!!...lol...

[monopoly23]

I work in a casino. I'd guess that approx. 80% of the customers that come in are smokers, and an even higher percentage of the staff (including me).

The fact is, that as of yet, my casino has done nothing to provide members with an easy way to nip out for a fag, bearing in mind all the security issues. For them to get outside, they'd have to walk up about 40 steps, or wait for an annoyingly slow lift that would more than likely be too crammed to fit everyone in. This will probably prevent people from coming in, thus losing the govt. vast amounts of money from the casino taxes.

Also, we have only been in the current building for about 2 and a half years, and in all that time, there has been smoking and non-smoking staff rooms. The non-smoking staff room is barely used at all, as all the non-smokers don't want to be sat in there alone when everyone else is in the other room.

I can't possibly fathom why the govt. has taken away the rights of a private club, with separate staff rooms, or any other building that provides this facility. If people want to smoke, they will. There are plenty of other reasons why the NHS has no money, why choose to pin it all on smokers?

I do agree that it should be banned in child friendly areas, and in the public areas of a building etc, but what's wrong with ADULTS being given a choice whether they want to sit in a smoky room or not?

[MilkTrayMan]

Uncovered railway station platforms, even those out in the wilds, are deemed to be 'enclosed' public spaces...likewise sporting stadia!

...Even your OWN home, if a Liverpool Council Official makes a visit!!!

[dave]

Originally Posted by MilkTrayMan

Yep!

Definitely yet another case of the 'Tree-Huggering Terrorists' bullying their little-thought-out manifesto into the public domain.

I think I know how a Jew felt like in 1930's Germany.
This consistent chipping away at Smoker's Rights looks like the same thing to me!

I can't wait until there is an outcry against the use of Patio Warmers.
But then again, with cheap supermarket/duty free booze, why the need for pubs (...loss of further Tax Revenue) at all???

Hence: BBC NEWS | UK | Drink campaign 'has wrong focus'

Push people out of pubs (smoking/stupidy high prices), then tax them out of existence when they have a drink at home.

[dave]

It's up there with 4x4's - Why are they being demonised? I'm not a fan, although I don't see that it's anyone's right to tell another what they can or cannot drive (or smoke, drink, eat etc...)

[Wilks 77]

I live in Wales where the ban has been in force for some months. I think its great, obviously a non-smoker. When I go out for a nite out, I don't come home smelling of smoke and my chest feels a lot better as a result. I can't wait until it gets really cold and wet, I'll start my own site seeing buisiness travelling past all the nite spots giggling at the frozen people outside trying to keep warm around a cigarette or a match.

Brill!!!

[Wilks 77]

An enclosed public space for this law, is an area that has more than two sides and a roof. They have had to even adapt bus shelters as a result.