English smoking ban

[Stopper]

So, what does everyone make of it? I ask partly because I haven't been in a pub for three months, a month after I started my latest - umpteenth - attempt at giving up the fags. And, despite invites, I still haven't been in one since the ban came in.

I'm broadly in favour of it myself, and as far as I'm aware, it should be largely practicable to enforce - I'm not aware of it being a problem in any other territory, but if anyone wants to correct me on that, go ahead. Although I'm generally libertarian when it comes to (all) drugs - ultimately, adults should be free to consume whatever they wish - but that's no reason why the state can't heavily restrict and regulate their sale and consumption.

(As a side note: part of the inspiration for this thread came just 15 minutes ago. I'm at work, and I went out to get a sandwich for my dinner. The shop is 300 metres away, and I pass 3 pubs to get to it. Each pub had at least one smoker outside.

I haven't been exposed to so much fag smoke for the aforementioned three months, and now I'm gasping for one. I've got a tablet of Boots NicAssist 2mg nicotine gum in my mouth, but it ain't the same.)

[DAZMCFC]

i am all for it. when i come back from the pub on a sunday afternoon, i don`t stink of smoke. it was pissing down on sunday, but the bar maid and some others had to go outside. so funny, so desperate to put that nicotine stick in their mouths. you will still get people oblivious to it or don`t give a shit because they think they are beyond the law, especially in the local shopping centre(scroats mainly).

[Norse]

Yeah, I am a 15-20 a day merchant, but have to agree that I prefer it. Your clothes dont stink when you come back from the pub, you can have a meal without some ignorant ass-hole lighting up on the next table.

It's all for the best really, no harm and only good can come from it. Plus It's going to help me cut down .

[Stopper]

i am all for it. when i come back from the pub on a sunday afternoon, i don`t stink of smoke. it was pissing down on sunday, but the bar maid and some others had to go outside. so funny, so desperate to put that nicotine stick in their mouths. you will still get people oblivious to it or don`t give a shit because they think they are beyond the law, especially in the local shopping centre(scroats mainly).

Would I be right in thinking, then, that you've never been a smoker, Daz? I just say because I think I kind of assumed you would have been one at some point, but from what you say there, it sounds like you never have been (or maybe, you're a born-again non-smoker.)

As to compliance, I initially assumed that it would be flouted a lot, particularly by pubs, but I do get the impression it's generally complied with.

Your clothes dont stink when you come back from the pub, you can have a meal without some ignorant ass-hole lighting up on the next table.

Actually, if you're currently smoking, you might be unaware of how much you smell, even when you haven't been in a pub. Every time I quit, I never fail to be surprised by how much the house, and clothes that were last washed before I stopped, stink.

It's all for the best really, no harm and only good can come from it. Plus It's going to help me cut down .

There was another thread about giving up recently. I was going to revive that, but I couldn't find it.

I'm not going to get any controversy out of this, am I?

I'll say one thing, then. I've always fondly thought of smoke-filled bookies, dog/race courses and pubs to be a characteristic part of the British (and maybe Irish) life. I have fond memories of all these places from when I was a kid. Particularly of a cigar smoke/urine smell-tainted cafe in Newcastle (I think) racecouse. (It was next to the urinals.)

But now everything's become cleaner and more sanitised. Everywhere's more family-friendly. I suppose this is a good thing overall (especially if you have children, which I don't), but everything's becoming the same. Maybe I'm just being sentimental, but I get the feeling we've lost something.

[Skittles!]

This recently happened in Australia, or maybe just the state I live in. I think I need to pay more attention to the news.

[AlgyTaylor]

I think it's generally a good thing. Provided people aren't outlawed totally from smoking then it's a good thing.

[0ojakeo0]

i think that happened in america but i havnt smoked recently

[Phobia]

Thumbs up for me

[Minister Masket]

i think that happened in america but i havnt smoked recently

Once again, you're 12. Do you smoke? If so, therapy just won't be good enough for you.

[0ojakeo0]

havnt smokedand y the f*ck do u care so much 12 year olds arent clueless like they were wen u were a kid in the 1800s

[Minister Masket]

havnt smokedand y the f*ck do u care so much 12 year olds arent clueless like they were wen u were a kid in the 1800s

I'm 16, you jerk-wad. Pay attention next time.

[0ojakeo0]

havnt smokedand y the f*ck do u care so much 12 year olds arent clueless like they were wen u were a kid in the 1800s

I'm 16, you jerk-wad. Pay attention next time.

sorry i dont ask ppl there age and then post it in every thread i see

[unriggable]

havnt smokedand y the f*ck do u care so much 12 year olds arent clueless like they were wen u were a kid in the 1800s

PLEASE ADD PUNCTUATION NEXT TIME

[0ojakeo0]

havnt smokedand y the f*ck do u care so much 12 year olds arent clueless like they were wen u were a kid in the 1800s

PLEASE ADD PUNCTUATION NEXT TIME

were would the punctuation go?

[unriggable]

havnt smokedand y the f*ck do u care so much 12 year olds arent clueless like they were wen u were a kid in the 1800s

PLEASE ADD PUNCTUATION NEXT TIME

were would the punctuation go?

Haven't smoked, and why the f*ck do you care so much, 12 year olds aren't clueless like they were when you were a kid in the 1800's.

[Phobia]

haven't smoked and y the f*ck do u care so much 12 year olds arent clueless like they were wen u were a kid in the 1800s

PLEASE ADD PUNCTUATION NEXT TIME

were would the punctuation go?

And can we get back on topic please

Edit: fastposted lol

[unriggable]

Fine. I can't find any link for the smoking ban online, anybody have one.

[Stopper]

[quickguerillapostbeforebossfindsout]

Thank you, Phobia.

This article I actually read just before starting this topic. For people who can't/don't want to read, here's a choice clip:

The smoking ban is a classic instance of what central government enjoys most, meddling in personal behaviour (ID cards, NHS records, Asbos, smoking bans) while ignoring forms of social control which it understands least, family and local self-discipline. There is a yawning gap between Labour's all-pervading state interventionism, which it laughably calls "liberal", and the tradition of English liberalism which must now term itself libertarian and which, long abandoned by both Liberals and Tories, is all but silent these days.

The Liberals and the Tories have abandoned his notion of "traditional English liberalism" precisely because no-one wants it. Everybody laugh at the dumbass!

[/endguerillapost]

[Bertros Bertros]

I've been a degenerate smoker for the last 17 years. I've quit countless times and currently am in a happy(ish) place where I only smoke some weekends, and when it seems appropriate, like at Glasto. I gave up in January and didnt smoke for 2 months cold turkey, none of that nicotine replacement milarkey, I reckon that makes the cravings worse, in the long term its a habit you got to beat, not a chemical addiction...

I have the additional problem that the whole tobacco/weed thing has been blurred for so long that its hard to distinguish what the urge to smoke is about. I've been through several lengthy periods of always being stoned just cause I wanted to smoke fags but refused too, which is not a good thing at all. Funny the games your mind plays on you hey...

Anyway I digress. All in all I'm in favour of the ban for selfish reasons. I can go to the pub and not be tempted to smoke (we've had a no smoking pub up the road for over a year so it hasnt changed that much anyway) and I'm not being subjected to the vile noxious output of Londons favourite tab, the Malboro Light. I'd be happy if they just banned tailor mades. The smoke which comes off them is so much more offensive and cloying than rollups. And besides if you want to smoke I think you should show some commitment and at least make your own!

So that being that I still think the ban is a draconian imposition on our civil liberties and pandering to the zealotry of the Roy Castle banner waving anti-smoking brigade. You can't even smoke outside in a lot of places anymore, train stations for example or public spaces enclosed on three sides by walls no matter how big the space. The blanket ban legislation is so heavy handed. Smoking is so demonised these days that it seems perfectly acceptable to folks normally very liberally minded to totally deny people the choice. I'm not one to apply one rule to one thing and another to another. I am pro choice and thats that.

I also wonder whats going to happen to a lot of small music venues and night clubs. Maybe we'll all be meeting at the services at midnight and dancing in fields again like the early 90s... ahh happy days!

Whatever I'm pretty sure all those shares I bought in off licences will prove a sensible buy over the next year or so...

Right I'm off, its Friday afternoon and I can hear a beer and a smoke calling!

[btownmeggy]

My city also has a smoking ban. My response to it is not exactly ideological or philosophical. Well, maybe it's philosophically hedonistic: I'm just concerned about my personal pleasure in the matter. I also pay some heed to the children.

Now, I'm not a smoker, but I sometimes smoke. Maybe about 1 pack per month.

I appreciate the smoking ban at restaurants, because smoke and delicious food are foul foes. Also, most restaurants do have children at them, children who don't have a say in where they go usually, so second-hand smoke, blah blah whatever.

HOWEVER, I find the smoking ban at bars and coffee shops very disagreeable. When I'm drunk or highly caffeinated are really the only times I want to smoke, and doing it alone on my balcony makes me feel a lot more guilty and pathetic about smoking than I would prefer! In general, in the US at least, there aren't kids at bars or coffee shops. Everyone who goes to them, chooses to go to them and to be surrounded by vice.

[diddle]

i think its a good, thing, there are obviously no benefits of smoking, and second hand smoke is even worse, so its good that we no longer have to suffer

[Anarkistsdream]

Many many cities are going towards the smoking ban, and I'm all happy for it... I can't smoke my weed in the bars, so f*ck you and your cigarettes!!!!!

[vtmarik]

The two studies cited by most people who support smoking bans are a WHO study and an EPA study.

The WHO study found that the link between second-hand smoke and lung cancer in adults wasn't statisically viable. Basically, chances of developing lung cancer when exposed to second hand smoke are 12 in one million, where as the chances of developing lung cancer when not exposed are 10 in one million. This didn't affect the Press Release which stated that the link was real and a major difference in rates (a lie).

The EPA study cited the most was thrown out by a federal court because the EPA ignored their own study guidelines to arrive at a preconceived conclusion.


If you don't like cigarette smoke, that's just groovy, but don't believe the hype about second-hand smoke giving you cancer. You're more likely to get struck by lightning or get killed by a falling coconut.

They passed a "No Smoking In Restaurants or Public Buildings" ban here in my home state. They're about to pass a "No smoking outside public buildings or in your car if there's a child present" ban. It's retarded.

[sam_levi_11]

like the fact your more likely to be killed by falling fridges than bungee jumping

[unriggable]

Stopper's link is written by the same guys who wrote that if we legalize gay marriage then the next step is legal man-animal marriage, then man-object marraige, etc.