View Full Version : Smoking In Public
"HEALTH CHIEF URGES PUBLIC SMOKING BAN Smoking should be banned in public places to combat the threat of illnesses caused by passive inhalation, Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson has said. Sir Liam called on the Government to legislate to introduce a wide-ranging ban which would cover places such as pubs, restaurants and shopping centres"
Sounds like a great idea to me. What do other people think?
xLittlexBabyxNothingx
03-07-2003, 21:41
I think it is a good idea too - i would like to see it put into place
i agree with it, being paranoid about catching anything from anything at all. does anyone here smoke?
Well, I smoke, and I think as long as you are considerate theres no problem. I'm not the sort of person who goes around blowing smoke in peoples faces.
I think smokers are pretty badly treated anyway, about the only public places where we are allowed to smoke is a pub, where you kind of expect smokers. If you don't like it, theres non-smoking pubs...
I can understand peoples concerns, and I do think whenever possible non-smokers should be allowed a place where they can go if they so wish, but I think an outright ban is going too far and you have to ask where it will stop. Will they ban loud music in clubs for potentially damaging peoples hearing? Or mobile phones in public places such as theatres because they piss me off? Also, I don't drive, and I don't enjoy breathing in exhaust fumes from peoples cars anymore than you might enjoy breathing in smoke, but I wouldn't advocate banning cars.
I think theres enough regulations on the freedom of the individual already, do you want us to turn into some kind of nanny state? Smokers are taxed, regulated and prohibited to the hilt as it is, leave us alone!
there aren't many places left that allow smoking. but i must admit to being a hypocrite in that i smoke but i hate smoky places. there should be rules where just i can smoke in lovely clean places.
maradona
03-07-2003, 23:17
great idea, and one that would be long overdue
i'm sick of going out and sitting in the no smoking section then out of about 20 customers 3 happen to be smoking in the smoking section...yet it still stinks the whole place out. Smoking is just not possible in a 'considerate' fashion, because the smell and the fumes once in the air just go all over the place.
In my nanny state, mobile phones would also be banned in restaurants and bar. Big punishments for dropping litter as well....andpeople who spit their chewing gum out on the street would get whipped. The UK is the most disgusting place in the whole of Europe litter-wise :(
But when i'm king this will all change, just you wait and see.
I totally agree as far as litter goes, but in my mind thats a different issue. You can't get away from that and it affects everyone and virtually nothing is done about it. Smokers have already been banned from smoking in most public places and as we are already heavily punished for our habit, I think they should pick on someone else now.
Originally posted by Pimpf
I think they should pick on someone else now.
Yes. Like Pigeons. The bastards.
Amanda Graceywire
03-07-2003, 23:41
<rare venture in this forum>
... as I'm allergic to tobacco I think you can guess what my view on this is ...
<disappears again> :o
Fuck it then, let`s just ban everything, why stop with smoking? Ban cars, buses, motorcycles, lorries etc because they pump out tons of shit into the atmosphere, kill people and stop lazy people from getting any exercise. You can't use a bicycle instead though, they've been banned for riding on pavements and nearly running people over because they don't stop at crossings.
Ban planes for being noisy, pumping shit into the atmosphere, and crashing. Ban knives, for stabbing people, ban guns, for shooting people, ban bananas because people slip over their peels in the Beano, ban glass because it smashes, ban sleeping because people snore and occasionally die in their sleep, ban all kinds of medication which have any kind of side effect whatsoever. Ban any music or art which isn't seen to extoll pure, innocent virtues. Ban cats for shitting in my garden, dogs for shitting in the street.
:P
Amanda Graceywire
03-07-2003, 23:54
That's the last time I come in here, then... :eek:
Originally posted by Amanda Graceywire
That's the last time I come in here, then... :eek:
Sorry Amanda, that wasn't aimed at you, please don`t be put off from posting in here more :)
Amanda Graceywire
04-07-2003, 00:03
I think I'll leave that to people who actually have a brain and knowledge :)
...for the record, it doesn't bother me *that* much when people smoke in public, I mean, my dad smokes a fucking pipe *bleurgh* and refuses to relent on it... I hate it with a passion, but he can do what he likes, really. I just get annoyed by the fact I'm allergic to it all and when arrogant fuckers blow smoke around I start coughing, sneezing and (sometimes) choking to the point where I can't stop. :(
I think drinking in the street is worse, really... at least smoking apparently calms people down, I'd rather deal with a smoker than a drinker at midnight in Grays... :lol: Well, people can do what they want. As long as the fuckers don't deliberately try to give me an allergy attack. :mad:
*is annoyed this is all subjective opinion again :(*
Lollipop Gestapo
04-07-2003, 00:43
I don't smoke but I think that people should be able to smoke in public places if they want to. In restaurants etc there are obviously non-smoking and smoking sections and I don't see any reason for changing it. As someone said above, everytime we go out of the house we are vulnerable to fumes etc. What about GM foods? A lot of people think they are a danger to the public health but the government seems very intent on marketing them.
Originally posted by Lollipop Gestapo
I don't smoke but I think that people should be able to smoke in public places if they want to. In restaurants etc there are obviously non-smoking and smoking sections and I don't see any reason for changing it. As someone said above, everytime we go out of the house we are vulnerable to fumes etc. What about GM foods? A lot of people think they are a danger to the public health but the government seems very intent on marketing them.
Yeah I'm kind of with you on that. I mean I do hate smoke around me and I woud never smoke and I think bar-staff should be protected but I hate the idea of banning it everywhere when they're quite happy to pollute our air and water and suchlike with chemicals, it seems a bit excessive and puritanical. As long as the non smoking areas are properly contained and people are considerate and don't smoke over my meal or anything cos that's rude! I do however agree with fining on the spot for dropping cigarrette stubbs and chewing gum, which reeeeally annoys me :mad:
Originally posted by Amanda Graceywire
<rare venture in this forum>
... as I'm allergic to tobacco I think you can guess what my view on this is ...
<disappears again> :o
Amanda.... this could prove to be an issue between you and james ;)
Amanda Graceywire
04-07-2003, 12:55
Nah. I'd get my adenoids taken out if that were ever to happen. Which it won't, so, blah. :)
What happens to you when you're exposed to tobacco?
*reminds self to tell euan not to smoke near amanda*
Amanda Graceywire
04-07-2003, 13:09
I just start coughing, sneezing and having trouble breathing (I think my throat must swell up or summat)... that's even when I'm around tobacco that's not alight or in a cigarette (so my dad's tobacco box must be avoided ;)) I can cope with it most times, though, so I don't wanna stop people.
thats shit. I found out (after the first time i saw the manics) that I was allergic to feather boas haha! Got a massive rash and everything orund my neck. Its only if its near my skin tho.
bornagirl76
04-07-2003, 13:41
Originally posted by Pimpf
I can understand peoples concerns, and I do think whenever possible non-smokers should be allowed a place where they can go if they so wish,
Oooh, how considerate of you! I think that whenever possible smokers should be allowed a place to go and smoke if they wish, not the other way around. Then the rest of us won't be made ill by their stinking stench.
I'm allergic to cigarette smoke so this is a bit of an issue for me. But still, I don't give a shit if it's ultra-PC to ban smoking in public places - there are a hell of a lot more places where people can smoke than where it's prohibited, so if the air is made just a little cleaner and safer for the rest of us it's fine by me.
Originally posted by bornagirl76
Oooh, how considerate of you! I think that whenever possible smokers should be allowed a place to go and smoke if they wish, not the other way around. Then the rest of us won't be made ill by their stinking stench.
I meant in a pub, I didn't just mean anywhere :rolleyes: IMHO, if you go to a pub you've got to expect it to be a bit smoky, just like if you go to a club you expect loud music, or if you go to a gig you expect people to chuck beer over everyone. You might not like it, but you can't just ban something because you personally don't like it. When I go to pubs, I don't particuarly enjoy beered up twats taking the piss out of me for not looking like a scally, but I wouldn't want them banned. It goes with the territory.
oo! i just thought i should mention, i am allergic to whatever chemical the throat produces when you have a throat infection (begins with an s, but i cant remember what its called). little did i also know that the throat produces it when you inhale enough cigarette smoke, and i had a couple of cigarettes last week (my first and last ill have you know) and so had a really sore throat, a rash on my chest for the week after (and lost my voice for 2 days). just thought that would interest someone or other.
Screaming Icon
05-07-2003, 01:33
I smoke and feel like shit for doing it in public. If anyone has a problem with it and I'm with them, I won't smoke.
Originally posted by Pimpf
but you can't just ban something because you personally don't like it.
Missing the point totally. Hundreds, thousands of non-smokers contract smoking related illnesses each year. It's about our health, not just because someone dosn't like it.
Smokers moan about a nanny-state and this is bizarre. Our state, for once, is showing concern about our health and we throw it back in their face because we enjoy toking on a small white stick.
Personally I think if you're stupid enough to smoke, you deserve any health problems that might occur later on in life. There are no excuses, we know smoking kills.
I also find it offensive that smokers are treated on the NHS. If people had to pay for their own health treatment, that'd bring the number of smokers down. The NHS would then be able to deal with the people that really need state help.
amaranth
05-07-2003, 02:25
Originally posted by Pimpf
Well, I smoke, and I think as long as you are considerate theres no problem. I'm not the sort of person who goes around blowing smoke in peoples faces.
I think smokers are pretty badly treated anyway, about the only public places where we are allowed to smoke is a pub, where you kind of expect smokers. If you don't like it, theres non-smoking pubs...
I can understand peoples concerns, and I do think whenever possible non-smokers should be allowed a place where they can go if they so wish, but I think an outright ban is going too far and you have to ask where it will stop. Will they ban loud music in clubs for potentially damaging peoples hearing? Or mobile phones in public places such as theatres because they piss me off? Also, I don't drive, and I don't enjoy breathing in exhaust fumes from peoples cars anymore than you might enjoy breathing in smoke, but I wouldn't advocate banning cars.
I think theres enough regulations on the freedom of the individual already, do you want us to turn into some kind of nanny state? Smokers are taxed, regulated and prohibited to the hilt as it is, leave us alone!
I agree with that. And I'm a non-smoker. If they start doing things like this, it'll be opening the flood gates in some way. If smoking has to be legal, it has to be legal in public places. Otherwise it should just be banned althogether. If the government really cares about the health of it's people, it should ban smoking. That way there would be no risk from passive smoke, and the smokers would all be saved from themselves. But we know that's never going to happen...
Originally posted by Void
Missing the point totally. Hundreds, thousands of non-smokers contract smoking related illnesses each year. It's about our health, not just because someone dosn't like it.
In most pubs though you aren't allowed to smoke at the bar which should considerably reduce the risk to employees, but I think my point still stands that if you go to a pub, you have to expect people smoking. I don't think you should just be allowed to smoke anywhere, for instance I think smoking should be banned in restaurants because even I find it unpleasant when someones smoking while you are eating. We're not just talking about reducing the risk to people and being considerate though, we're talking about banning it in all public places which is quite another matter. How about if you have dedicated smoking and non-smoking pubs? Surely then its up to you to take the risk in going to a smoking pub if you are a non-smoker?
Originally posted by Void
Smokers moan about a nanny-state and this is bizarre. Our state, for once, is showing concern about our health and we throw it back in their face because we enjoy toking on a small white stick.
Personally I think if you're stupid enough to smoke, you deserve any health problems that might occur later on in life. There are no excuses, we know smoking kills.
I also find it offensive that smokers are treated on the NHS. If people had to pay for their own health treatment, that'd bring the number of smokers down. The NHS would then be able to deal with the people that really need state help.
But you see, now you're coming back to the old chestnut of 'people shouldn't be allowed to do things which are bad for them'. All smokers know the risks associated with it, and that's a risk we're prepared to take. There's huge signs on cigarette packets now saying "SMOKING KILLS", we're not exactly oblivious to the risks. But, if we want to do something that ruins our health, thats up to us, I don't want some do-gooder telling me what to do with my life. I'll do whatever the fuck I like with my body thanks-very-much. I think alcohol is equally as harmful as tobacco. People around drinkers might not get 'passive drinking' effects, but they are still exposed to the harm it causes through violence, crime, anti-social behaviour etc, yet you don't see big signs on bottles of beer telling you how harmful it is, and drinkers aren't persecuted in the same way that smokers are. In fact, I'd say in a lot of respects drinkers are positively encouraged in this country.
As for smokers not being treated on the NHS, that's bollocks frankly. We already pay through the nose in taxes, the government makes huge amounts of money from smokers. Do you think people with liver problems should not be treated either then, because of excessive drinking? Or people involved in road accidents shouldn't be treated because they were speeding, or driving without a license? If not, what is the difference? All of these involve people making a conscious decision to do something which is potentially detrimental to their health for whatever reasons, so why should they be treated any differently? The day the NHS starts saying 'we`re not going to treat you because of such-and-such' is the day it ceases to be the NHS, in that its supposed to treat anyone, regardless of who they are, what they've done or how much money they have.
Originally posted by Pimpf
In most pubs though you aren't allowed to smoke at the bar which should considerably reduce the risk to employees
What about the non-smokers? Do they not matter? People talk about being 'considerate smokers' but thats just rubbish. If you want to be considerate don't smoke. The majority of people will say 'fine, I don't mind if you smoke', out of kindness while secretely they're wretching inside at the stench.
Originally posted by Pimpf
I don't want some do-gooder telling me what to do with my life. I'll do whatever the fuck I like with my body thanks-very-much.
Here your going off at a tangent. We're talking about banning smoking in public places, restarants and pubs, not banning smoking in general. If people want to smoke that fine, I've no problem with people buggering up their own health, its when they bugger up the health of other people, innocent people, non-smokers, that things have to be done.
Originally posted by Pimpf
the government makes huge amounts of money from smokers. Do you think people with liver problems should not be treated either then, because of excessive drinking?
Quite right.
Originally posted by Pimpf Or people involved in road accidents shouldn't be treated because they were speeding, or driving without a license? If not, what is the difference? All of these involve people making a conscious decision to do something which is potentially detrimental to their health for whatever reasons, so why should they be treated any differently?
The speeding is a good example. I'm sure if I had more time and more intelligence I could make a good response.
Originally posted by Pimpf The day the NHS starts saying 'we`re not going to treat you because of such-and-such' is the day it ceases to be the NHS, in that its supposed to treat anyone, regardless of who they are, what they've done or how much money they have. [/B]
Thats fine. There should be a health care system, but it should be conditional (ie not to smoke etc). I think thats where the NHS is heading anyway.
Melancholy_Flower
06-07-2003, 00:39
It happens smoking in public places is banned in France for about 8 years now and people still smoke...
I don't smoke and have plenty of smoking friends, but in some closed places, it can be very unbearable (I once took a train with a guy smoking fags and spliffs - spelling?? - next to me, and a elderly woman had to move before of the smoke as he refused to open the window :mad: )
Oh and I hate when people smoke in live venues because my hair stinks after...
unwashed and somewhat slightly dazed
06-07-2003, 12:31
The only way you will take my cig away from me is by taking it from my cold dead hands!!
I feel like Charlton Heston now :(
bornagirl76
07-07-2003, 13:13
Originally posted by Pimpf
I think my point still stands that if you go to a pub, you have to expect people smoking
Why? Why should non-smokers have to expect and accept it? I don't see any reasoning behind your point. As Void said, it's not just something non-smokers don't like , it's something that endangers our health. We'd be fucking stupid just to sit back and say, "oh well, it goes with the territory". It shouldn't have to go with the territory. You go in a pub to have a drink. You go into a club or a gig to hear loud music. You don't go into either of those places to inhale another person's smoke and you shouldn't have to.
Laura Claudia
07-07-2003, 14:17
Originally posted by ZeNewie
The only way you will take my cig away from me is by taking it from my cold dead hands!!
I feel like Charlton Heston now :(
Hehehe! ;)
MissHanna
07-07-2003, 22:21
ive said this before on SB.
i sometimes smoke but i never light a cigarette without asking ppl 'do you mind if i smoke'. the only time i dont ask is when im inside a club, cos the ppl around me are smoking and its a smokey place. but if its a pub, bar or just walking around, i will always ask and if someone doesnt like the smoke i wont smoke. simple as
if im at someone house for a party, i will go outside. i wont sit in a kitchen with the door or window open. i will go and stand outside even if it is pissing it down (actually if it is pissing it down i wouldnt smoke :))
what really does my head in is weed smokers who sit in a room and smoke there. they dont have the courtesy to go outside. even if someone said it was ok for me to smoke a cigarette in their house, i still would go outside.
and what really pisses me off is when ppl make a big deal about smokers. and by making a big deal about it i mean over the top waving their hands in front of their faces and doing fake coughs and complainging about not having any fresh air. makes me want to blow smoke in their faces. if ppl have a problem with it, thats fair enough. just dont go over the top about it.
and if you are allergic to tobacco, ppl should have the decency not to smoke around you. if they did, they need a good kicking.
anyway, lower the price of cigarettes, and start the kids off young! thats what i say!
(ppl should consider the 'tone' behind the last comment before anyone kicks off. the phrase 'taking the piss' should spring to mind. you cant be careful these days, when ppl take everything you say on a forum literally :p)
Originally posted by MissHanna
(ppl should consider the 'tone' behind the last comment before anyone kicks off. the phrase 'taking the piss' should spring to mind. you cant be careful these days, when ppl take everything you say on a forum literally :p)
too true m'dear. :)
i think all that you said before that quote was very decent of you, personally I find a lot of smokers to be quite insensitive to the people surrounding them, so that's quite refreshing to hear. :)
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