UK ban on smoking in public

chris100575 · 4th December 2006, 00:51

I was wondering how you all (in the UK anyway!) feel about the ban on smoking in enclosed public places which will come into force on the 1st of July?

Personally I'm really looking forward to it. I've just come back from the pub, stuck my clothes in the wash, and am probably going to end up having a shower before I go to bed because I smell. It's probably a given that other non-smokers are in favour, but how do those of you that do smoke feel about it? Will having to stand in a windswept carpark encourage you to quit, or do you feel that it's you right to smoke and that you're being hard done by?

Chris

Guy N. Heels · 5th December 2006, 01:04

Boy, you sure know how to kick over a can of worms!
I never realized what a terribly filthy habit smoking is until I gave it up (about 30 years back). Then I found out I was actually eating a bunch of things I really didn't like. But it only took about 5 years for my sense of taste and smell to recover.

Recently several local governments in this area have banned smoking in public places. But, believe it or not, the restaurants where smoking was once permitted still stink almost as badly as if they were still doing it. Needless to say, I find I still can't really enjoy my food in such a place. But short of tearing the joint down and rebuilding, I have no idea what can be done.
Yeah, the smokers around here really feel put-upon

, but they have no idea what it is they're really doing.

Lindsay · 7th December 2006, 22:52

As a non-smoker (I gave up about 8 years ago), I wish there was no smoking in public places and in restaurants/cafes.

Smoking isn't a right. No-one was born smoking, therefore it's something you choose to do, and as such should be kept to yourself.

Ozzard · 7th December 2006, 23:07

In the Libertarian tradition, I say that people should be able to do what they like. This includes smoking in public places. *However*, liberty cuts both ways. If someone elects to smoke near me (I happen to dislike it), I should be able to elect to express my dislike, to leave, to drench them with a fire extinguisher or whatever else I wish. And they should be able to respond in kind.

I dislike smoking venues, to the extent that I'm persona non grata in one band because I'm not willing to go to the rather smoky pub in which the others practise. I would very much prefer all venues to be non-smoking. But I refuse to back the ban, as I believe it's up to the individual rather than any larger grouping.

Guy N. Heels · 8th December 2006, 01:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzard

In the Libertarian tradition, I say that people should be able to do what they like. This includes smoking in public places. *However*, liberty cuts both ways. If someone elects to smoke near me (I happen to dislike it), I should be able to elect to express my dislike, to leave, to drench them with a fire extinguisher or whatever else I wish. And they should be able to respond in kind.

I dislike smoking venues, to the extent that I'm persona non grata in one band because I'm not willing to go to the rather smoky pub in which the others practise. I would very much prefer all venues to be non-smoking. But I refuse to back the ban, as I believe it's up to the individual rather than any larger grouping.

Unhh! Maybe you'd better hold off on that fire bottle thing, unless you want to be persona-non-walking.

Ozzard · 10th December 2006, 21:55

"Maybe you'd better hold off on that fire bottle thing, unless you want to be persona-non-walking."

Exactly. But that should be up to *me*, not my dear Guv'mint, to decide.

Skirted-UK · 11th December 2006, 00:31

I can't wait for it to come into force! I stopped going to pubs and eating in restaurants about 15 years ago because of the smoke. What settled it for me was when I took the wife out for an expensive meal and someone lit up a cigar on the next table. I just except now that pubs and restaurants are for people who smoke. I voted with my feet.

chris100575 · 11th December 2006, 23:12

The problem is that if the government hadn't have intervened only smokers would have had the choice. Having a smoking section in a pub / restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.

As a lifelong non-smoker I rather resent the fact that until then, I only have a right not to smoke if I don't go to the pub.

Chris

Guy N. Heels · 16th December 2006, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris100575

The problem is that if the government hadn't have intervened only smokers would have had the choice. Having a smoking section in a pub / restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.
As a lifelong non-smoker I rather resent the fact that until then, I only have a right not to smoke if I don't go to the pub.
Chris

WELL SAID!

One smoker is all that's required to polute an otherwise smoke free environment. No individual should have so much power over others.

chris100575 · 17th December 2006, 03:27

Well, the way I see it is this: smokers have a habit, they smoke. The byproduct of their habit is smoke, which gets into my hair (if I didn't shave it off), clothes, eyes and lungs. I too have a habit, I drink. The byproduct of my habit is urine. So how would they feel if I stood on the table and pissed all over them?

Chris