Smoking in restaurants

[delilahcat]

There's a question below asking about smoking, in which an ABer says there's no demand for non-smoking restaurants. Please will everyone give their view on whether they would like a ban on smoking in enclosed public places, particularly in restaurants?

[fibifooz]

I went out with a friend of mine last week, and had to take a shower and wash my clothes before I went to bed as I was smelling so badly of smoke, now she's asked me to go again next week and even though I enjoyed myself, I just don't fancy having to do that every time I go out. So I would vote to ban it in all public places. Have you ever spoken to someone face to face after they've just had a cigarette? - disgusting!!

[Bob A Job]

100% agree with full ban on smoking in public places.

Also i am an ex-smoker (30 per day) and an ex-pub/restaurant manager (7 years in the trade). So i think i can make the comment without being soley on one side of the fence.

[landie]

Yes please, the sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. I gave up smoking 30 years ago and, I'm ashamed to say didn't think twice about the needs of others, I guess if you're a smoker you don't. Now that the health risks are fairly well documented, I say ban it in all public places.

[Gef]

Hi delilah, so I'm self-delusional am I? Perhaps you will start yet another thread now. I have no problem with non-smoking restaurants (see my answer to your last thread). However, if a restaurant or pub owner wants to let customers smoke then that should be up to them. As a non-smoker you do not have to frequent restaurants which allow smoking. Personally I would like to walk along the street without breathing in the obnoxious exhaust fumes of cars, buses etc but realise that I have no chance of winning against the selfish drivers that pollute our cities.

[brawburd]

full ban.

[jridgeback]

Ban it ! Ban it ! Ban it ! Smoking should only be allowed in your own home - nowhere else !

[delilahcat]

Hi Gef,

16 out of 18 people who have replied to my question have expressed a preference for a ban on smoking in public places, particularly restaurants. I'm sorry if you don't like it but that's the majority view. For you to say that there's no demand for non-smoking restaurants is therefore patently absurd.

By the way, this is the one and only question I have ever asked on Answer Bank, so references to me setting up 'yet another thread' and referring to your answer to 'my last thread' are incorrect.

I apologise,though, for calling you self-delusional.

[delilahcat]

17 out of 19.

[Sasha13]

I am a smoker myself, and am all for banning smoking in set areas of pubs because it's smelly and unpleasant for non smokers. But did any of you know that, statistically, you are apparently (according to the author Bill Bryson) more likely to catch cancer through eating a pork chop once a week than you are through passive smoking? I too think that the 'passive smoking' card is played a lot, and while I respect the wishes of non smokers to have a smoke free area in a restaurant, I feel that my wishes should be respected too if I want to enjoy a cigarette after a meal. Also, I'm afraid that I have little sympathy for bar workers who undertake a job knowing that it will involve working in a smoky atmosphere and then complain like mad about it. Lastly, if the government bans smoking in pubs that serve food, a lot of them will simply stop serving food as they make more money out of smokers than they do diners - this also speaking from the experience of having lived in a pub for nearly two years.

[Bob A Job]

Actually sasha13, From the evidence in Ireland after their ban on smoking in pubs, takings suffered an initial drop but quickly rose to levels higher than before! as non smokers began to visit pubs more often.

The profit margin on food and level of extra trade it developes, no landlord in his right mind would stop serving food.

[Artful]

What a lot of twaddle - it's about time that people realised the world is made up of all sorts: non-smokers and smokers, animal lovers and non-...; loud-music listeners; bawling babies in public places. Talking about that, I agree with bruce5755 and his post about children in pubs and then with Gef and car fumes. But what is this about banning? Live and let live but this FORBIDDING doing something that is legal (smoking is not a capital offence if in a smoking zone, kids in pubs are not breaking laws if the landlord allows it), ask for tolerance both ways and others might tolerate, not guaranteed but worth a try. Personally if I am taken to a non-smoker restaurant I don't stay - what is this that people can tell me what or what not to do. Isn't life hard enough without your neighbour deciding for you. Right I'll stop now, oh! and I think I'll have a ciggy. Anyone got a light, please? 

[funkychicken]

definately ban it, if people want a cigarette after their meal they can go outside and smoke.

[Sasha13]

Bob a Job - Sorry but I personally know several landlords who would drop serving food like a shot if it were a choice between that and smoking - perhaps we are thinking of different types of pubs? I agree that there are "food led" pubs that have more to gain by still serving food rather than dropping it - however many city and town centre pubs simply do not make enough money from food to consider serving food rather than smokers. There is a demand for non smoking pubs I agree, but likewise there will always be a demand for pubs that you can go into and enjoy a cigarette with your drink. My point is that why should my rights as a smoker be put below those of a non smoker when surely there is a compromise?

[Gilli]

Another vote for non smoking restaurants.

Even when there's smoking tables, in some places, the reality is that the difference between "smoking" and "non-smoking" areas amounts to a couple of feet ! .... and of course, smoke can drift a lot further than that.

I not only hate the smell, it makes me feel quite sick too .....

[Artful]

I see somebody has reported my answer and the only reason I can think of is the word 'twa**le' (don't want to be reported again!) - I was referring not to the ? but the chatch. I was asked for my view, I gave it.

[EssJay1]

What are the stastics for death, heart disease, lung disease and circulation problems caused by the carcinogens in traffic fumes and the carcinogens in cigarettes then, Gef?

[FP]

How can you see someone has reported your answer, Artful?  I can't see when someone has reported mine.

[Artful]

In that case, FP, I must be mistaken.

[Artful]

Yes, plz excuse me everybody I was far too quick off the mark.