Smoking in public places....

[Loosehead]

It now seems that the debate is about a total ban or a ban in places where food is sold. Personally I prefer the total ban as per Ireland, otherwise it's open to abuse, what do others think?

[january_bug]

I'm all for a total ban.  And I'm a smoker! 

However, I'd like to see small smoking rooms available, or, if we're to be banished outside, then at least patio heaters in the winter.  After all, if I'm going to the pub to spend money there, I'd like not to be treated like a leper!

[brassmonkey]

I like to see Alcohol and cigarettes banned,  and cannabis legalised.  Seriously!!  3/4 of all casualty admissions are due to drink.  Instead of fighting,  people would just be sitting around talking about philosophy instead.  No more rowdiness,  we'd have lower taxes due to less NHS spending,  owners of 24hr garages and foodstores would be delighted,  and no more drunk drivers to contend with. 

[january_bug]

Based on that arguement alone, it sounds a great plan.  I think the cannabis debate is an interesting one, worthy perhaps of its own thread. 

[Elfin]

Totally agree Brassmonkey. I smoke and would gladly support a complete ban if they would also do society the greatest favour of all by banning alcohol completely.  It's the most disgusting, costly and socially damaging habit of all.

As long as people are allowed to drink alcohol, then smokers should be allowed to smoke. As for cannabis, well it's preferable to alcohol anyday.

[georgit79]

I wouldn't favour cannabis over alcohol. Cannabis makes me feel really sick, and alcohol makes me feel lovely!

[maggie01]

the difference is Elfin. When someone drinks unless they are aggresive it does not affect anyone else. If you are a non smoker. You are breathing in someone elses smoke and your clothes reak of it. I did try to smoke when I was a younger because everyone else did but hated it and I still hate the smell now. When you go to a restaurant it seems that smokers get a better part of the restaurant, making non smokers feel they are lepers. If they banned smoking in all public places you would have all the butts thrown on the pavement. Sorry but I hate it. BAN IT!  I say.

[january_bug]

Smoking is a problem per se. 

Alcohol is not a problem per se.  Under-age drinking and people who can't hold their drink are a problem. 

Banning drinking, like banning smoking everywhere as opposed to just in public places, will only push it underground and make the problem worse. 

Smoking should not be illegal.  Inflicting ones smoke on others, should be.  But there is a clear cut difference. 

[Loosehead]

Well looks like the dope heads have hijacked the discussion. Smoking dope and tobacco usually amount to the same thing, it's usually mixed with tobacco right? So we still have to inhale your fumes and I would not wish to add the highly addictive, brain frying cannibis to the mix ok. Now I'm not saying booze is any safer or better but I don't go around the pub with my pint forcing it down other peoples throats, that's the big difference. Now if you want to fit an air tight smoke hood and therefore get the full "benefit" of your 103 carcinagens then great just don't expect me to filter it through my lungs for you.

[Elfin]

I beg to differ maggie01. How about the following non-aggressive, but nevertheless offensive, alcohol-related behaviour:

Overconfident loud inane conversation/remarks, vomit on the streets, a range of "accidental" breakages, endless ear-splitting rounds of "Here we go..." etc.  Additionally, when your loved one rolls in drunk you can also expect irrational behaviour, inability to drive/look after the kids/speak/urinate in the toilet provided and a range of other faux pas that will be expected to be repeatedly forgiven on the basis of having "had a few".   Ho ho.  And all in the comfort of your own home.

Interesting that as a non-smoker, you feel that you are treated like a leper in restaurants though.  It seem that everyone feels hard done by!

[WaldoMcFroog]

Given that it is not illegal to smoke, I can't understand why it is not a matter for individual restaurant/ pub owners. If they wish to allow smokers, they should be allowed to do so, and clearly indicate this is the case on the door. The law should waive the rights of smokers to hold either the establishment or other patrons responsible should they develop any illness as a result of their exposure to smoke. . I also believe that workers should be informed of the potential dangers then allowed to make the decision to work in a smoky environment if they choose.

This gives both smokers and non-smokers the necessary information to decide whether they want to use/ work in the facility

Should entrepreneurs discover their business is being affected by their decision, they would be able to change.

[dribfunk]

Being a non-smoker I found it refreshing to go out in Dublin for a night and come back smelling of just stale beer and sweat on my clothes.

Take those off, a quick shower and in the morning there's no smell of rancid tobacco or that dreadful passive smokers cough.

However, banning it may well produce tax budget problems which means they'd have to find the income from other sources.  Maybe petrol, maybe income tax.

What they should do is legalise both prostitution and cannabis, but have it regulated.  Once it's regulated, not only is it safer but it can be taxed.

The policing of drug/driving would be a huge issue, though.

[rogerthomas]

Smokers, in general, tend to be a selfish lot when it comes to inflicting their habit on those of us who would rather not inhale their noxious smoke.

Personally, I like to masturbate frequently, but realise that other people would rather I didn't do it around them, so I only do it at home.

Maybe if smokers adopted the same considerate attitude, we wouldn't need a ban in the first place.

[maggie01]

I gree with you elfin, I only meant some people who drink just get a bit merry but there are also the mouthy ones as well but that usually turns in to violence which is what I said.

[AngelofDeath]

Total ban.

[Buddy]

My husband works in Eire.He smokes and everyone adheres to it.Almost like second nature - like converting to the Euros.

You almost forget what it was like to smoke in public and deal in punts.

[Buddy]

Sorry forgot to add I dont smoke and when he comes home although he much more considerate I cough and splutter for days after he has gone back.Just a little addendum from someone who has been stopped fro 3 yrs and throat lungs are now getting back to working order and are sensitive.Passive smoking does exist.I am not a former smoker preacher - I never smoked in public places anyway - odd one in the pub - had too much consideration for non-smokers.Probably cos I wouldnt smoke or allow anyone to smoke in front of my babies.(Didnt smoke when I was pregnant either) 

[Oneeyedvic]

I'm with Waldo - businesses should have a choice.

If you want to go into a restaurant which allows smoking, then go.

 

Interesting that a couple of weeks ago, Weatherspoons announced that there was a drop in sales of the pubs which had banned smoking.

Is everyone going to be happy when they put the price of beer / meals up as they are losing trade?

Have given up smoking 18 months now. Don't care if people smoke or not. Yes, I have come back stinking of stale smoke, but I have a washing machine (quite a new fangled invention) and amazingly, when I out the clothes in there, and bring them back out, they don't smell.

Technology is wonderful isn't it!

[Chapel]

Can I just make a slight clarification - smoking isn't banned in public in Ireland, just in places of work. This naturally includes pubs and restaurants.

It's for the protection of workers, and works incredibly well - no one complains, even smokers!

[PurpleLinzi]

WOW, no-one in this thread knows what they're talking about