Alcohol costs this country more than smoking?

[10ClarionSt]

I make no apology for raising this issue yet again, but the smoking ban is totally unnecessary. Passive smoking never harmed anyone, let alone killed them. There is no proof. If there was proof, it would appear on death certificates as a contributary cause of death. Please don't quote Roy Castle again. He presumed he caught lung cancer through passive smoking and everyone believed him. But he had no proof. Don't direct me to web sites and studies. They might be evidence but they are not proof. Where is the proof? For all the problems caused by smoking, multiply them by ten for alcohol. When did you ever know anyone pull a sickie cos they had a couple of cigs too many the night before? Town centre violence. Is that caused by smoking? Domestic violence. Is that caused by smoking? Death by drunken driving. Is that caused by smoking? The cost to the NHS of alcohol related problems is ten-fold compared to smoking. This is a victory for the nanny state and the self-righteous whingers.

[Ethel]

Smoking has obviously addled your brain. You have not been banned from smoking. You can smoke as much as you like.

Keep smoking. The government needs your taxes.

Just don't do it any where near me.

And stop whinging.

[stokeace]

well the law is the law and you know what that is on all the smokers who have made us non smokers lives a misery..........................tough.live with it.

[radiogaga]

lets just hope stokeace dosen't bump into any asian's who smoke eh?

[Ethel]

I have seen far too many old (and not so old) people with emphysema literally gasping on a cigarette to have any empathy for the rights of smokers.

I have Reynauds from smoking, there is a possibility of amputation in the near future - due to my smoking.

If I had not stopped smoking in 1994 there is no doubt my health would be in a much worse condition than it is.

In the course of my business I have had to arrange the funerals of more than 15 people over the years who have died because of house fires caused by smoking. Some of these were young children.

I also had to arrange the funerals of a three young adults killed in a car accident - because the driver dropped his cigarette and lost control of the car.

Comparing alcohol to smoking is a pointless exercise.

[radiogaga]

the smoking ban has been in scotland for over 1 year now.
you adapt or you stop.
the air in clubs pubs is much purer
it is much more pleasant environment to be in (clean air pubs)
on the other hand smokers gather outside, huddling from the wind/rain puffing away, crap weather, good chat. but you certainly feel like an outsider

[stokeace]

lol radiogaga loved your post pmsl.......very good.

[radiogaga]

looking for proof?
place a non smoker in a room with a smoker and wait.
an hour or two later the non smoker will wheeze and cough as the second hand smoke will have irritated their throat, nostrils and most probably made their eyes water.
if this isn't proof what is it?

[radiogaga]

yes i do smoke.

[Ethel]

Thanks 10Clarion, for your good wishes.

But I will now be able to go into my local pub. Hurrah!

I'll raise a glass to your good health. :)

[radiogaga]

good laugh with the other non smokers outside, but the thing thats all on everyones minds id to smoke that cigarette as fast as then get back inside, bar or club for a seat and a heat.
friends who do not smoke arent as keen to come outside to stand with you while you smoke, chance's are you may lose your seat, coat etc

[stokeace]

of course passive smoking is lethal how many babies are born ill through their irresponsible mothers smoking?tomorrow cant come soon enough.and clarionstreet there is no one worse than a person who has got nicotine withdrawal so how can you say that domestic violence etc,etc is only caused by alcohol?

[radiogaga]

yes v true.

[shaneystar2]

My Dad was a really heavy smoker .He was married to my mother( a non smoker ) for fifty years and she must have been a passive smoker . He died of lung cancer caused by asbestos dust.. not smoking . She died aged 92 of nothing more than old age having breathed his smoke in for fifty years .
My brothers and sister were all smokers ..I was a smoker .We are all reformed now except that my sister died from a heart attack -...yes ..probably caused by smoking !
One brother worked alongside my dad with this lethal asbestos ...he is now chugging towards eighty and is quite healthy and a reformed smoker .It doesn't always follow The smoking ban is a good idea though .The smokers have provisions made for them ,mostly ,and the non smokers are happy .It's worked in other places ..why shouldn't it work here .

[horsestache1]

Bring on the smoking ban. I can't wait for tomorrow, as I sit here somking. Why???? because I'm giving up tomorrow, I;ve got my patches and my willpower, but the ban will help me no end. I don't want to stand alone outside a pub, |' don't want to stand in the street outside my office, looking like a castaway. I'm giving up.

NOTE I did not say I'm trying to give up. I said I AM GIVEING UP.

As for passive smoking, yes I believe it is harmful to others who work in an environment where they are subjected to the constant breathing of others peoples smoke, but so are all people in cities who are subjected to the pollution of cars, and the hazards of daily living. Dose'nt make smoking right.

Smoking cannot be compared to alcohol or heroin, each DRUG is different.. Antibiotics treat bactiria, Morphine (heroin) is a pain killer, tobacco...................................

Just costs money.

I'm a non smoker from tomorrow........

[radiogaga]

well best of luck
. i'll be attempting the same. alan carr's easyway book is v good, a few members of my family were able to stop with the aid of this book, i aim to do the same.