Well done Spain....

[R1Geezer]

http://news.sky.com/s...t_Anti-Cigarette_Laws
How long do you think it will be before this digusting habit is just a comedic note in history? What are the next steps the civilised world must make? Do smokers have an idea how badly they smell?

[ummmm]

Do smokers have an idea how badly they smell? Yes, I think they do.

We still have generations of people cigarettes were advertised to....I'm in my late 30's and I still remember the billboards...and I still remember the double page spread advertising 'silk cut' in magazines. Advertising works...Many smokers are victims of it...

Be disgusted at the smokers who took up the filthy habit after the advertising ban...the ones who got to watch the anti smoking ads.....

Smoke coming out of babies mouths...

Gunk being squeezed out of arteries...

You get my gist....

[naomi24]

I don't smoke, but I have no objection to others smoking and I detest this constant 'holier than thou' claptrap we hear demonising the smoker - more often than not from ex-smokers. Additionally, I can only think what hypocrites the law-makers are. If they were really that concerned, they would ban tobacco products altogether - but they won't will they? They'd lose the revenue!

[ummmm]

Wait now Naomi....the argument that it costs more because of smoking related illnesses will be here soon......

[alexanderd]

I dont see that this is any different to what we have in this country as regards where you can and can not smoke

[naomi24]

Yes ummmm - like smokers haven't paid their way. And don't forget they are often extremely obliging by dying years before non-smokers, thereby saving the NHS and social services billions in care for the elderly.

[R1Geezer]

Oh Naomi, I thought we'd nailed this myth that smoking is a net contributor. Every time this comes up you and others do the tax yada yada yada routine, Still you get the first Blue Geezer Badge of 2011, wear with pride!

[Dris]

Jeez that wasnt half quick -just back from Spain where most bars allowed smoking !!.My O/H smokes but he doesnt smoke either in our home here or in Spain.My auld neighbour who's 86 goes outside- all happed up for a fag -she wouldnt dream of smoking in the house.
i just dont understand why anyone thinks its acceptable in any circumstances to have that foul smell forced on you.Im even thinking of having an antiseptic hand wash at the back door so H doesnt come in reeking of it.
O as an addendum its been banned outside Hospitals for a wee while now in Scotland.

[naomi24]

I've never seen you nail it Geezer - and yada yada yada is no argument.

[seadogg]

As an ex smoker I love the smell in the open air but don't want it in my house.. Everybody has their own tolerance level and I'm not sure legislation is appropriate in all cases, People often do what their peers do anyway. Meanwhile, Spain's economy is heading for the rocks with or without a smoking ban.

[KARL]

Not that I want to get too involved in the debate about smoking except to say i would be happy to see it disappear completely and permanently; my father smoked and in the end its results killed him - I still miss him. But, Naomi, we all realise that smokers are old long before their time and by the time they finally expire prematurely, usually needing years of care before the rest of us get old enough, they have taken out their "investment" in the NHS made through their taxes. Yes, the cost of care is an issue, and we are told theirs is on average higher than the rest of the population. But most of all I find appalling the self inflicted misery that usually results from smoking and to me the tax boost comes at an unacceptable price.

[naomi24]

Karl if the governments really cared about the ill effects of smoking they would ban tobacco products completely - but they don't simply because the revenue outweighs the cost.

[Dris]

Like they've banned booze Naomi?

Seaddogg -just back from Spain and we have a serious vested interest -its looking better than it has -I dont have stats but it certainly showing signs of recovery and that was us out at the 'quiet' time.Fingers crossed.

[naomi24]

As far as I know booze in moderation doesn't have disastrous effects, does it Dris?

[KARL]

Governments (certainly British ones) are bound up by enormous balls of inertia (not least how many votes might be lost) and are most unlikely to take any really bold steps - which banning tobacco would be. Doing so only in the UK or any one country would in all likelihood lead to prohibition levels of smuggling, gangsterism, etc. and, in spite of a ban, cannabis products are consumed in enormous quantities. I think, however, that there are major signs that governments worldwide are feeling uneasy about all substances that are harmful to health, not least if/when used in sufficient quantity. In this country as elsewhere the best hope is almost certainly provided by education, publicity and working toward the use of these things becoming un-cool. The most difficult ones to convince to leave the stuff alone are generally the "saddest" element of society (not necessarily the poorest or least educated), the ones who start for no particular reason except for what basically is foolishness. Without regarding myself as an expert, I find un-banning cannabis and perhaps all narcotics an idea worth considering to cut out the cancer of crime, but the major difficulty I still have with that is how to ensure only those who use them face the consequences. Everyone from immediate family to the whole of society is likely to share the burden - and that's where we came in, is it not ?

[Dris]

Ive witnessed people become raving loonies with what I would consider a moderate drink on board -its mood enhancing properties dont bode well if you're in a foul mood beforehand and take it on an empty stomach.
Anyway -whats the big deal -smoke in your own gaffe if you want -no-one is stopping you just dont inflict it on others.its a no brainer as far as i'm concerned as well as my smoking mates.
O and when I gave up (yip im one of those nasty ex smokers lol) I was so ill I vowed never ever to smoke again -the gunge I spat up for months as my lungs became cleared was sickening and the cough i had with the hairs on my windpipe (which had been destroyed) growing back in was blooming irritating.
Common sense prevails at last.

[oscarina]

There should be a fine for smokers dropping their fag ends on the streets and wherever they like, the pavements and outside the pubs are disgusting with butts everywhere who do they think is going to clean up after them.

[KARL]

Dris, you are not the only witness to the results of "enjoying a drink" as I am sure you realise - it is not a pleasant sight/experience. Although from time to time I drink alcohol in various forms I can honestly say that if biology/chemistry/physics were somehow to change overnight whereby alcohol would suddenly permanently disappear from the universe, I would not miss it one bit.

[Everhelpful]

Well said,naomi,I have never seen or heard of anyone killing somebody after they have been smoking.(Normal Cigs here I am talking about). Now what about the real anti-social menace: Alcohol!! Or is it ok for drunks to vomit,urinate in the street, have an odious smell on their breath,be violent and cause loads of trouble to ordinary Citizens. At least most smokers move to a quiet,out of the way place to smoke!!

[ummmm]

Bingo - Naomi :-)

[naomi24]

Look, the point is smoking is bad for you, as is excessive alcohol and junk food, and none of those things negate the other, but it's complete and utter hypocrisy for governments to create all this sanctimonious legislation while still raking in the lucrative taxes that smokers are charged. It’s dishonest. That’s all I’m saying.