England goes smoke-free

[Abigail]

I don't have to explain my reasons for smoking to anyone.

Hmmm, lets look at this from a different angle. We've all justified our reasons for the smoking ban (read back through the thread if you don't accept that). What are your reasons? So far, you have failed to come up with a reason to support your 'right' to smoke, except that it's in your 'human rights.' People (especially Alan) are getting wound up and angry because they have been affected in some way by ignorant smokers who can't see what harm they are causing to themselves and others. And you seem to be one of those.

Nobody is against what you are saying, everyone is just annoyed that you can't justify your actions when all of us on here have. You can't enter a debate and say "This is what I think, I don't care what you lot have to say, I don't have to justify myself to anyone."


RE your grandma: there's a good reason why the surgeons won't operate. Its difficult to ventilate a smoker during surgery, especially if they have been smoking for years and have lung damage. Would you turn round and sue the doctors when your grandma dies from respiratory problems during surgery?

RE the accident: a doctor's main priority is to assess the situation and decide what treatment is required (including surgery). I'm sure if someone was dying in A&E the doctor wouldn't stop to ask if he was a smoker. You're just being pedantic now.

[alan45]

I don't have to explain my reasons for smoking to anyone.

People (especially Alan) are getting wound up and angry because they have been affected in some way by ignorant smokers who can't see what harm they are causing to themselves and others. And you seem to be one of those.

Im angry yes. Wound up no.

[crystalsea]

Thought I'd move the talks on to other aspects of the knock-on effect of the smoking ban:

Okay so its smoke free in enclosed spaces - but what makes me laugh is all the propaganda about the ban will make people give up smoking, but really this will only effect those who really want to give up and this will aid them because they won't need to stay away from those places assuming of course that they broke the association between drink and smoking.

It won't stop more people from not smoking in the future because teenagers will see more smoking out in the street, outside in pub gardens, anywhere else you can think of etc. etc. etc., which of course will seem pretty cool for example, a network of people bonding outside for a smoke.

My only other real concern is will it drive more smoking around children in the home, because its not the effects of the smoking on their minds but I won't go to the pub because its raining, so I'll have a drink and a smoke indoors. (I might add here that I am not a parent - incase this causes an issue on this forum)

As it happens apart from the platform at the station, the ban hasn't effected my smoking at all. A number of my friends don't smoke, so I usually go outside for a smoke if we go out; I am past the clubbing stage, the resturants around my way had been non-smoking for many years. And being a dog owner, am quite used to smoking in all weathers, rain, snow, hail etc. I am probably not the only one either.

So out of interest and debate, has anyone got any other points to add both for and against my own personal viewpoint.

[Abigail]

Okay so its smoke free in enclosed spaces - but what makes me laugh is all the propaganda about the ban will make people give up smoking, but really this will only effect those who really want to give up and this will aid them because they won't need to stay away from those places assuming of course that they broke the association between drink and smoking.

It won't stop more people from not smoking in the future because teenagers will see more smoking out in the street, outside in pub gardens, anywhere else you can think of etc. etc. etc., which of course will seem pretty cool for example, a network of people bonding outside for a smoke.

Maybe the inconvenience of having to go stand outside in all weathers may make people consider giving up. I know if I smoked I would consider it easier to give up completely rather than having to go outside away from friends/family for a smoke.

On the teenagers front - a lot of teenagers see smoking as cool and most who smoke have their first fag at school (you only have to stand outside the school gates to see little year 7's having a sneaky fag before they go home) so I'm not convinced that it will encourage youngsters to smoke. I do agree with you about the bonding thing though. The smokers can all stand outside in the rain moaning about how they should be allowed to smoke where they want.

If its good enough for Ireland its good enough for England

[Trinity]

I live in Scotland where we have had a ban on smoking in enclosed public places since March 2006.

I find it much more pleasent to visit pubs and resturants now, and I am grateful not to have to wait ages for a 'non-smoking' table as in the past.

I don't smoke and neither do any of my family, friends or colleagues. I read a couple of days ago that 1/3 of the UK adult population smoke. Not in my vicinity they don't - for which I am grateful, cigarette smoke used to induce my asthma.

The only smokers I see are the ones that stand outside the pubs, shopping centres etc. It is horrible having to pass them and their stinking smoke.

[alan45]

I live in Scotland where we have had a ban on smoking in enclosed public places since March 2006.

My wife and I are regular visitors to Scotland. The village pub we tend to call our local was always full of smokers. This didnt matter whether there were children in the pub or not. These were regular customers who we had known for years. They almost seemed to chain smoke lighting fag after fag. I remember saying that if they can make the ban work here it will work anywhere. We have been back numerous times since (Roll on August ) and the same regulars are at the bar. They go outside for their fag and back in for their Pint of Belhaven Best. What we have noticed though is they do not seem to smoke as much as they used to. It used to be two fags per pint now its two pints per fag

[Jojo]

Im not sure quite what you are saying, but every one is entitled to an opinion....I am not jumping on any bandwagon here....I have my own mind and opinion on the subject, thank you.

I have merely been responding to the comments of others, in a discussion forum.

No need for the thank you at the end of that cheers PB. I'm not a child and don't need to be spoken to like one.

General remark now: the question of this poll was, do you think the smoking ban is a good or bad thing - SarahW gave her opinion, in the thread, that she thought it was a bad thing. I was merely commenting on the fact that at the time of posting this, 5 people (not including myself as I have still absteined from voting) have voted its a bad thing, yet only Sarah had given her reasons why. And following on from that, a few members (and I'm not mentioning names, having a go at anyone, infringing on peoples human rights to reply or anything else here, so this post is not to be taken as such) have quoted every reply, thanked each others posts etc and yes that is allowed, but for me, to read these responses and comments, read it like bullying. People don't agree - thats fair enough, we are ALL human, we ALL have our opinions on things, as I've previously said, if we all think the same, life would be very very boring, but at the same time, aren't we allowed to respect each others opinions also?

The question was, is it a good thing or a bad thing, not is smoking good for you or bad for you. We ALL know, including smokers, that smoking causes lung cancer and many other fatal illnesses, to those who smoke and those who don't. No one has ever questioned that fact.

I have seen and am experiencing seeing close friends and family with cancer (my great uncle is terminal and waiting for the white light as we speak, and a very close friend is currently deciding whether or not to carry on with treatment, having been told that this time (the third), its no longer working. She is mid 30's, has two young children, is teetotal and has never smoked.) so I don't need to be told what the effects of smoking are (and neither of these examples I have given you ever smoked btw), but I still see both sides of whether or not the ban is a good or bad thing.

As an employer, we have been told that if any of our employees are caught smoking by officials, on our premises, even after we have told them that they aren't to smoke either on the premises or within any work vehicles, WE, the company will be fined £2,000 whilst our employee will be fined £50. Is this fair on us, when we have an unmanned workshop and my husband and I aren't there 24/7 keeping watch on what our employee is doing?!

Like I say, I am not going to get embroiled in an argument about whether or not smoking is good or bad for you, or whether any other pollutants in the world cause death or whatever. But when you know that people are scared to post their opinion in this thread, for fear of what is going to be asked/thrown or whatever at them, just because their opinion differs from another, is very very sad.

[.:SpIcYsPy:.]

I think it's a good thing for myself and my health (never touched a cig. and never want to )but I do think that it's bad for the smokers who have to stand outside and smoke in such bad weather and have no will (thats the word right?..) to quit. You can't blame them everyone's different but I do also think that's bad too because even though smokers are outside you could be still be breathing in other smoker's smoke as you pass them. This sort of makes it how it was before.

I voted 'yes' because afterall it's my health and I'm not seen much outside and more inside most the time anyways!

[alan45]

I think it's a good thing for myself and my health (never touched a cig. and never want to )but I do think that it's bad for the smokers who have to stand outside and smoke in such bad weather and have no will (thats the word right?..) to quit.

Thats too bad for the smokers but if they make the choice to continue poisoning themselves what harm will a bit of rain do them or cold or snow or minus 10 temperatures. Flu and pneumonia have a cure Lung Cancer is normally FATAL

[.:SpIcYsPy:.]

Hmm good point, obviously didn't think of it like that.