Paul3446

It seems like you will oppose anything that the government bans, regardless of whether it is a good idea. I would rather judge each case on it's merits, if they choose to ban cars I will oppose it. If they ban nice ice cream, I will oppose that too.

OllyK

In general terms yes, it's about freedom of choice.

Paul3446

Are you an anarchist by any chance?

How can you be against anything being banned, by that logic, you surely want anything that is already banned, allowed again? Where do you draw the line I wonder?

Let me start you off with drink driving? By your own argument, then you must be in favour of this being legalised.

Lee247

I agree.

Most pubs I have been in before this "ban" did have a specific area for smokers, consideration for those who chose not to. Seemed to please everyone, but, this government seem to want to control us beyond belief. It will be drinking next, you can see the build up starting now

OllyK

No

That's not what I said.

It's not currently against the law to drive after having consumed alcohol.

OllyK

Exactly, I don't go to the pub very often, but the one I went to had a seprate well ventilated room for smokers. It allows the smokers to smoke without affecting me, a happy compromise.

Paul3446

But drinking more than the legal limit has been banned, so this is an infringement of your freedom of choice. Why shouldn't you be able to drink 5 pints and drive home? It's just one more freedom of choice that's been takenaway from you.

I'd lobby your MP to get the ban lifted if I were you.

OllyK

In neither case has "my" freedom been affected, I don't drink at all and drive and I don't smoke. I think the current drink driving legislation is a reasonable compromise. I think there could have been compromise with the smoking issue. Everything is not black and white.

Paul3446

There is a compromise with the smoking ban, if you want to do it, go outside. If there was no compromise they would have made smoking illegal.

OllyK

You're all black and white again.

Paul3446

I'm sorry, but the law states you can smoke absolutely anywhere in the country, as long as you are not endangering the health of others.

Is that not a fair compromise, or were you thinking along the lines of perhaps only endangering the health of people who earn less than a certain amount?

OllyK

No it doesn't. Read it again. There are plenty of places where a smoker all on their own, cannot smoke. Indeed, the smokers at work now can't use the smoking shelter outside as it's more than 55% enclosed

What are you on about?

Paul3446

Sorry I thought you wanted a compromise, along the lines of you can smoke in certain places that still endanger other people's health?

Anyway, going home now, byeeee!

OllyK

Where did I state that?

I cited the example where the pub I occasionally frequent has / had a separate well ventilated room for smoking in. Would it have been so hard to allow pubs to provide such a facility if they so wish and those that don't or can't are then smokefree?

Why do outisde smoking shelters have to be less than 55% enclosed, why not make smoking shelters exempt, they are there for 1 purpose only.

scoobynutta555

Off down to the pub later. First time since the ban.

Read a few interesting facts today:

estimated cost to NHS for smoking £2bn
profit to treasury from tobacco taxes £9bn

Cue all those who want to have a 'clean smelling shirt' after a night out now moaning how much taxes have gone up on petrol and booze to compensate.

The way to go should have been to let some pubs and clubs have a 'smoking licence' much in the same way they have drinks licences now. To ban it everywhere and ban a third of the population indulging in a previously legal pleasure in a public place smacks of nannyism.

They are now on about banning it in parks and any council land. As I've said before, cave in to high profile pressure groups that have personal agendas and spread lies and propaganda to further their cause and you'll find many things in the future banned. I see a total smoking ban in the same light as local councils needlessley cutting speed limits on their major roads. They're just following some doctrine from nannying 'banning' pressure groups.

Can't wait for those with a fat grin on their face with this ban suddenly realising what a mess this nannying state is when their pleasurable habit is banned.

PeteBrant

Assuming everyone stops (which they obviously won;t) It amounts to 34p per day (or £125 a year) for every man woman and child to cover the £7 billion deficit that would create.


In other words - it's bugger all in relative terms.

lestippp

Its funny because I didn't realise that banning smoking in pubs / clubs, etc meant that all smokers were going to stop over night and so lose the government £9b in taxes and people aren't going to stop dying, because of smoking, overnight!

Smokers can still smoke in plenty of other locations, including outside (and let's face outside is pretty big ). On another point why do smokers or pro-smokers keep harping on about drinkers... you're all moaning about it being banned in pubs.... so why are you there then.... for the nice decor'

It's not a big deal, you just pop out the front or side and have a ***, job done, fresh air inside, everybody happy

Dracoro

I'm happy to allow smoking in pubs (as an example) one one condition:
I can throw beer over anyone who blows smoke over me.

After all, what's the difference?

OllyK

And if they are safetly tucked away in a smoking room, what's the chance of that happening?

skoobidude

I'd swap the smoking ban in pubs for kids under 18 being banned. Can't stand little ****s running around screaming.

Nick

PS I don't smoke

Simon 69

It isnt about removing peoples 'rights' ffs. What 'right' do feeble addicted smokers have inflicting their foul vile poisonous filth on others?

Dracoro

Actually, the completely separate(and I mean separate closed room that you don't have to walk through to get to toilets, bar, exit etc.) room I don't have a problem with although it's impractical to implement due to most pubs being open plan.

hoskib

iTrader: (1)

bad for me, the boss now walks past my bench every 15mins and stands in the doorway keeping an eye on my workrate was so much better when i was tucked away round the corner and he couldn't see me from the office

luckily we get on so we just talk about golf all day at the moment it's just a laugh, took the **** saying i can't see him standing out there in horizontal snow in an arctic blast can't even build a hut as you can't have sides on your smoking area

i do think it's a bit overkill and although it's a blanket ban at the mo i think it'll have revisions added to the law in time. talking to the smokers in the foundry and breathing in the crap they do, smoking is the least of their worries!

simpsons !

So if i have my maths are right about your birthday you started smoking at about 40? Did you not know the dangers?

OllyK

A couple of stud walls in a corner, no big deal.

j4ckos mate

i was out on sat night in manchester and i thought it was great, no more smelly clothes

Norman D. Landing

Yes. Drinking, then going out pissed up and driving/fighting/stealing to pay for drugs. Not to mention the fact that a large portion of the NHS's costs are to pay for drinking related diseases.

It's drinking next, you can be sure of that.

Leslie

As an ex smoker, and I know they are the worst!, but I have to admit that it is a selfish thing to do indoors especially when you are trying to eat a meal.

You cannot deny that it is an anti social occupation and neither can we be surprised at the ban. It is a lot fairer on those who cannot escape it due to their occupation for a start.

Les

lestippp

At last the honest truth from an ex addict , well done mate and a fine comment to end the discussion on.

Les ( A different one)

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

Exactly that's why a COMPROMISE would have been to ban it where food is served or where children are present.

Under the new law, a self employed sole operating plumber can't smoke in his own van because it is a workplace and he might harm the employee (i.e. himself) stupidity

Also one industry that has suffered is bingo. People will take their pint outside and keep drinking while they have a ***. They can't do that with things like bingo so they just don't go (and i know some will snigger but it is a massive industry)

alcohol, motorsports etc have to be next. As for the "it's only 125 quid a year each" to cover the tax argument - i'm not sure when i last heard a tax rise met with applause. Obviously some won't pay at all either and some will pay less and at the end of the day everyone is still going to get ill and die so the bills to the NHS will be the same no matter what.

5t.