Smoking Poll

[EternalOptimist]

I think the results would be interesting if certain pubs (say 1/3 of the pubs in a town) permitted smoking. The fact that they were smoking pubs would be well-publicised to protect non-smokers from an accidental whiff of burning tobacco. Non-smoking pubs would not even permit smoking outside for the same reason.

Now - of the smoking/non-smoking pubs who will still be in business in 12 months time?

As a hardened pub goer (non smoker) I have been researching this close up for the last year, I have a theory. There is a 'critical mass' point , and if the number of customers falls below it, the place is seen as 'dead', and the causal drinkers will avoid it.
I have no idea where the crowds of casual drinkers are going instead. staying at home probably

[Gonzo]

Smokers ignore the risks of smoking and so they do for passive smoking. As an ex smokers you start to actually understand and face these risks and start reading about. If smokers were not that addicted to such drug they would understand that passive smoking in a closed place is much worse than active smoking. A pity that it is quite common that smokers close their eyes on all information about smoking.

If you take the "Health Police" role on smoking, then surely you can't overlook the health issues caused by vehicle exhaust fumes?

Here's one Australian debate that I found, it is not great but it was the first example I found after two seconds of researching.
http://sa.democrats.org.au/parlt/p1/980804_b.htm

So my question is, are those that are so keen on stopping other people from smoking because it is a health hazard prepared to give up driving their car if vehicle fumes are also shown to be hazardous to health?

[Jog On]

Gave up when I was 29 - apparently if you give up before 30 then the damage is reversable.

I'm very glad it's banned in pubs etc now, I choose not to smoke passively or actively

Although it's annoying having to hold one's breath walking in and out of pubs where people are all crowding around smoking.

[Francko]

A PRIVATE BUSINESS IS NOT A PUBLIC PLACE.[/SIZE] It is a property in which the owner CHOOSES TO INVITE (not forces) people to enter and purchase whatever services the owner is offering.

Mitch, I guess there is no reason to shout.

True, it's people choice to go to pubs or restaurant so they can't complain if they choose to go knowing the risks.

I had also a lot of no-smokers friend who went to pubs with me and they had to accept all this passive smoking which is obviously no good for them. I know that as a smoker it sounds like a big loss not smoking in a pub. However, if you notice with the time more and more places have been accepted as not good places to smoke. 20 years ago it was fine to smoke in the house, in the train station, in the airplane, in the toilets, in trains, and so on... all places where it was clear that it was no good to smoke. If you honestly think about it you cannot say that a closed room (especially pubs in London that are usually small) is a good place to smoke. You have to accept the idea and think rationally.

[EternalOptimist]

. You have to accept the idea and think rationally.

even if these place close down as a result ?

[Cyberman]

Diverting the topic, as I said would happen, the smoking ban is closing the traditional pubs at an alarming rate, leaving only the souless theme bars to thrive. All these 'smoke free' extra drinkers didn't materialise. As usual in this country those most vociferous about smoking in pubs never actually wanted to go.

The price of beer and high taxes is closing pubs, not lack of smoking. People simply do not have the disposable income to waste in pubs after council tax has risen over 100% under Labour, and petrol, NI and income tax(via not raising bands in line with inflation) have also risen in bounds.

[BlightyBoy]

Mitch, I guess there is no reason to shout.

True, it's people choice to go to pubs or restaurant so they can't complain if they choose to go knowing the risks.

I had also a lot of no-smokers friend who went to pubs with me and they had to accept all this passive smoking which is obviously no good for them. I know that as a smoker it sounds like a big loss not smoking in a pub. However, if you notice with the time more and more places have been accepted as not good places to smoke. 20 years ago it was fine to smoke in the house, in the train station, in the airplane, in the toilets, in trains, and so on... all places where it was clear that it was no good to smoke. If you honestly think about it you cannot say that a closed room (especially pubs in London that are usually small) is a good place to smoke. You have to accept the idea and think rationally.

I don't believe that Mich is saying that. I believe what Mich is saying is that no-one is actually being forced to smoke or not-smoke, rather that the decision to do either is based, and should remain, on free-will.

As a smoker, I have the same choices (only in reverse) as non-smokers. I can choose to enter a place where smoking is not permitted (and therefore suffer with no ciggies) in the same way that a non-smoker can choose to enter a place where smoking is permited and suffer cigarettes.

The point being choice.

[BlightyBoy]

The price of beer and high taxes is closing pubs, not lack of smoking. People simply do not have the disposable income to waste in pubs after council tax has risen over 100% under Labour, and petrol, NI and income tax(via not raising bands in line with inflation) have also risen in bounds.

Plus they can no longer remortgage, or release "equity" in, their properties to be even able to afford a packet of cigarettes!

[Foxy Moron]

The price of beer and high taxes is closing pubs, not lack of smoking. People simply do not have the disposable income to waste in pubs after council tax has risen over 100% under Labour, and petrol, NI and income tax(via not raising bands in line with inflation) have also risen in bounds.

They have added to it, but it's not the main message I'm getting from the pub Landlords I know.

[Doggy Styles]

The price of beer and high taxes is closing pubs, not lack of smoking. People simply do not have the disposable income to waste in pubs after council tax has risen over 100% under Labour, and petrol, NI and income tax(via not raising bands in line with inflation) have also risen in bounds.

And don't forget the effect of drink-driving laws. Gone are the days when a bunch of people could decide on the spur of the moment to drive three miles down the road, all have a few pints, and drive back.

Nowadays someone has got to be the "designated driver" and sit there looking glum all night, or try to make out they are enjoying themselves. Or they have to organise and pay for taxis to the pub. Or they don't bother.