Smoking ban cop-out

[ratewhore]

lot of stress on the board today...

[Jabberwocky]

The only real way for smokers to relieve stress is to stick a double-barrelled shotgun down their throats and then pull the trigger. What gets me is the lack of consideration of some of them - please tie a plastic bag around your head before doing this, and sit in a large hole in the ground.

[Lucifer Box]

The only real way for smokers to relieve stress is to stick a double-barrelled shotgun down their throats and then pull the trigger. What gets me is the lack of consideration of some of them - please tie a plastic bag around your head before doing this, and sit in a large hole in the ground.

Have a fag and calm down.

[ratewhore]

A most rational and well thought out post Jabberwocky...

[Not So Wise]

Cant be bothered looking again, but the most sensible suggestion I have heard in this whole debate was the idea of a smoking licence.

Ban smoking everywhere except on licenced premises.
There could be all sorts of legislation requirements to gain such a licence.

Actually I as a smoker favor a slightly different version of this, ban smoking in all public places without a licence.
To get a licence you have to conform to certain regulations, aka must provide a non smoking area, make sure the smoking area is well ventilated so forth.

Thus no attempt at a half hearted "prohibition" (what current policy is...and these always fail anyway even if wholehearted) but rather an attempt to make sure everyone has a choice legally and then letting market forces determin how much real choice everyone gets.

[wendigo100]

The last local pub in Edlesborough has got crap ventilation, so I rarely go there now.

I don't mind people smoking, but the air in there is horrible.

[BobTheCrate]

A generous compromise there Not So Wise.

Unfortunately I believe the non smoking fundamentalists will not be satisfied until smoking is banned everywhere, including the privacy of own home.

Before that though alcohol will also be targetted by those who disapprove of it.

Once smoking is banned from everywhere and the Treasury loses 3 times the annual NHS budget in tobacco tax revenues; let's all get ready for a nice big tax hike.

I wonder how much revenue alcohol brings into the Treasury each year ?

What the heck ... banning things is great ! It gives us intolerant zealots something respectable to hide that intolerance behind. Banning people from things is great and so is paying more and more taxes instead.

[Denny]

Banning smoking in public places is as draconian and prejudicial as discriminating against ethnic minorities or other minority groups, which I've always consider to be wrong.

Smokers have become the new 'blacks' of the American Deep South prior to the Civil Rights Movement.

They had to give up their seats to whites on buses, we have to give up our seats to non-smokers or go to a 'smokers' allocated area we're allowed to smoke. What's the difference? There's very little difference between smokers being treated as second class citizens by the majority 'anti-smoking' fascists and asking the average BNP racist supporter what they think about ethnic minorities being allowed to live, work and prosper in this country. Most of them would probably agree that 'back to their own country' is a 'black or asylum seeker designated area.'

That's why non-smokers should already consider that the provisions that are in place are more than adequate as they are.

[BoredBloke]

I used to smoke but do not agree with the ban.

Most surveys show that most people are for the ban and against smoking. If this is the case, then why is there not somebody opening smoke free pubs to cater for that particular market. Surely if the wish to drink in a smoke free environment was so strong then most pubs would be adopting a smoke free policy themselves without the government forcing them to do it.

[privateeye]

I smoke but do so only when not in the company of non-smokers, never in a restaurant, train, or even outside when there are people down wind. When I throw my butt away it is down a drain and not left in the street. I don't get abusive or violent. I never never smoke in anyone's house.

However, how many times do I take a different route to avoid drunks or the puke they leave on the pavement. I don't get caught short and expose myself to passers by of the shop doorway that I use instead. I never hit anyone when I've smoked more than normal or had a stronger brand.

Looking at it another way, it is often said that when invited to dinner you take the host a bottle of wine for example. When I am invited to dinner I make an effort to buy the hosts favourite tipple. When I return the favour and have guests to dinner - they know I don't drink so they bring themselves a bottle of wine. I do not though ban people from taking alcohol in my house but it does highlight the selfishness of drinkers.

Who is the most selfish the drinker or the smoker? Still wish I didn't smoke though but all this talk about forcing me to give up makes it harder to give up as I want to be seen doing it by my choice alone.

Anyway time for a last before I go home