General Chat

I agree. I keep trying to stop smoking and it is the going out to smokey pubs that gets me started again every time. I see someone else puffing away and I want one. That said I'll probably end up stood outside with the other smokers lol. As for banning alcohol - NO WAY!!!!! Jack x

NO. Jean.

Hear Hear Harry - ever the voice of reason. Jacqui

When cigarettes cause a fifth of the amount of death;injury; crime and vandalism;traffic accidents;family breaks up; addiction; et al as alcohol, I would support a complete ban on cigarettes. As a non-smoker, some action was doubtless necessary, but methinks there has been a slight over - re-action. Happy days

Just want to clarify my previous comment (as it seems to have been misunderstood). As much as I dislike smoking, I'm NOT iadvocating a total ban on smoking, as it's impractical, but I am 100% in favour of the ban in public places. I'm CERTAINLY not in favour of a ban on alcohol. It does irritate me immensely when drinkers are sterotyped as drunkards and drink drivers. I drink, but drink responsibly. My drinking has never harmed anyone else. However, I have been forced to sit and breath in other peoples smoke countless times, which is proven health risk.

As an Ex smoker of 60/day I am convinced that they should be classified as drugs. Kicking the habit totally took me approx two year. By this I mean that the initial craving for a smoke after breakfast or after a decent evening meal with friends was often still with me for up to 18 to 22 months after my last cigarette. WALTER

I have to say I was pleased when I heard they were banning it - if it stops teenagers smoking or even starting then it will have been worth it. Like Allen Carr says it's the only thing he can think of that you wish you were doing it when you're not and you wish you weren't doing it when you are! It is addictive and i find all governments have been hypocrites on this subject all along but I have to say the NHS are being very generous in trying to help people stop. Yes it is difficult but not half as difficult as I expected and in a funny sort of way I think I'm disappointed that is hasn't been harder! Debby

Of course people don't do crime when they can't get their nicotine fix - the point is that in terms of the ADDICTION, nicotine is harder to break than heroin.

I actually said its more addictive than heroin, And it is! I know it hasent the same stigma attached or the violence, but its a drug the same as alcohol is a drug. more violence is caused through the drinking of alcohol than anything else, yet its 100% legal.

I am a halfie-halfie smoker meaning that I am attempting to give up. However, I am quite happy about the new ruling about not smoking in public places. I accept that. As for them being a drug andf addictive - yes that too I accept - otherwise it wouldn't be so damned hard to give up. But as for making it an illegal drug and being as bad as heroin then sorry I don't agree. When you compare the two I must ask the question - apart from burglary in general - how many people go out and commit violent crimes, use guns etc. to finance their ciggie craving as against those who do such things to finance their heroin fixes ?

Glad you said that Paul. Alcohol is also a drug and should be banned too! They're always harping on about ciggies, but the only time they go on about alcohol is Christmas (drink-driving). At least ciggies don't make people do murders and mow folk down with a car. They're even allowing pubs to open 24 hrs a day now, so much for deterring folk from drinking!

I agree with Debby totally. I stopped in October using patches (now off the patches!) because my health was suffering and I felt like a leper. My GP's surgery was more than happy to support me and I only paid the prescription cost. I think it's cheaper for the NHS to do this than the cost of treatingpeople with smoking related illnesses. The ban isn't about targetting individuals and it isn't about peoples 'rights'. It's about the health of the nation, making things better for our children and grandchildren. The ban starts here in Scotland on 26th March and I can't wait. I do not want to be skulking in doorways ashamed of my habit. People who are complaining about it need to bear in mind it's not them talking it's their addiction.

Jeanette Yes it is a bargain I agree and it does depend on which doctor you go to. I suppose it encourages people to stop and they see the savings immediately which gives them a boost to carry on! Debby

Debby You get a ruddy bargain there then! I pay the £6.50 prescription charge for only a fortnights worth. Even if you can't get patches on prescription, it's still a darn sight cheaper to buy the patches than fags!

Meercat You only pay the prescription price for the patches - £6.50 for 4 weeks supply - in a chemist they would cost you £64! I'm on week 7 now and one of the reasons I stopped was because I knew this would happen and I was sick of feeling like a leper! Debby

Nicotine patches cost about £17.00 for a weeks supply If you smoke 20 cigs a day, that's £35 a week. It's half the price to be a non-smoker that it is to be a smoker, so I doubt the nhs will be giving out free patches. Tobacco is a very addictive drug and I wish I'd never seen a cigarette in my life............I want one sooooooooooo much sometimes! lol

Perhaps an answer would be to allow smokers to continue buying cigarettes, perhaps by a voucher system or something, but stop the sale of cigarettes otherwise, thus making it impossible for anyone to actually start smoking. But that would only work as long as the young (or not so young!) don't then see cigarettes as a 'forbidden fruit', which would allow a black market cigarette industry to build up. Then we'd end up with illegal cigarette dealers in the same way as we have drug dealers! And of course, it would all cost a fortune to initiate. Bev x

paul, Yes!!I would:-))

Roxanne, would you advocate a ban on alcohol too then ?

Nell, They would have to find something else to tax,thats my point! I just find it totally wrong that they wont ban The sale of cigarettes but will make life uncomfortable for those who are addicted. Fact-cigarettes are more addictive than heroin. In my opinion that means they shouldent be sold. Im sure that if all smokers in the country gave up the government would be running around wondering where to put the extra taxes.:-))