General Chat

Bob I have been in pubs where the bar staff have come from behind the bar so that they could have a ciggy (they couldnt smoke behind the bar ) so not all bar staff are non-smokers. Maddy

Danger Mouse,,,I agree,,, the pubs in Ireland that provided a seperate smoking area were far popular than the ones that didnt, Unfortunalty,,,my husband smokes so i am hoping that this will encourage him to cut down, When we were in the pubs in Ireland he was far less likely to leave me sat alone while he went out for a tab,

Bob, while working in Reading, I found a nice cafe that had smoking areas and non smoking, the only problem was that NON smokers took up all of the seats in the smoking area, leaving loads of seats in the NON smoking area free, then went on to complain about the smoke, my response was if you don't like it sit in your own area, not ours, so it works both ways don't knock smokers for the hell of it, most are considerate of non smokers, but we have to put up with abuse from SOME non smokers. Bev

Bev, that's a fudge! Many pubs have only one or two rooms and it's not possible. Also it doesn't protect staff who have to go in there. My experience is that smokers try to ignore such divisione ( 'Oh sorry I didn't realise' ) Many Pubs and Clubs already have 'no smoking at the bar' rules but the smokers think it doesn't apply to them. The rules have to be clear Bob

The government as usual have tried to do the right thing, but didn't put enough thought into it, Non smokers do deserve to be able to go out and enjoy a social night with friends, and return home still with the smell of their purfume/aftershave, but smokers also have a right to go out and socialise in the same way, and go back home smelling of their cigaretts, what should have been made law is pubs provide a suitable smoking area with good extraction, where smoke won't invade the space of non smokers, that way we would all be happy. Bev

To me this is really good news. I don't like going out to pubs and places where smoking is allowed and so don't tend to get out much. For me it isn't just the health concerns, it makes me feel horrible (almost contaminated) - it makes me bungs up my nose, makes me cough, gives me a sore throat, makes my clothes and even my hair smell vile and it dries up my contact lenses and makes my eyes sore! I don't think that I should have to put up with someone elses bad habbit - I don't make other people put up with mine. Kaye x

As an asthmatic, I welcome this. Fantastic. x

All this talk of protecting Non-Smokers!!!!! Im a non-smoker, I have friends who smoke, I really think we are missing a point here, we are being dictated to by the government. forget about the dangers of smoking for a minute, I do not like to be wrapped in cotton wool and told 'were protecting you' its not what I want thank you!! I would have felt happier if this had been a vote by the people!

Hasnt the Bill been formed so it protects the non smokers? Its not preventing people from smoking,,,you will just have to go elsewhere to do it,

My husband reckons I've been shouting a lot more but can't say I've noticed! Has told me to light a fag up a couple of times - don't think he quite understands the situation!

lmao at Meercat - I wonder if they've thought of all the violence it could bring? Debby

In Australia they started with smoking and non smoking areas inside and out. That was a long time ago now as well. Then it moved to anywhere food was served. From there it was all inside venues, transport etc Now it includes many outside places as well. This does of course vary from state to state. However in NSW some local councils I think it is have been able to enforce smoking bans on beaches as well. I'm not sure if anything else has now been included. The reasoning behind this was; 1. Anywhere that was a confined space (ie no fresh air) it was argued that why should non smokers be constantly exposed to a smoke filled environment. 2. Why should other patrons also have to be exposed to smoke, when they are out to enjoy themselves. 3. In the outside areas like beaches where the smoking has been band, it was cleaners I think who complained about having to pick up so many butts. I know when I was in the Navy, if there was and emu parade(rubish pick up) non smokers weren't required to pick up smoking butts, I think that's it's discusting the thought of picking up something that has been in somebody elses mouth. One of the other departments when I was in the Navy gave all their non smokers an early mark one friday and all smokers had to stay back till knock off to make up for the time spent outside smoking. I have heard of that happening elsewhere. It may not seem fair to smokers, but then it's not fair to those that don't smoke either if they have to put up with it. Discrimination can be used on so many fronts and I think people today are getting too picky, and irrisponsible. Gypsy Joe

pmsl at Meercat

Reading this thread is interesting and only proves what was said on another thread on this board. When people's ADDICTION is challenged, in comes comparisons with asbestos, alcohol etc etc. as a smokescreen (excuse that!!) As for the argument that a 'drink and a ciggie go hand in hand' times have changed. There's a lot we used to do as a matter of course that we don't now. It's not about 'rights' its about health and common sense. 5 years from now we'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Roy (3 months and one week free of ciggies)

I agree with Speedy, there should be a room in a pub for smokers (that has no connection with the rooms for non-smokers ) as non-smokers have the rights to breathe clean air.However,smokers have rights too,and I would be the first to acknowledge that. Everyone has a point of view and is entitled to air that view without all this spiteful and (in some cases ) sanctimonious mud slinging. I can understand the gloating attitude from someone too young to know better,but come on ,the rest of us should have a little milk of human kindness,lets live and let live.From what I have seen the smokers are willing to accept (gracefully) the ruling so why all this nastiness? Maddy

I am witness first hand to the dangers of smoking. I lost my mum to lung cancer at 38 and my stepmum at 69 from Emphysema which WAS caused by smoking. Non smokers go into pubs and clubs, these are not proclaimed as smoking clubs, these clubs are meant for all. These are venues for all, its unpleasant for those who are non smokers as they are either forced to leave, or forced to inhale harmful unpleasant smoke . A pub/club for all, should be so for all, It should be comfortable for all, after all the non smoking members wont make it unpleasent for the smokers to sit in the same room , whilst non smokers have to put up with smoke and have no choice, apart from sitting in a gas mask. So it should be a comfortable environment for ALL. How about an asthmatic ? They cant enjoy a drink (a drink not a boozing session) in a smoke filled place can they ?...why ?...because smoking affects breathing and makes people ill You can choose to go into a pub and drink soft drinks all night, but you cant choose not to inhale he fag smog from several people. A moderate drinker will not harm anyone, the beer fumes will not cause ill health to another person in the room. A smoker will pollute their lungs and pollute the innocent bystanders with their smoke. I rarely drink, maybe the odd glass of wine at Xmas birthday or social occasion, or a glass of baileys. Tighter restrictions in Harlow (where I live) on drinking in public places such as shop hatches are coming in. Too right too ! But the drink debate shouldn't me mixed up with the smoking debate or used as an excuse that smoking is better than drinking. I notice whenever a smoking debate comes onto the board, others bring up that drinking/drugs/etc are worse than smoking, as if smoking does less harm The truth is it doesnt do less harm, its equally to blame for ill health and deaths. But that is another debate. Many of us non smokers are opposed to drunks ruining lives, of themselves and others. .Heavy drinking and bad behavior /alcoholics/drink driving and the consequences are a separate and important issue. I despise both. Drunks behavior can be controlled by the staff of the venue, if someone has had too much and is misbehaving,let the bouncers chuck them out.. Even non smokers would welcome that The subject boiled down is passive smoking in a venue by those who have no choice other than to leave. Whilst the smokers can enjoy themselves in the venue, but occasionally will have to light up outside. (if they can do it at work, have a fag break, they can do it in a pub) Elaine x

Naughty Mandy! This thread is about the effects of passive smoking, not industry, lolol!!! (Aren't exhaust fumes awful though??!) Bev x

Surely the subject of this thread was the smoking ban, nothing whatsoever to do with alcohol. In answer to Jo in Kent's remark about the GR meets. The only thing that has spoilt them for me is the inhalation of other people's smoke. In answer to the fact that the non smokers there must be tolerant. We didn't have a choice as te meets always go to the smoking area. The best one I went to was at a Garden Centre (Webbs of Wychebold), when the smokers had to go outside to smoke. Maybe what the government loses on the taxes will be made up by what it saves on treating smoking relaated diseases on the NHS. Ann Glos

I see your point Bob, but personally, I consider excessive alcohol consumption to be far more damaging to families, to the community and the individual than smoking, unpleasant though that is. It is obviously far more difficult to legislate against excessive drinking. Bev x PS I don't smoke

Bev / Gwynne those acts are illegal and rightly so. That some people commit some crimes does not mean we should not legislate ALSO on smoking, come on, be sensible. The point is that there is no such thing as 'passive drinking'. That is the point that the tobacco addicts can't seem to grasp. Even the heroine addict doesn't inject others Are you saying we should not control asbestos, it's iin the same class? There is no point in this, all smokers do is change the subject. The argument has been won Bob