General Chat

It wouldn't be fair for me to vote either way on this because these days I rarely go into pubs except the ones that have a restaurant and there, there are facilities for both smokers and non smokers. june xx

Bob, I think that a woman or child getting beaten up by a drunken partner or father and a drunken driver killing god-knows-how-many people on his way home from the pub COULD be seen as the unhealthy effects of drinking on innocent people. Personally, I'd rather share a room with a smoker any day. Bev x

This bill has not been introduced to stop people smoking, its purpose is 1. To protect the Health and Safety of those at work 2. To protect others from the effects of second hand smoke. That it may encourage people to stop smoking is a side benefit. There are no direct passive effects from alcohol Bob

As a non-smoker I am pleased, but I do feel that its the pubs themselves, (or rather the amount of alcohol consumed in them, which seems to be excessive these days!) that causes far more social and health problems than cigarettes! Can't see the Government doing anything about that though, seeing as they are all rather partial to a drop of the hard stuff themselves, lol! Bev x

The idea behind the ban is for everybodys health and the amount of revenue lost from tobacco sales is supposed to be outweighed by not so many patients being treated for smoke related deceases

Wonderful news. I have been in Ireland where smoking is banned from bars , Lots of the bars provide a covered area outside and some even have heaters for the colder weather,,,Perhaps , building and accessibilty permitting,,,some of the bars here will do the same,

Joe in Kent Well said!!

Watch your taxes go up people

about time too! As the only non smoker in my family, and with several friends that smoke it is a nightmare if you want to have a night out together. I understand that it's free choice to smoke, but what about my right to not breathe in second hand smoke and to go home without my clothes stinking to high heaven after a night out? I don't agree with a ban in the home or on the street, but i am really pleased that things will be nicer for social events in future. After all a smoker can always go outside when they want to smoke. Not ideal for them maybe, but surely a fairer system than we currently have. Yvette

I think for every smoker who gives up going to the pub there will be a non smoker who returns Ann Glos

Christine, Where on earth do you live that you think one day you will go out of your front door and breath clean air. The only way that can be achieved is a total ban on cars, lorries, factories, bon fires, etc., etc. Agreed you have the right to breath clean air when you are in a pub, theatre, cinema etc. and looks like from next summer you will ge that right. Jean x.

Personally I think it will shut a lot of drinking establishments down. If you are a smoker a drink and a cig go hand-in-hand, so if you can't smoke you will not go out.

Joe Maddy last night comented on that about the tax's raised by smokers, and where the short fall will come from, I think the non smokers and the smokers will pay, and yes we will all pay for the smokers, so love us or hate us, the government get a hefty tax from us. Bev

If so many people quit smoking as a result,of this Bill then the Treasury is going to lose millions - possibly billions of £££ in taxes - and when new or higher taxes are introduced to make good the shortfall - let's see who squeals first ! I am a smoker and usually confine my habit to the confines of my home or the homes of other smokers. I don't smoke and drive, usually. The only time that I go anywhere outside the family is when there are G R Meets and I have found that most of the others attending appear to smoke too (or, at least, those who do not must be tolerant) - so what will happen at those Meets from hereon ? This Bill will not stop people smoking wherever they are able, the only way that smoking can be terminated for good is by closing the factories !

Christine - you are so right! Hope things improve for you now. Allie

No supprise I am a smoker, BUT and it is a big but, I won't have smoking in the house, I have a safe covered area for smoking in the bad weather, and the back garden in the good weather, and I am one who is cutting down with a view to stopping, so far I have got from 60 a day down to some where between 7-10 a day, so the smoking ban will help, but I still worry about the young who think it won't happen to me, so as you can see, slag me off, think I am being melodramatic, what ever, but I am worried for the young/foolish, and it can't happen to me people. Bev

Agree with you Roxanne. The smoking ban has worked well in Ireland - pubs are not going out of business and the end of the world did not happen! This might encourage MORE people ( like us) to go down the pub! Allie

Well it looks as if its In so theres no use in complaining about it. I for one dont smoke so it wont make any difference to me personally, on a positive note it could help people to stop:-))

People will just stop going to the pubs and buy booze for home . Sue

Thank you Shelli, it is good to know that you as a non smoker has not got a blinkered view. Bev