Does anybody think that in a country that abhorrs discrimination...?

Question

its alright to discriminate against smokers. After all some of the older people who smoke started when the government and medical peeps said it was good for stress! I find myself more and more staying in because most pubs and restaurants have no smoking or a tiny smelly cubicle. I'm not saying smoking is right or that others should be made to breathe our smoke but doesn't this also take away our freedom to choose?? Please don't jump on me...! Its only a question.....

Answer 1

yes bring back the smoking room it's a legal product

Answer 2

A lot of good points already, but still got to answer this one, probably just by agreeing or disagreeing with those above me, but a subject close to my heart. Yes, I'm a smoker as well by the way, not that it would change my views anyway. I agree that pubs/bars/restaurants should be able to decide whether to allow smoking or not. Simple really, everyone can choose whether they want to go to a smoking or non smoking place. I also believe that we have the right to smoke, and I don't care particularly if you find it smelly or offensive. I find some people smelly and offensive, what should we do, imprison them? As for health risks, we're the ones who are smoking, the passive smoking you endure has already been filtered by our lungs anyway, and though it's still not good, tough sh*t! At least, that's how I'm going to feel until the government starts tackling serious health risks. Try walking round any city at rush hour, breathing in all those car fumes, yuck! Non smokers, we'll stop when you give up your cars! And the amount of sh*t that big industry pumps into the air, our rivers and drinking water, the amount of chemicals that get shoved in our food in order to maximise profits and so on, really, smoking is NOT a big deal at all. Sympathy must go to the infirm though, asthma sufferers and the like, but most decent people (and some smokers are actually decent people y'know!) would refrain from lighting up in the presence of such a sufferer, I know I would, even in my own home. And you also made a good point, lots of people smoke because government and medical peeps did indeed almost encourage it, not to mention the advertising campaigns. Of course, smoking isn't healthy, but neither are thousands of other things that noone seems to give a toss about, so why pick on smokers? Easy target, that's why, who needs cigarettes, but oh, we do really need our 4x4s to take the kids to school in the morning. Oh, and "allegedly" abhors discrimination would have been better!

Answer 3

Being an ex smoker who gave up after 16 years (yes i fit into the criteria ex smokers are the worst), I believe that it has turned around, where it used to be if you don't like the smell go outside to non smokers. I can actually go out and enjoy a meal without someone lighting up while i am still eating. As for the right to choose you can choose to smoke that is not affected it just means that places where people gather are not affected by it.
When i did smoke i never smoked in my house because i did not want to make it smell or affect my family. I think it is a good thing that smoking is restricted in some places. but then as i said i am an ex smoker and the worst kind to answer this. but hey such is life. Restricting something that can kill you is not a bad thing if you choose to ignore the facts that is your right.


sorry if it sounds abit preachy tried not to

Answer 4

I'm a non-smoker myself...and smoking is something I absolutely hate. However, I agree with you. People should be allowed to smoke if they choose to. I think the government needs to find some other way of ensuring the health of children and non-smokers without compromising their freedom of choice. Extra provision of specific smoking areas would be a step in the right direction, because then any non-smokers in the area would be there of their own choice and couldn't complain about being forced to passively smoke. To be honest my only problem is when people come up to me in bus queues and immediately light up, then proceed to spend the next five minutes blowing smoke into my face, i'm not saying all smokers are like this, most people I know that smoke are very respectful of non-smokers. However idiots like this give smoking a serious image of smokers having no respect for non-smokers around them, if people like this would sort themselves out then I imagine there would be less support for the smoking ban.

Answer 5

Ahhhh, it is only a question, but such an inflamitory one! I was a smoker for more years than I care to mention, and I can say they have a right not to breathe the smoke, and smokers have a right to do it. I for one don't see why we cannot have clubs, restaurants, etc for smokers only, the same way we have totally non-smoking establishments. They did try that in Chicago, but the non-smoking advocates had a fit about how it was discriminating against them...go figure.

Answer 6

This is not a discrimination issue in the same way that ethnicity or religion is as somebody being Muslim/black/French/Jewish etc etc does not in itself harm anyone else. This is why smokers are being penalised -not because of the fact that they choose to ingest a toxin, but because by doing so they force others into doing so also. The side effect to this is the hope that less people will start smoking as it becomes less pleasant to be a smoker - and whatever your stance on smoking, it is universally acknowledged that it is very bad for your health.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, smoking is extremely unhealthy and it stinks (you said it yourself, one small, smelly room). I understand it's an addiction like any other, but I certainly do not wish to be sharing the smoke or the smell.

By the way, I wouldn't jump on you for your views; I ceased to be a smoker about 15 years ago so am aware of the need for a 'fix' when addicted, but I was always considerate of others and would never impose my habit on anyone who objected.

Sorry, forgot to add - I agree with the government banning smoking in workplaces etc to protect public health, but see nothing wrong in having places reserved for smokers - then both smokers and non-smokers would have the choice of whether to use them or not.

Answer 8

No I don't think its OK have felt like a leper for months now I smoke and have had to endure the cold get hypothermia and all sorts of discrimination I live in Scotland getting forced into stopping have no choice don't think I can bear another winter.... when it comes to England we shall see you know I also have rights if you don't want to be in my company that's OK you can walk away but if your screaming kids are in a pub (its ok to have your kids in a pub whats that telling them ok to be an alky ) what rights do I have big O hate do gooders especially the ones with the people carriers polluting the atmoshere using up more of the planets resources than me people have being smoking for hundreds of years think they are hiding the true facts under a smoke screen

Answer 9

To a certain extent I agree with you. But as a non-smoker, I haven't been able to visit a pub for years! It affects my asthma and irritates my eyes so that they stream uncontrollaby.
I've known since the 70's that smoking is bad for you. It's just never appealed to me. My mother gave up smoking in the 60's, as did my father. So we've known for a very long time that it isn't good for you.
I do wonder how come it's got to this state. That people would rather stand outside in the cold than give up smoking?
I'm not particularly strong on this - I actually like the smell of cigarettes, in moderation. But I am glad to be able to live some sort of social life and enjoy a drink in a pub. Sorry.
So no one's taking away your right to choose - you do choose to smoke. But you have to make the decision - is it worth it?

Answer 10

i am a non smoker myself but i believe that smokers should be entitled to smoke if they want to, just as long as it doesn't harm other people, particuarly those who could be easily susceptible to smoke and are passive smokers.

as i said many times before, smoking is a bad habit that costs a lot of money, in addition to lives and yet it is a personal choice. if you choose to smoke then i have no problem with that. i won't force you not to do something that you are entitled in doing. what i don't want to do however is being forced to try something that i have no interest in taking up and of which it will end up killing me by continuing to smoke.

but i do symphathise with you smokers- even though the ones who have quit the habit are ones i have even more admiration towards.

Answer 11

yeah they have changed the laws about smoking in pubs and restaurants here too, I can handle the restaurants, but now I would rather drink at home or a friends house than go to a pub and smoke on the street.

Imagine what the tourists will think ~ 'oh they have many prostitutes, look at all the women in miniskirts smoking on the street corner!'