What does everyone really think about Pubs going no smoking?

Answer 1

A smoking ban in pubs might have the same effect here in UK as it has in Ireland. I have read in the papers that one action resulting from the smoking ban (in pubs) is that fewer people now go to pubs in Dublin and the sales of Guinness are down by some 15 - 20%. What people, especially young men, seem to be doing instead, is going to the offie and buying a bunch of 6 packs and then going to a friends house to booze it up and smoke. The pubs, while not exactly empty are not the social centres they once were. I read an article in the Time about a year ago when New York bars went smoke free. The Times sent one of their journalists over to NYC to have a look and report back on what effect it was having. The journalist described bars he remembers being packed as now being empty and some even contemplating closing down.

Smoking levels in the population at large, say around 25% have nothing to do with the pub-going population where smoking is roughly 40 - 45% or even higher.

Back in Ireland a couple of years ago, I read of one hotel which lost almost one million pounds worth of custom due entirely to the smoking ban. Two companies had booked the hotel at different times for their respective AGMs. The first of these was BUPA - when it was told of the smoking ban it told the hotel that 40% of its HQ staff smoked and they would therefore cancel. Likewise the bosses of Mercedes Benz also cancelled for the same reason.

There is no smoking ban in Germany or France, yet anyway. So if your planning a big gathering, do it there.

Answer 2

It's the one place where it should be allowed. The passive smoking argument is bogus. They could also improve ventilation. At the very least they should allow pub owners to decide for themselves whether to allow it. What the hell are smokers supposed to do. The minute they step outside their door they can't smoke anywhere. I bet most of those whinging control freaks hardly ever go in pubs. It isn't their sort who have kept pubs going all these years. Smokers pay a lot of extra tax; they supposedly don't live as long, so they will save on pension costs. Lets face it, you have to die of something, and you can only die once. The anti-smoking zealots should watch out because they may want to ban something that they enjoy doing. It will serve you right for being such intolerant control freaks. I have always found that people who enjoy a pint and and a cigar are much more sociable than the miseries who are obsessed with their own health. It is called socialising, get it! I think fussy women started this ball rolling a long time ago; but it has now gathered delicate men to its cause.

Answer 3

As i live in Scotland the smoking ban has already been in place for a year its alright in the summer and a lot of pubs have built their own shelters and some have even added outside heaters but when your in a nightclub and cant get your jacket from the cloakroom when you need a ciggie and you have to stand in the pouring rain(snow in Scotland's case) its terrible. I think smokers should have the right to smoke indoors and pubs should be made put in air ventilation systems i don't know it this happens in England but if you have anyone from the council ie a repair man coming to your home your not allowed to smoke in your home for 2 hours previous i mean what do you pay your rent for you would think smokers had leprosy the way people act

Answer 4

The single most civilised thing the government has done!!
At last, no more clothing reaking of stale smoke, no more red rimmed eyes from a smokey atmosphere, no more having one's meal ruined by thoughless people lighting up at the end of _their_ meal, but while your meal is still in progress, no more being at risk from accidentally started fires, elimination of the foul smell that greets one's nose on entering a place where smoking is allowed - oh, and freedom from secondary smoking....
As far as the effect on trade is concerned, a recent report from Scotland showed that pub use had actually increased. A similar result from Ireland. There are many smokers who actually prefer the non smoking venues, and of course, the non smokers who previously would not go into a 'smoking pub', now go there. It's a winning move.

Answer 5

Well, I think those decisions should be made by local communities. I would not be in favor of state or federal regulations in this area. Many of the social problems we have today are caused by people trying to force their values on others. I believe that personal life-style decision should be left up to local communities. Then if I wanted to smoke in a pub (and I don't smoke by the way) then I could patronize or even move to a community that I share the same values with. It is unrealistic and probably detrimental to try and force a homogeneous value system on a country as diverse as the USA. However, that is not stopping the far right or the far left from trying to use force (government regulation) to legislate their values on the whole country.

Answer 6

I agree with the idea but I think they need to compensate the smokers somehow. In Sweden all of the pubs have outside areas for smokers but they aren't cold or wet. They are all sheltered and heated so it is still a comfortable area to drink and eat at.

If the government paid the pubs to have this, then more pubs could survive. But the government would never be as nice as that!!

Answer 7

it happened up here in aberdeen and there was no problem.a few wingers came out of the wood work saying that they would stay at home which would effect pub trade but thats sh1te.in fact the pubs clubs etc are just as busy and its created a new culture of people standing outside talking to people who they might otherwise never meet.for non smokers its amazing the difference.im an ex smoker and the difference is noticable in the air quality in places.ya clothes dont stink either.
people always moan cos its a good excuse to feel important for 5 mins but its no prob really.

Answer 8

cannot wait to be able to sit in a pub without some inconsiderate toss pot smoking all over me, as for the "the pubs will be empty" what ya chat about? people will still wanna drink, in summer time they can sit outside, and no doubt will smoke outside when they need one

Answer 9

Bad for business. I was recently in Minneapolis where it is no smoking in the bars. At any given time most of the patrons were outside smoking. The owner said his sales are down. Also the gutter and sidewalk were covered in cigarette butts. It should be the choice of the owner to have smoking or not.

Answer 10

I think it is just another attempt to make sure we all OBEY THE MASTERS - By the time we manage to rid ourselves of this government we will be rationed as to how far we can drive, how much we can drink, our freedom is steadily being taken from us and we are all going to pay dearly for our mistakes, including what kind or rubbish we can dispose of. We used to be able to have a bonfire for a lot of rubbish - now that is not possible. I could go on and on. I really think last century was preferable, even with the wars. !