Irish and Scots, what is your experience/opinion of the smoking ban?

Question

Has it encouraged people to give up? Or not?

Answer 1

It has its advantages and disadvantages. Yes, you don't go home stinking of *** reek, but you do end up v cold every time you have to go outside. I like the social aspect tho, you get to meet sooo many new people that you wouldn't have spoken to if you were sitting with your own friends.
I'm off to Amsterdam in three and a half weeks for a warm smoke. And I've been to Newcastle and Durham since the smoking ban happened, just for a smoke in a pub!!

Answer 2

I am from California not Europe however I can tell you what happened in California. I was a heavy smoker until 1991 when I quit. Best thing I ever did in my life. When California (the first place in the world) started clamping down on public smoking, the restaurants bars etc. cried and cried and cried that their business would be hurt. Guess what? It worked and it has been wonderful. We now have fewer smokers and being able to breath in public with out having to put up with other peoples poison is fantastic. I dislike govt. control, but this one was needed. I have had several loved ones die of cancer and have learned you cannot rationalize anything with a smoker. It is like asking a heroin addict politley to not shoot up. These laws must be enforced to protect others. Get your smelly poisonious cigarettes away from me.

Answer 3

I love it! Dont personally know if it has encouraged people to give up! But not being stuck in a smokey pub is lovely!! Your clothes and hair dont stink when you go home and there isnt a risk of getting burnt in the arm or wherever anymore!! Come on the smoking ban!

Answer 4

i dont think it will encourage peopl to give up, but i do think it will stop people from starting, i smoke myself and i tottaly agree with the ban, going outside for a smoke is ok, even tho it rains constontly lol but you meet all kinds of people when you go for one, it brings us all together like a united force the smokers!!!!!

i do however love going to england and being able to smoke in a pub it feels great after so long!!!!

but its a good idea to stop this and it has made no difference to how busy the pubs are i thought it would but it didnt !

Answer 5

I'm Irish, some of the bars and pubs have build really good smoking areas on to their premises with heaters etc.
Some non smokers have taken up smoking too as they go outside to join the smokers not to feel left out!

Answer 6

I never used to smoke after stopping for three years but I have now started again as my friends go out of the pub to smoke and its a bit dull sitting on my own waiting for them, so I smoke more and think its another silly Law

Answer 7

New Zealand here, we have been smoke free in bars and clubs/restaurants for a couple of years now and it is great. no more smelly clothes and dry eyes, but the down side is that now we smell the body odour of the clubbers... damn.

people moaned for a few months, but the transition was welcomed by both smokers and non smokers. was a great idea.

a lot of people have reduced their smoking, and the rest just go for a walk.

Answer 8

Non-smokers seem to be delighted, unless their partners choose to go out therefore leaving them alone. as per other answerer, pubs are lot cleaner smelling and food tastes better. For smokers hasn't done any harm, seems to be more sociable meeting in central location and moaning about the smoking ban lol!

Answer 9

I hate it!!! All the pubs now smell of sweat and p!ss as they dont have the smoke to mask the smell! U spend most of ur night outside in the pissing rain and downing ur drinks so that u can go outside to have a f*g- I think it's rather extreme!

Answer 10

It hasnt encouraged me or anyone I know to give up. Either they stand outside places and smoke anyway or dont go out any more.