Smoking be banned across EU?

Question

Do you think Europe should become a smoke-free zone?

The EU's health chief has raised the prospect of introducing legislation banning smoking in public places across all member states.

A ban on smoking in offices, hospitals, schools and shops comes into force in France from Thursday. French bars, nightclubs and restaurants have a year to adapt to the law.

Ireland was the first EU country to ban smoking in indoor public spaces. Scotland banned smoking in public places last year while England will follow in July. Italy, Sweden, and Malta already have partial bans which allow smoking in closed-off areas.

Should there be an EU-wide ban on smoking in public places?

Shoud any venues, such as bars and nightclubs, be exempt from smoking bans?

Have you been affected by a smoking ban in your country?

Answer 1

I've never smoked and I hate smoky pubs and restaurants; but I also dislike loud music, gassy beer, slot machines and TVs in pubs; that doesn't mean they should be banned. Everyone knows that smoking is bad, addictive and unhealthy, but so is beer and I like that anyway! Surely there must be a city or nation that has found a compromise between letting smokers infect everyone else with their noxious habits wherever they please and imposing a blanket ban on a long established activity?

Answer 2

France impossed a smoking ban just this week. That is a ban on smoking in public places, theatres, cinemas, etc. Resturants, Bars and Bistros have until December 2007 at which point they will have to observe the smoking ban too.

As a life-long smoker, I'm in favour of a smoking ban. The reason is not because I particularly want to stay in a smoke-free zone myself. The reason is because of the staff working in the pubs, bars and restaurants where I often go. They have no option but to remain in a smoke filled room during all of their working time. This does not apply to me, not yet anyway. If I want to get away from the smoke, a walk in the street or park gets me free of it. No such freedom exists for workers in the businesses I have mentioned above. Their health is at serious risk.

Let us have a look at what smoking actually does to the lungs. If a person never smoked, their lung capacity at age 60 is the same as a youth of 16. I cannot claim this is true of myself. My lungs are now black with filth from smoking. Even if I gave up the dreaded weed now, my lungs would not improve.

There is no excuse for not knowing of the dangers of smoking. People who started smoking in the 1950s and who claim they were duped by the tobacco companies are not telling the truth. Although it is true that a packet of cigarettes had no warning on it, the majority of people referred to cigarettes by such names as 'cancer sticks' and 'coffin nails'. I know because I was there.

Answer 3

Its stupid. It is just a way of politicians trying to control aspects of peoples lives where their is no real requirement. The thing to consider here is if anyone wants to be absolutely honest and apply the wisdom of Solomon to things of conflict, it makes absolute logical sense to have smoking and non- smoking pubs.

To ban smoking just because some people dislike it is dishonest and a stupid application of any known logic when people can have a choice.

Western democracies always preach the notion of "Freedom". This is drummed into every ones heads and millions of younger people think that this is true but the reality is that westerners have less freedom than enjoyed in some non democratic countries (I don't buy fiction).

It is this gradual chipping away of the individuals freedom that is disturbing.

If the "two venue" solution is the ideal solution, why is it not being implemented? Why are smokers being sent outside in the freezing cold because one or two people want a smoke free "smokers" pub.

A local bookmaker had a smoke free shop near me once and it closed down after a year. The other two smoking shops were packed. It makes me think that whatever the agenda for controlling and restricting people, the politicians have no control over it except to rubber stamp every idiot idea.

Answer 4

Not quite right italy has a full ban.. you cannot smoke in bars restaurants, nightclubs and other public places.. this has been in force here for over 2 years now.. where i live there is only one pub/bar with a smoking saloon and even then it has to have full air conditioning and extraction.. most places haven't bothered and you go outside for a smoke.. but then again in the south of italy the weather is fairly mild so going outside doesn't freeze your wotsits off!!!

Answer 5

yes it's been banned in the state I live in. It was voted on and I voted against it. Not because I do or don't smoke, just because I think it's taking away personal freedoms....what's next?

I know alot of non-smokers that do, on occasion only smoke while drinking in a bar. I dont have a problem with it . It's not a place where children should be and you have a choice as an adult to walk in or not.

It's killing alot of small busines owners that had no choice because of the new laws.

Answer 6

theres been a smoking ban in canada for a couple years now. we smokers are still able to smoke in designated rooms in bars but not for long. public smoking even outside on the street will be banned too. it makes some sense but its going a little far. smoking laws should stay as they are. as for europe i think that all countries should have the same smoking ban. there is no need to give everyone second hand smoke.

Answer 7

In UK I believe there is one smoker to every five non smokers and i don't suppose its much different in the rest of Europe. So the non-smokers will get their way in banns and so on. The only thing that may influence them is the tax on cigarettes. If we ban smoking in public places will less be smoked and if so how much difference would that make slapped onto income tax. I am a non smoker and I hate inhaling other peoples smoke and I also dislike watching them smoke as it looks so silly and childish but if the smokers smoked where I never saw them but went on helping my income tax as they do now then good luck to 'em and by golly they need it as i know so many who have died of smoking related diseases. So I do think Europe should be smoke free but with smoking allowed in private

Answer 8

Smoking is still legal isn't it? Why are smokers being treated like criminals then? Pretty scary to me that this is happening all over. I know that a lot of nonsmokers are very happy about this, but I think that many are not looking at the bigger picture here and that is a loss of another freedom. Watch what you are cheering for because the next loss of freedom could be something YOU enjoy. Compromises could be made, but many don't want to do that, they want a complete ban on something that is LEGAL. Why not at least allow smoking in areas where no children are, bars, clubs and even have smoking or non smoking establishments and let people DECIDE?

Answer 9

I live in Scotland - I'm 100% behind any smoking ban. I can tell you how much nicer it is to go into a bar, restaurant or public building and not have to sit in a smoky atmosphere.

There was a lot of griping in the media etc when it started but as far as I know, it has been generally well accepted and there's been no major disputes about it.

At the end of the day - even smokers need to admit there are NO health benefits to smoking. Everyone has to be better off for stopping smoking.

And to those who cite a loss of human rights being a side effect of a smoking ban - if they were banning drinking cola or something fair enough - but passive smoking causes problems for non-smokers. As a non-smoker - where's MY human rights when I become ill due to having to breathe other peoples smoke? Where's my rights if I want to go into a bar or restaurant and not breathe it in?

Answer 10

A drink and a smoke go together extremely well and smoking should not be banned in pubs.

I agree restaurants should be non-smoking.

I think the best solution is for restaurants/bars to have separate areas for smokers and nonsmokers (if they wish to).

If anyone doesn't like pubs being smoky, no-one forces them to go there.