Smoking or Non-smoking ?

Question

Has anyone noticed that a year ago a ban on smoking in pulic ? During interviews today to commemorate this event, and publicise the ban coming into effect in England shortly, 90-99% of those interviewed in the pubs were non-smokers in the first place. Is it just a way of getting the public to do what a vociferous group wants without regard to what is wanted by the majority?
Also last week pubs and breweries in Scotland were bemoaning the fact that they were having to lay off workers because of the drop in sales. Anyone think the two facts might be related?

BY the way I personally do not smoke.
Many of the answers agree that it is an infringement of our freedom.
If a premesis wishes to allow smoking then that is OK as long as there is clear notification on the enterance that they do so, the choice to enter is then up to the individual.
IT IS WRONG THAT THE STATE SHOULD DICTATE PERSONAL CHOICES

Answer 1

I am sorry but i have to agree with the non smoking in public due to i am a severe asthmatic and it bothers my asthma tremendiously when we go to a restraunt and they walk you through like the smoking area to get to the non smoking and it dosen't help when you have kids with you . I think other then casinos and maybe bars non smkoing should be in every public blding . Smokers should do it in here own privacy or outside where there is air to blow it away and the trees can clean the air .

Answer 2

Most of British law-making is a small, apparently mistreated minority angrily forcing the hand of the ministers to affect the majority; this is a fact of British life.

I think that the fact that you are no longer allowed to smoke in bars, meaning that you need to smoke outside in the freezing and probably wet British weather, is driving the smokers away from the pubs. A better solution would be to do what many bars were doing anyway, and have a specific smoking section, possibly an entirely seperate room.

If the breweries in Scotland are moaning about laying off workers, they should lobby to lower the drinking age in Scotland. Not only would it probably work, but as most teenagers here drink ANYWAY, making it legal would just make it easier for us resulting in more buying, resulting in more sales.

I know it's not a good solution, but a total ban wasn't either. And it would sure as hell make the teenagers and the brewery people happy =]

Answer 3

Why, oh why, oh why is the government, which, having paid out an admittedly large amount of dosh in order to pay for the health care of sick smokers, and still make an extremely large tax "profit", getting involved in yet another erosion of liberty?
If I run a pub, club, restaurant, shop or any publicly accessed premises, am I incapable of sticking a notice on the door saying "This is a smoking premises"? Am I equally incapable of sticking an alternative sign that says it is non-smoking? Am I unable to explain to prospective staff that the premises they might work on are one or the other?
If I choose to go into any of those places as a member of the public, am I incapable of making a choice depending on the notice on the door?
My local, we actually did a survey, is 90% + used by people who smoke.
Those smokers will no longer be allowed to do so after a certain date.
Nonsense.
It only makes any sort of sense if smoking is made illegal altogether.
But, hang on, that would result in such an enormous loss of revenue that the taxes would have to be found elsewhere. Oh dear, the non-smokers would have to pay up.
Isn't it interesting that our next prime minister only demanded an extra 11p on a packet of 20? If he, and the government, actually meant what they imply by the smoking ban, why was it not £11.00? Surely that would stop a few? Or is he putting it up just about as much as he thinks the existing smokers will stand, so that he still gets his revenue?
Either make it illegal, or keep out of our business.

Answer 4

The ban is good for all. Of course the ban also affected alcohol sales in pubs because some smokers stayed away, and this is probably part of the reason why some people were layed off. The greatest happiness to the greatest number!

Answer 5

I agree with what you are saying about smoking and drinking being part of the same thing, both start out as peer led pastimes when socialising,. I dont agree however that it should be allowed in puplic,dispite what smokers say to defend their passtime/habit. More money is spent in the NHS on treating smoking related illnesses than is spent on people who get unemployment benifit and they get attacked all the time by the government and general public for trying to feed thier families.
The goverment takes a lot of tax from smokers and I can see my income or vat taxes going up to make up the shortfall but it will be worth it,hopefully in the end good luck everyone.

Answer 6

Despite the widespread propaganda perpetuated by ASH and this government, banning smoking in ALL public places is a bad idea. You mention the loss of jobs, but what about those who are now forced to drink (AND SMOKE) at home? Will we see an increase in 'passive smoking' illnesses in children? Will this save the NHS money (as that is THE ONLY reason for introducing the ban; don't think that the government care about your health)? Such Draconian measures belong in Stalinist Russia, not in a so-called democracy. I could go on for hours believe me; increased taxation to cover loss of revenue and pay for the newly unemployed for example. See my rant on lobbyists on my 360. Good question

Answer 7

We recently had a ban on smoking in restaurants. I don't smoke or care to be around smokers. But I detest the goverment being able to tell a restaurant owner what he or she can do inside his building. They should have the right to require you to smoke a cigar in order to enter the building if they wish, Too many men have died for their freedom, too. This is just one more step to telling you what you can do in your own home.

Answer 8

its a social thing when people are relaxing they automatically strike up and i do think that smoking in public places will harm business certainly the small ones however i have noticed a mark improvement on public transport its so much cleaner and that rank smell of stale smoke 1st thing in the morning used to make me gag

Answer 9

bullshit! we have a smoking ban here in ireland, and when it was proposed, the majority of smokers said 'over my dead body' and various other vague, empty threats. the fact is that we now have to hang around the back of pubs like criminals and i'm sick to my nuts of it.

Answer 10

In the USA in my state(Nebraska) they are trying to ban smoking in public period. Even outside. Parks, streets in personal cars etc.... Don't know if it will pass or not but they are trying.

I think the two are related. I think if a bar wants to allow smoking then it should be able to as long as they post in the window smoking allowed. It's personal choice if you go in or not.

Answer 11

I find alot (not all) of smokers selfish, they go on about their rights but never seem to talk about the unfiltered crap they put in to the air, smokers have the choice to smoke outside or in there own home i think its fair that no smokers are not forced to smoke onto non smokers. ALSO SMOKERS STINK AND HAVE YELLOW TEETH AND THE PEOPLE WHO DONT THINK ITS THEM YOUR THE WORST