Is the smoking ban rather extreme and unfair?

Question

"Smoking will be banned in all public indoor spaces"

On the whole the smoking ban is quite understandable and I agree with it 75%. But the other 25% of me can't help feeling it's extreme and unfair to ban smoking in ALL public indoor places.

If I was the owner of a small business (ie corner shop) how does anyone have the right to ban me from smoking on my own premises? How can such a ban be enforced?

Answer 1

I think the Spanish have got it right, cafe`s, bars etc can choose to be either smoking or non smoking, therefore the public have a choice as to which they prefer when they go out. Here there is no choice and places will lose custom...
Why could we not have the same choice here instead of becoming dictatorial.

Hi plato So we can agree on this!! There is now hope for Y/A

Answer 2

No I don't think it is unfair. It has been in Scotland since last march and in Wales and Northern Ireland this year. The majority have accepted, true with some moans, but then they agree that the atmosphere in pubs is a lot better. Less headaches, coughs etc. Why should the people in England think they should be exempt from the smoking ban. Maybe bar workers don't have the luxury of having any choice where they can work. Bars also have smokers and non smokers. Do you suggest then that a non smoker should have to put up with the smoker blowing smoke all over them. Is it a question of choice? Then what about the choice for the non-smoker or is that not an option Prisons are seen as a place of residence for the prisoners so smoking cannot be banned there.

Answer 3

I think the ban is a bit extreme, although I do agree that non smokers should not be forced to breathe other peoples smoke. As in other peoples answers I think pub and club owners should have the choice to be smoking or non smoking giving people a choice of venues to visit. There is one thing that bothers me that nobody has mentioned. How does the law stand on prisons. You could argue that a prison is not a public space, but on the other side it is the work place of prison officers. If the smoking ban is going to be applied to prisons, as an ex prison officer all I am saying is watch out for the riots.

Answer 4

I'm too young to remember, but smoking used to be allowed in all public buildings, buses, trains, etc. They banned that some time ago (I'm in Finland). Now they've followed EU's lead and banned it in all restaurants, bars and other public establishments as well.

And I have to cheer that they have! Okay, so I'm a non-smoker, but I had to put up with my parents smoking when I was growing up, and later working in pubs. It's really unfair to us to have to breathe your smoke involuntarily. There is honestly nothing I can think of that non-smokers do that can be harmful to others quite like cigarettes (with the exception of private cars, which I think should be next...)

The people who shop at your corner shop shouldn't have to breathe your smoke. Sure, they could always go to some other place, but do you really want that? Lose business over not smoking indoors.

I'm really hoping this new ban will give my parents the push they need to quit. I've never understood why people choose to pollute themselves.

Answer 5

Well, the definition of "premises" is the key point here.

Even if it is your premises it is still a public premises and as such falls under the public ban on smoking in public places. The ban would not affect you smoking on your private premises.

Side note: Early indication says the dock area where workers went out to smoke behind the furniture warehouse is where the fire started that ended up killing nine firefighters. How sad it will be if it is determined a lit cigarette was the cause of this tragedy.

Answer 6

I see nothing wrong with banning smoking in government buildings. People need to go there and don't have a choice.

But when it comes to the private sector, I think that the government is overstepping it's bounds. I can understand regulations such as not allowing a minor into a business that chooses to allow smoking. I can understand requiring a business to clearly post whether or not they choose to allow smoking indoors so that their potential customers and employees can make an informed decision whether or not to patronize or work for that business. But I disagree with the government taking away the personal liberty of private business owners to choose for themselves what customers they want to cater to. It's a matter of personal liberty and I don't like the idea of the government taking that away. A private business is private.

Our state has instituted a smoking ban that even includes private clubs. So if a private club of cigar enthusiasts want to enjoy a cigar together, they can't do it inside of their own club. I feel that's extreme and I am saddened by the way that the general public is allowing their rights to be chiseled away by our government. Now we have proposed laws that prohibit the use of transfats in foods served in private businesses. What's next? Is the government going to prohibit serving foods with high levels of sugar? I can make my own decisions on the food that I eat and the private businesses that I want to patronize. I don't need governmental regulation to make those choices for me.

Answer 7

I don't think so , I am a smoker and I try not to smoke at all in my house . I only smoke in the kitchen with a window open . I have been trying to quit smoking for years now and I believe that the smoking ban in all public places has definitely help me reduce and is encouraging me to quit smoking . The place won't stink with cigarette as well my clothing won't either and I should regain some of my wind upon exercising often .If you are a small business and you receiving patrons in you place of business it is unlawful to be smoking because you are as well in a public place and the law as to be enforced even if you are the owner

Answer 8

A business owner should have the right to decide smoking or not especially bars and private clubs. A total ban takes a smokers choices away. I have no problem with a ban in other public places but non smokers will not make up the loss of revenue to a bar owner who loses business. By and large non smokers are not drinkers either. Smoking and drinking go together. Here in my city some bars and clubs have shortened their hours and laid off employees. My friend who owns a bar had a 40% loss of revenue. The nonsmokers who said they would make up the difference never showed up.

Answer 9

I am a smoker and I do agree with some of it, especially in enclosed spaces, but I do find some organisations are going over the top by banning smoking outdoors on their sites. I understand near doorways and public areas non smokers wouldnt like to walk through a cloud of smoke, but I cannot understand why they ban it totally. A local college has banned all smoking indoors and outdoors, so people have to leave the site and cross the road to have a smoke! Surely this is more unacceptable to non smokers just walking past? At least with a smoking area they can avoid it?

Answer 10

Totally agree with your percentage of extreme & unfair. Smokers are going to find this very tuff to begin with as we are used to having a drink then lighting up but I think over time we'll get used to it & it might spurr some of us to quit even though it's a bit forced. I went to New york last year & you can't smoke in-doors there either so I had a brief taster of what it will be like. In a club setting I didn't feel the urge to smoke as much as when everyone around is smoking it makes you smoke more unneccasily. Basically there are good & bad points to it.

Answer 11

I live in Scotland and the ban was the best thing that ever happened - the majority of my 'smoking' friends agree with the ban also.
I come home after a night out and do not smell like an ashtray, my eyes do not water from beign in smoky rooms, I am not put off my food by the smell of smoke form other diners.
The biggest downside is that you soemtimes have to walk through a huge cloud of smoke to get into a social venue as the smokers are all huddled together outside the doors