The Smoking Ban

[mobyme]

goldctrsteve: You are wasted on this forum. I am sure that you are familiar with the phrase; "You cannot educate Pork" and this thread is the living breathing proof of it. I cannot believe some of the totally facile arguments that have been used by those in favour of the ban to support their position, however what is far more frightening is that the majority seem to have missed the point of what you are saying altogether.

 

[franco_24]

Last day in the office puffing away merrily. Trying to finish off the pack before giving up tomorrow. The end of an era. Goodbye fags. Goodbye smoke. I think Ill spend the extra money I save on a gym subscription. Such is life.

 

[DotNetWebs]

Or who you are Chas, hope you've not signed in under another name!

That's what I was thinking. If so they should have the courage to show what side of the fence they are on.

Regards

Dotty

 

[DotNetWebs]

goldctrsteve: You are wasted on this forum. I am sure that you are familiar with the phrase; "You cannot educate Pork" and this thread is the living breathing proof of it. I cannot believe some of the totally facile arguments that have been used by those in favour of the ban to support their position, however what is far more frightening is that the majority seem to have missed the point of what you are saying altogether.

Whatever. At least us Porkers will be living & breathing cleaner air as of tomorrow.

Regards

Dotty

PS Steve is not wasted on this forum. He is a great debater but normally take the underdog or controversial position.

 

Whatever. At least us Porkers will be living & breathing cleaner air as of tomorrow.

Regards

Dotty

Indeed!

 

[Cornish Steve]

Steve is not wasted on this forum. He is a great debater but normally take the underdog or controversial position.

Dotty - you hit the nail on the head! I have always supported the underdog, and sometimes I can't help myself. In this case, though, a matter of principle is involved too, which is why I've gone out on a limb to stand up against government dictate.

By the way, it's a privilege to belong to a forum with members who are respectful of other opinions. I know of some places where I'd have been hung, drawn, and quartered by now.

 

[chas]

Never gonna beat the non smoking morons - same as people who want to ban salt fat breathing and enjoyment of any sort - I am off to enjoy myself - a forum not worth being on - and I am not beaten or giving up because I lost an argument - just going somewhere with people who enjoy life and let others do the same - goodbye

 

[DotNetWebs]

...I know of some places where I'd have been hung, drawn, and quartered by now.

Hanging, drawing and quartering. There was another fine activity that used to take place in England in public places. There was outrage when it was finally banned and members of the public lost their 'rights' to see enemies of the state dismembered in public.

Like I said, society moves on.....

Sorry Steve I could't resist

 

[DotNetWebs]

Never gonna beat the non smoking morons - same as people who want to ban salt fat breathing and enjoyment of any sort - I am off to enjoy myself - a forum not worth being on - and I am not beaten or giving up because I lost an argument - just going somewhere with people who enjoy life and let others do the same - goodbye

Bye.

Thanks for enlightening us with all your business related post while you were here.

Regards

Dotty

 

Never gonna beat the non smoking morons - same as people who want to ban salt fat breathing and enjoyment of any sort - I am off to enjoy myself - a forum not worth being on - and I am not beaten or giving up because I lost an argument - just going somewhere with people who enjoy life and let others do the same - goodbye

*waves goodbye* - a wave from a non-smoker.

 

[PI Guy]

I'm a non-smoker but i did used to smoke aged 13-17 years. It tends to make me sick these days (don't know why). I agree that people can smoke anywhere they want to as long as they don't do it where other people who don't want to smoke are.

These legislation is not about banning smoking though is it? If it were, they would make the sale and distribution of cigs illegal.

I think it's about health & safety in the workplace and pubs etc are workplaces.

 

[DotNetWebs]

Never gonna beat the non smoking morons - same as people who want to ban salt fat breathing and enjoyment of any sort - I am off to enjoy myself - a forum not worth being on - and I am not beaten or giving up because I lost an argument - just going somewhere with people who enjoy life and let others do the same - goodbye

ps you can eat as much salt and fat as you want as it won't affect us non-smokers will it?

Can't you see the difference between salt, fat and smoking?

Regards

Dotty

 

[Coding Monkey]

Bye.

Thanks for enlightening us with all your business related post while you were here.

Regards

Dotty

He'll be missed. His thoughts on Keynesian economics was truly insightful.

 

[Dawg]

Now now. Chas did actually raise one point: the tax base will shrink if people give up in large numbers; at present more is collected from smokers than spent on smokers.
Because of this, for the very first time I realised that somewhere, quite well hidden, there is a glimmer of decency in this government: they are doing something for the greater good rather than for political expedience and/or ego driven meddling.
It takes a chap like Chas to make the government look good. We may not see his like again.
Cheers Chas.

(Cor! I feel all choked up)

 

[Gillie]

Never gonna beat the non smoking morons - same as people who want to ban salt fat breathing and enjoyment of any sort - I am off to enjoy myself - a forum not worth being on - and I am not beaten or giving up because I lost an argument - just going somewhere with people who enjoy life and let others do the same - goodbye

Erm, you can tell he aint been around this forum for long ... hell he is missing out on all the fun we have!!!

Us non-smokers aint that bothered about you smokers killing yourselves etc, we just don't want you to do it to us, hence after much lobbying, a law has been brought out to say that hell go smoke ... just not in our faces ... simple!! So shut up and get outside in the rain ....

 

[directmarketingadvice]

there is a glimmer of decency in this government: they are doing something for the greater good rather than for political expedience and/or ego driven meddling.

I don't agree with this.

Ok, it's going to reduce the income from tobacco tax, but the goverment does lots of things that reduces the amount of money in its coffers.

Also, the ban was pretty much forced upon Westminster because the English people saw it coming in in the rest of the UK (and many countries in Europe) and wanted it too.

This is a popular law that most people want introduced so they couldn't really drag their heels for much longer than they actually did.

So, I wouldn't give the goverment much credit for this.

Steve

 

[Dawg]

Steve,
are you having a post-ironic or a pre-ironic evening?

 

[Smudge]

Cigs and smoke will screw my lungs, but fresh air will never hurt me!

 

[csallis]

I don't agree with the ban at all I think it is stupid and a discrimination against smokers. I understand people who don't smoke maybe don't want to be around it so why not make it law to have a designated smoking room within the premises especially pubs, that is well ventilated and away from the main rooms where smokers can pop for a quick cig when they want one, this in my opinion would not discriminate between smokers and non smokers.

 

I think a few point have been missed here.

Smoking has not been banned. Smokers have not be told they can no longer smoke. They have simply been told they can no longer do it in enclosed public spaces.

You cannot compare smoking with eating junk food and alcohol etc. If somebody sits down next to me and eats a burger or has a drink it does not effect my health. Every cigarette that is smoked next to me can potentially affect my health.

The vast majority of people in this country do not smoke and are in favour of the ban because they do not like to be in the presence of second-hand smoke. I do not think it is unreasonable to ask smokers to restrict their habit to outdoor areas or the privacy of their own home.

Regards

Dotty

First I am in agreement with the smoking ban.

But if you asked me would I rather sit next to a drunk or a smoker

I do think maybe the health aspect of smoking is not so clear.

people who smoke also would seem to drink more than the norm.

now both are poisons ,but niether holds a candle to car exhaust fumes which can kill you in 15 minutes.

It would also seem that overeating is becoming the N0 1 health risk:|

So if you are a fat person smoking your cigar whilst driving your 4 x 4 down to the pub.

your in big trouble

Earl

 

[csallis]

So if you are a fat person smoking your cigar whilst driving your 4 x 4 down to the pub.

your in big trouble

Earl

lol put a smile on my face

 

[Gillie]

I don't agree with the ban at all I think it is stupid and a discrimination against smokers. I understand people who don't smoke maybe don't want to be around it so why not make it law to have a designated smoking room within the premises especially pubs, that is well ventilated and away from the main rooms where smokers can pop for a quick cig when they want one, this in my opinion would not discriminate between smokers and non smokers.

Er as from tomorrow they do have this room ... its called outside under the shelter!

And how perceptive of you to notice that they are discriminating against smokers ... wonder how long that took???

 

[KM-Tiger]

And how perceptive of you to notice that they are discriminating against smokers

But who is 'they'?

 

[Gillie]

That one depends on your point of view, some here seem intent to think the government are doing it for fun, some think its us killjoys who just do it for entertainment and some just don't care, they like smoking so they will argue for it till the day they hack their last breath as they die of lung cancer!

Ah well ... who am I to spoil their fun??

 

[Mr. Mu]

I don't like smoking and I don't like drinking. I've done plenty of both. Addiction isn't about the time between fixes, it's about the fact that you can't not have the next one.

 

[KM-Tiger]

Ah well ... who am I to spoil their fun??

Exactly.




<Forum required padding>

 

[Gillie]

Yep if they want to kill themselves, they can go do it outdoors and not stood next to me thanks!! Simple ... I don't ask for much in life and don't expect much, but I choose not to die of cancer through passive smoking ... would rather get my own variety thanks!!

 

[jali]

Well its here, i went out to the pub last night purely because it was the last night to smoke freely in a pub.

Time to give up - i think

Mandy

 

[Mr. Mu]

All power to you, Mandy - good luck if you decide to quit

 

[office man]

let em kill themselves in their own damn space and not polute our pubs, does anyone know the freephone number so we can all keep it our phones?? post it if you do

 

[PI Guy]

I don't like smoking and I don't like drinking. I've done plenty of both. Addiction isn't about the time between fixes, it's about the fact that you can't not have the next one.

love that quote

 

[CG Effect]

I like how smokers say why ban us and not drinkers and bad food eaters?

The fact is that drinkers and junk food eaters can eat right next to you and you are not forced agaist your will to drink or eat what their putting down their necks.

Doctors told my dad whos been chain smoking 40 years hes wiped 15 yrs off his life that proberbly means hes wiped at least 5yrs off my life when I have only ever smoked 20 cigs in my life. He still insists on chain smoking sat next to the gran kids the public ban needs to be enforced in our own houses too. The kids need to be protected from smoke too.

The only solution for everyone is a unused quarry that is run by smokers and is the only place to go to smoke and they all pay a tax to get in that goes towards medical bills for the passive smokers, their kids!

 

[DotNetWebs]

...The fact is that drinkers and junk food eaters can eat right next to you and you are not forced agaist your will to drink or eat what their putting down their necks...

Nicely put. This is the one point that smokers who use the “why not ban {insert whatever}” seem to miss.

I think your ‘solution’ is a bit extreme though

Regards

Dotty

ps Had a great 'smoke free' night in my local last night. There were lots of new faces in there - plus a few unpleasant smells that were presumably previously masked by tobacco smoke :|

 

[adam]

I haven't yet had the chance to go in to a pub or restaurant yet but I am going on Saturday with my smoking Mum and I can't wait to not be asked if I would like "smoking or non smoking".

I have had many family meals away from my family as I like to taste my meal and not the tobacco and other chemcials that they smoke over it. Smoked bacon, salmon or whatever is one thing...

 

[creospace]

When I return to the uk in September am i likely to experience a large difference from the last time I went in April?

 

[Clementine]

Firstly, Office man - I have to object to the phrase 'our pubs'. Who ever said they were the property of the non-smoker? Much the opposite I would have thought, although of course they are just a place we would choose to go - or not as the case may be. No-one has a right to claim them as their own.

Secondly, regarding my earlier post, my problem with the ban is not anything to do with the smoking. Look at the bigger picture. It is about freedom of choice - or the removal of the freedom of choice. Don't give me that jive about 'my freedom of choice to not breathe someone else's smoke'. I mean the bigger picture about society making choices - or having choices made for them. Much like Steve says it is a worrying trend if the government can make these moves without certain processes being followed.

And regarding my comment about Communism - yes it was extreme but consider these definitions:

Democracy: "a form of government in which the citizens of a state vote directly on all governmental affairs or indirectly through democratically elected representatives".

Communism: "a political, social, and economic system in which the state, governed by a single party without formal opposition, owns all property. control the production and distribution of goods and services, and, to a great extent, control the social and cultural life of the people".

I didn't vote for the ban and certainly didn't vote Gordon Brown in as Prime Minister.

And remember - I am a non-smoker.

Discuss......

Clem.

 

[DotNetWebs]

...And regarding my comment about Communism - yes it was extreme but consider these definitions:

Democracy: "a form of government in which the citizens of a state vote directly on all governmental affairs or indirectly through democratically elected representatives".

Communism: "a political, social, and economic system in which the state, governed by a single party without formal opposition, owns all property. control the production and distribution of goods and services, and, to a great extent, control the social and cultural life of the people".

I didn't vote for the ban and certainly didn't vote Gordon Brown in as Prime Minister.

And remember - I am a non-smoker.

Discuss......

Clem.

I didn’t vote for Gordon Brown or Labour either and can’t wait to see them go but I can’t believe that you think we are more like a communist state than a democracy. Especially considering your own definitions (including the bits you omitted to bold).

75% of the population are in favour of the ban. That sounds like democracy in action to me.

Regards

Dotty

 

[Clementine]

Dotty,

I do not think we are more like a communist state than a democracy. What I am saying is there is a trend forming. I merely highlighted the quotations to illustrate my meaning rather than for you to take it word for word.

Again, look at the big picture and not the detail.

I agree with the fact that a majority may well have wanted the ban - but where was the vote?

Give the public a choice rather than decide what is best on their behalf. It may well be that the 75% in favour of the ban is a statistic based on the fact that those who are in favour of the ban seem to be more outspoken than those against it? Only a vote would have put it in black and white and proven it either way.

Clem.

 

[DotNetWebs]

Dotty,
..I agree with the fact that a majority may well have wanted the ban - but where was the vote?

Give the public a choice rather than decide what is best on their behalf. It may well be that the 75% in favour of the ban is a statistic based on the fact that those who are in favour of the ban seem to be more outspoken than those against it? Only a vote would have put it in black and white and proven it either way.

Clem.

You can’t have a referendum for everything – It would cost a fortune and nothing would ever get done.

If this law proves to be that unpopular another party could promise to overturn it in their manifesto and fight an election on. That’s the democratic process.

Regards

Dotty

 

I didn't vote for Gordon Brown or Labour either and can't wait to see them go but I can't believe that you think we are more like a communist state than a democracy. Especially considering your own definitions (including the bits you omitted to bold).

75% of the population are in favour of the ban. That sounds like democracy in action to me.

Regards

Dotty

quite right Dotty for many years we have lived under a dictatorship.

which is probably similar to communism,but certainly not a democracy.

as on the few occasions we have a referendum the results seem to confuse the facts

80% want us out of Iraq ,but it ain't happened !!

Incedently if you own your own house or property.Wrong Queenie owns the lot in England ,don't know about the pics and leeks

an Englishmans home is his castle only if its Windsor Castle

how naive