carl

Yes, but it's likely that £5 purchase will only include 17.5% VAT, rather than the >80% duty that the government gets when you buy a packet of ****.

TelBoy

Do you honestly think that the odour, tar, carbon monoxide etc etc all stop four feet from the bar just because there's a "no smoking at the bar" rule, NS04? You are having a laugh, aren't you?

speedking

Not sure what you're saying Dracoro. People can't smoke in most offices. You have no control over who comes in and sits near you. Taking a job in a pub, you know the risks before being employed. You could equally say that being barstaff is inherently dangerous because of the passive smoke.

The employer carries out a risk assessment and determines that given that customers want to smoke he has minimised the risks. Similar to if people want cheap electricity we need nuclear power, someone has to build and maintain the power stations. Lots of people won't go near, others go in every day.

slagmagnet69

I smoke - but not in pubs.... who says the majority want it....where have you got that from????

Dracoro

Look a the poll here. Look at the poll on the bbc site. Look at the votes in the HofC. Look at all the other votes/polls you see everywhere.

slagmagnet69

just you lot wait till your taxes sky rocket even more.....

SJ_Skyline

Why would taxes rocket?

Just because people will not be able to smoke in public places does not mean that everybody that smokes will stop. I suspect that the amount of money lost from reduction in tobacco taxation will be offset against the money saved by the NHS not having to treat smoking-related illness.

scoobydooooo

well that arguement doesn't wash mate , you see i know the amount of taxes that smoking raises is substantial , although that is no reason to keep smoking , but the amount of money it costs treating smoking related illnesses is obviously out weighing the money raised by tax on ciggies otherwise the govt would not have supported a ban .

v8voodoo

Hmm... Now I'm not saying I agree with it, but first there was hunting, now smoking....

I don't smoke, don't like my clothes smelling of it when I've been out for the night and don't like breathing it in...BUT....

What's next and where does it stop.....? Modifying your car?

That can (in other peoples eyes ) be anti social and bad for peoples health with excess noise, pollution and more powerful vehicles..... (personally I don't agree , but think of the eurocrats, recent accidents, public opinion, MP's who don't understand our culture.. )

Read this: http://www.nsra.org.uk/legislation.htm on a Hot Rod forum I frequent where members are actively in discussions with the DVLA and trying to find out what's going to happen to us gearheads in the not too distant future

We're going to need to stick together on this one and be prepared to fight our corner....

StickyMicky

higher they are, the further they fall

Rabid

Voted no, don't smoke but support the right of others to do as they choose even if it's killing them. A total ban is a step too far.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

I'm sure they don't Tel, but ask any bar staff and they'll tell you that behind the bar is much more pleasant when people don't smoke at the bar; the discomfort is a matter of magnitude, it's not absolute.

Regardless of the evidence for/against the harm of passive smoking, one thing is for sure: many people find second hand smoke aversive, more so the closer the proximity of the smoker as the fumes have less space to dissipate.

A sensible segreation of smokers and non-smokers in pubs is perfectly sensible and - as someone who really hates cigarette smoke- I have to say I find it more effective more times than not in most of my 'regulars'.

NS04

TelBoy

No easy answers for sure. Fortunately (or not, as the case may be), the issues have been taken out of our hands now.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Yep! Fancy a pint before they ban that too?

Ns04

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

they will just get around this like they do in Dublin - they have a total ban on smoking 'inside' public houses, restaurants etc.

all that the landlords have done is put up pergolas outside with lots and lots of patio heaters - people can smoke fine there (me included) - warm enough and not upsetting anyone.

the only people that will benefit will be the companies that make these pergolas/outside heaters etc and underage drinkers that could drink outside without landlords catching them. pub landlords will suffer too cos they will have to fork out for this stuff - AND THEN PUT BEER PRICES UP TO PAY FOR IT.

--> we all suffer then.

Restaurants - fine, should be no smoking anyway if you are indoors.

Dream Weaver

Because smoking related illnesses will cease the minute the ban comes in will they?

Smoking generates £9bn more than it costs the NHS so that deficit has to be made up from somewhere.

As for "what will be banned next", the gov't/DVLA are already looking at banning car modifications and older cars.

As said in the other thread, it should've been a compromise for smokers/non smokers.

SJ_Skyline

Of course not but then I don't believe the amount of tobacco sold will drop like a stone either. People are confusing the ban in public places (i.e. pubs, clubs and restaurants) with an outright ban.

Dream Weaver

All depends really, it wont change my tobacco spending, but then I only spend £20 a month.

In the old clubbing days, we all used to go through hundreds of ciggies in the all night raves etc, and I would imagine thats the same these days so the ban would have an effect on weekend sales.

scoobydooooo

dream weaver : " Because smoking related illnesses will cease the minute the ban comes in will they? "


so if , sorry when the ban is enforced in public places does that mean everyone will stop smoking overnight i hope so !

boomer

I don't support the ban as it is to be enforced!

I detest smokers, and do not want pubs (whether they serve food or not) to allow the smelly ash-tray folk to pollute the air.

However, if they wish to join (private) clubs to indulge in their habits - far away from non-smokers, then fine. The staff in these clubs will know the risks before they start work (just like the fact that firemen may get burnt).

Sadly it seems that the government backed down so as not to upset the "big chains" who thought that they might lose business to private smoking clubs - after all, a lot of pub regulars smoke!

mb

Dream Weaver

There's a lot of people "hating" and "detesting" smokers on this thread, yet no-ones ever told me that to my face at a meet when i'm having a ciggie outside

I think its a bit harsh to hate people because of a habit. I'm not keen on BO, but plenty of people have it, doesnt mean I hate them

r32

I support the ban, surely people dont have a right to affect others health?
For me people can do just what they like, so long as it doesnt impact any one else in a really serious way! Doesnt get more serious than Cancer

I'm now battling this for the second time and I often wonder how much (if any) was caused by growing up with two smoking parents....................

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Support it

i8gtmf

I support it, don't mind folks killing themselves thats their choice but i'd like to live a few more years. I'm 36 and never smoked only as a passive smoker.
Would be nice to go out for a pint and not come back stinking of smoke.

7 Foot

Damn right I support it.

I can now pop into the pub for a cheeky one, leave and not need to wash all my clothes and have a shower.

Dream Weaver

So none of you would've compromised by pubs having a separate air vented smoking room, which you would never need to go in, and would never leak the tiny amount of smoke that would kill you in an instant?

I'll hopefully be a none smoker soon, but still dont agree with it - cars next, then beer, then music, what else can they ban for us?

OllyK

Then please get rid of your car - the fumes are having a very serious effect on asthmatic partner.

TelBoy

But then it isn't a public place any more, DW, let alone all the difficulties and expense in policing such an arrangement that you suggest would entail. A blanket ban was the only workable option.

OllyK

I'd like to say this is just the beginning, but they have been systamatically banning things for 9 years on the sly

OllyK

Private members clubs aren't public places, but they've banned smoking there as well.

I'll also be intersted to see the definition of "enclosed" and "public".