Metropol

Finally the government has announced that smoking will be banned in all public places in Northern Ireland. It's a pity that the legislation won't be introduced until April 2007 but still, it will be nice to be able to go out for a few drinks and not come back stinking.

It's possible that legislation for England and Wales will be introduced at the same time.

Whilst I agree that people who wish to go out and not stink of smoke should be catered for, smokers' rights should also be recognised. It really annoys me that my university has banned smoking anywhere within the boundaries, even outside. Fair enough people don't want to walk through smoke on the way into lectures but some provision should be made. Especially when they have a prayer room to cater for those who require it, why not a smoking area for those who require that?

You are free to smoke in the privacy of your own home in the same way I am free to fart in the privacy of mine.

marksi wrote:You are free to smoke in the privacy of your own home in the same way I am free to fart in the privacy of mine.

They are hardly comparable in terms of "social" activity.

Anyhoo, lets just hope you don't end up getting thumped while you try to fight your way past pissed up louts congregating *outside* bars and clubs having their cigarette, Mark. You may find "stinky" the preferred choice in the end.

I do hope all you non-smokers don't serioulsy expect that my highly taxed habit will change just because a ban has been put in place. That is also true for the hundreds, nay thousands of social smokers who will doubtless find *somewhere* to go.

And what's the bet you are all moaning about that?

It would make no difference to me anyway. If they banned smoking in all public places, I would still smoke.

I don't care if it shortens my lifespan - life is crap after 60 anyway. I'd rather die younger with all my faculties intact than spend my final years pissing and shitting myself in some old folks home watching Countdown and eating custard creams.

Gavin Scott wrote:

marksi wrote:You are free to smoke in the privacy of your own home in the same way I am free to fart in the privacy of mine.

They are hardly comparable in terms of "social" activity.

I don't want to smell of smoke any more than I want to smell of farts. At least the smell of farts doesn't linger as long, nor does it cause any health problems (that I am aware of!).

marksi wrote:

Gavin Scott wrote:

marksi wrote:You are free to smoke in the privacy of your own home in the same way I am free to fart in the privacy of mine.

They are hardly comparable in terms of "social" activity.

I don't want to smell of smoke any more than I want to smell of farts. At least the smell of farts doesn't linger as long, nor does it cause any health problems (that I am aware of!).

What about driving a car on Belfast's smoke-filled roads. That doesn't damage your health?

The only way to make people stop smoking is to ban the sale of tobacco. That would never happen, though, as the Govt makes £4bn a year in TabTax.

Jamez wrote:

marksi wrote:

Gavin Scott wrote: They are hardly comparable in terms of "social" activity.

I don't want to smell of smoke any more than I want to smell of farts. At least the smell of farts doesn't linger as long, nor does it cause any health problems (that I am aware of!).

What about driving a car on Belfast's smoke-filled roads. That doesn't damage your health?

Yes, it does. I have a motorbike so I do my best to keep the nasty emissions as low as possible while being energy efficient. We can ban big nasty inefficient vehicles any time you like.

Jamez wrote:It would make no difference to me anyway. If they banned smoking in all public places, I would still smoke.

I shall assume then that you will no longer want a delivery of my quitting smoking treats.

The smoking ban won't affect me much. As in about two weeks i will be a non-smoker. I've been gradually weening myself off them and i'm now down to about 5 a day. I'm on silk cut and it's like smoking fresh air.
My salon will be a no smoking one. I have an ashtray that stands outside for staff and clients.

I am quitting for the good of my health not because the anti smoking brigade make me feel like a social leper.

Not sure how i'll feel about smokers when i successfully quit.

marksi wrote:Yes, it does. I have a motorbike so I do my best to keep the nasty emissions as low as possible while being energy efficient. We can ban big nasty inefficient vehicles any time you like.

But for reasons of "practicality" and other factors such a ban would never be entertained. There are many more cases of asthma being reported with children in congested cities being the primary victims. The cause? VEHICLE EMISSIONS - and don't anyone pretend to me that its not.

I agree with James - ban the sale of tobacco and then you can truly ostracise the people who defy it. But to take £4B a year out of the pockets of smokers and then force us to stand in the cold and rain to have a puff is frankly outrageous and appalling.

I don't know, non-smokers have had to put up with smokers giving them an increased chance of a stroke, I think it'll be nice to have my way for a while!

Perhaps they should alternate it year-by-year. When Big Ben strikes midnight, the sound of a country extinguishing can be heard!