England banning smoking in enclosed public place

[SpeedRacer 1]

What do you all think? Scotland & Ireland are already doing it.


In the USA such bans have been enacted, but usually on a county-wide level.
In America, UK, Ireland, and many European countries the % of adults who are smokers has gone dramatically down over the last 20-25 years.


As for the ban, I have mixed feelings about it. As a non-smoker I hate the smell & have been forced out of some pubs by the sheer concentration of toxins in the aptmosphere. But I'm not sure how I feel about the Government posing such bans.

On the other hand, the smokers complain that the non-smokers in favor of the ban are just being sanctimonius about health issues.

That's not true: A smoker who enjoys enhaling smoke might not understand how irritating and sickening cigarette smoke is to a non-smoker bystander. If you were sitting at your table in a restaurant eating greasy, over-processed, fat-laden food, that would be different, because your food choices only affect you, not the other people in the room.

So it isn't just sanctimonius health-mongerers. It is people who are actually being negatively affected by the pollution you're putting out. Many smokers really do not understand how cig smoke affects non-smokers, and consequently do not understand what the fuss is all about.

Speed Racer
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[Cajun 0]

Ohio already has the same kind of ban. As a smoker, I don't mind it as long as there is someplace outside that I can go to smoke.

[shropshire 0]

[sanctimonious] Non-Smoker here....


> well they surely must have their head in a sand bucket ash-tray then, as there's loads of published 'evidence' warning of 2nd hand smoke.


Non-smokers do not adversly affect smokers health. Whereas smokers DO adversly affect the health of non-smokers.. so who is being selfish?

But anyway it stinks like a very stinky thing, so I dont want to be near any stinky smokers


Seriously, from my perspective and especially that of my wife (asthma sufferer) we tend not to go out to pubs these days, entirely due to the smokey atmosphere..... from 1st July, we'll be free to go out again and enjoy a drink in clean air.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Scoop 0]

Whats really amusing is the police station and custody area will be covered by this legislation so no prisoners will be getting their smokes anymore

[SpeedRacer 1]

One thing I noticed in both America and Ireland:

There were a lot of bar-owners who at first got all freaked out thinking that the smoking bans would decrease business.

After the bans were in effect, they were surprised to see that business did NOT drop off, and in fact in many cases improved.


I read somewhere that in the USA in 1965, over 50% of men smoked. Now it's less than half that. probably has something to do with it.

Speed Racer
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[shropshire 0]

What about in Prisons.... will you need to let them out for a fag?

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[shropshire 0]

I would suspect that they will be the case in England too, but only time will tell.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[SpeedRacer 1]

they have plenty of fags in prison, I suspect.

Speed Racer
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[shropshire 0]

baDum....tish

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[kelpdiver 2]

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I read somewhere that in the USA in 1965, over 50% of men smoked. Now it's less than half that. probably has something to do with it.

The bans are pretty recent, as are the dramatic increase in taxes, so I don't think that is as big a factor as changing views. But as soon as the current generation is replaced by the next, these new factors may cause another substantial drop. Teenage kids are now forced to buy individual cigarrettes with a pack costing ~5 dollars. Much easier to kick that sort of habit.

As a non smoker, the ban in bars/nightclubs was a big improvement to me. I no longer had to think about how filthy my clothes would be when I got home. Vegas hasn't changed, so I tend to slum it in my dress when I go there.

That all said, I think a lot of the anti smokers pushing legislation really are pricks about it, with absolutely no interest in fair play. Having banned any indoor smoking, they move on to go after smokers outdoors on the sidewalks, go after their wallets to fund child care and other pet projects, all with a bit of glee.

If the indoor ban had allowed for a smoking room, then it wouldn't be necessary for a requirement that everyone smoke 50 ft away from a door. Ban outdoor, and where are they supposed to go? We all have the right to our own vices so long as it doesn't unduly affect others. Smoking outdoors rarely meets that criteria, esp in my state full of single occupant SUVs.

[Nightingale 0]

Smoking outdoors pretty much only affects non-smokers when they have to walk through a cloud of smoke to get in and out of a building, or when people are smoking in an outdoor line. Either way, the smoke can't really be avoided.

[shropshire 0]

Our company is going to stop smokers congregating around the building entrances too; it looks most unprofessional and gives a poor impression to visitors. There is often a litter problem associated with this practice too - fag butts are most unsightly when carelessly disposed of).

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Remster 30]

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Our company is going to stop smokers congregating around the building entrances too; it looks most unprofessional and gives a poor impression to visitors. There is often a litter problem associated with this practice too - fag butts are most unsightly when carelessly disposed of).

The ban that was voted in in Arizona that just got into effect this month specifies that smokers cannot smoke within 15 feet of building entrances and windows.

Remster

[shropshire 0]

I dont know what our new laws says; re distances. I'll look it up and post back; for interest.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[shropshire 0]

There does not appear to be any provision for distances from buildings:-

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Sometimes smoke blows back through my office window. Can they be made to smoke away from the building?
The provisions made under the Health Bill only pertain to enclosed and substantially enclosed workplaces and public places. Employers and business owners will continue to have responsibilities under Health and Safety legislation and will need to consider any issues that might arise and take the most appropriate action.

clicky

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[iamsam 0]

They'll still be allowed to smoke in prison, as it counts as their home.

but what do I know

[grue 1]

I'm a non-smoker, and I think it's a disgusting habit. However, I do not support this sort of legislation, at least in the US. It's not the government's job to tell people what they may or may not do with their own bodies on private property and places of business. If a business owner wants to have a nonsmoking business, he can do it himself.

In a police state like England? I'm less surprised to see laws like this. It also makes sense anywhere that the government foots the bill for health care. Another reason I never have and never will support governmental health care in the US, it just gives them another reason to say what you may or may not do.

cavete terrae.

[shropshire 0]

<>

The Government DO NOT foot the bill for health care - WE DO... They just feather their nests with our money.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Scoop 0]

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What about in Prisons.... will you need to let them out for a fag?

I can see there being some great comical photo opportunities here.

In foreground: Sign reads 'exercise yard'
In background group of smokers huddled together to shield from the wind

[grue 1]

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<>

The Government DO NOT foot the bill for health care - WE DO... They just feather their nests with our money.

I didn't say they do. I used the health care statement in a separate sentence because I wasn't sure who pays for health care in England.

cavete terrae.

[Mike111 0]

But anyway it stinks like a very stinky thing, so I dont want to be near any stinky smokers

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you calling me stinky?

[Scoop 0]

yes

[shropshire 0]

You smoke? - Then yes. actually yes anyway

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[DZJ 0]

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In a police state like England? I'm less surprised to see laws like this.

'Patriot' Act, anyone?

[grue 1]

Oh, don't get me wrong, the US is spinning down the shitter when it comes to civil liberties too, but it's not as overt as England.

cavete terrae.