Smoking in public to be banned!

does behind the bike sheds count as in public??

I heard that in Scotland, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by smoking. Can that be true?
I was recently in a pub that have just allocated one room to non-smoking, and I found myself in that room unintentionally. It was only when we got up to leave at the end of the evening that I realsied that my eyes were not watering, my throat wasn't like sandpaper and my clothes didn't smell of someone elses ashtray. I made a mental note to go there again next time I'm off to the pub.

I think that smoking in public places will be banned everywhere before too long. Employers have a responsibility to protect their staff - and to protect themselves from potential litigation in the future. In any industrial situation you would not be allowed to require that your staff work in an atmosphere with known carcinogens unless the level was at least below one tenth of that suspected to cause health problems.

Speaking as a lifetime non-smoker I look forward to the day when I can return home from the pub not smelling of fags. It will be a nice reversal of fortunes because at present we non-smokers (now in a majority) are forced to either put up with the stench or (in the summer months) go and sit outside. In future it will be the smokers seeking refuge in the marquee at the back of the Local Pub!

Hopefully, where Scotland leads, the rest of the UK will follow.

All I can say is GOOD!

As a person who hates cigaretes and anything to do with them, I can't wait to see the day there are banned completely.

Regards


NB

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Originally posted by Rasher:
I heard that in Scotland, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by smoking. Can that be true?

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If it is then its a startling figure... maybe it includes deaths also caused indirectly, ie the falling asleep with fag in hand or flicking one over your shoulder into a puddle of petrol ala your average episode of londons burning!

Im a non smoker too, always have been and always will be... and whilst i accept its down to someones personal choice if they choose to poison themselves, ill be glad of legislation that prevents the selfish gits that decide its ok to poison me halfway through my maincourse just because they have finished theirs!

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If it is then its a startling figure... maybe it includes deaths also caused indirectly

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I don't know if the "one in four" figure for Scotland is correct, as it seems a bit high, but even if it were that high, all causes of death from cigarette smoking are considered indirect -- death from lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, cancers of the mouth, throat and larynx, pneumonia, bronchitis & emphysema, chronic airway obstruction... These are the diseases that, like the bug spray commercial says, kill you dead. Smoking simply is a good way of increasing your risk of getting one or more of these diseases.

Incidentally, the figure in the U.S. is one in five deaths being related to smoking -- or about 400,000 deaths a year. Smoking is still the No. 1 cause of preventable death here, but it's quickly being eclipsed by overweight and obesity. If current trends in the U.S. are not reversed, being a lardy arse will soon take the No. 1 spot, which is rather impressive as epidemics go. This situation has mostly come about in the last 20 years.

Joe

While smoking is legal, it should be entirely up to the businesses concerned to decide whether or not to allow it on their premises.

-- Ian

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Originally posted by sideshowbob:
While smoking is legal, it should be entirely up to the businesses concerned to decide whether or not to allow it on their premises.

-- Ian

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No. It should be up to people who don't want their health ruined by inconsiderate smokers.

I'm still recovering from playing at The Spitz in London on friday. I had to take my lenses out as my eyes went bright blue and I could hardly speak tuesday morning.

I think it's inevetable it'll be banned everywhere. In academia and industry, the health and safety is so strict that you can't even use many low toxicity chemicals.

Why shouldn't all workers be protected?

Regards

Stephen

So call for it to be banned completely, for smoking to be an illegal activity. If it's legal, it should be up to individuals and businesses to decide what happens on their own private property.

-- Ian

How is that relevant?

-- Ian

Sideshowbob, I'm afraid you have missed the point - the reason for banning it in pubs is fundamentally to protect the staff who work there. Unlike the non-smoking customers thay don't have an option to stay at home. If cigarette smoke was simply a pollutant created by an industrial process nobody would be allowed to work in an atmosphere containing it.

I agree with Ian. I don't smoke.

I don't see why people with fragile constitutions should dictate the pleasures of others. If you don't like smokey atmospheres, don't go into them.

Paul

No, I haven't missed the point. But I fear those who call for the banning of otherwise completely legal activities are somewhat lacking in a basic intellectual consistency.

-- Ian

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the reason for banning it in pubs is fundamentally to protect the staff who work there.

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It's a completely bogus reason for banning it. There is no litigation risk.

Paul

There is a real health risk.

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Originally posted by Paul Ranson:

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the reason for banning it in pubs is fundamentally to protect the staff who work there.

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It's a completely bogus reason for banning it. There is no litigation risk.

Paul

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Why do you say this Paul? Employers have an obligation to provide a safe working environment for their staff. Having to stand in a smoke-filled room for hours at a time is certainly not safe for anyone. Or do you refute the passive smoking link?

And stating that the 70% of us who don't smoke should have to avoid public places so that the 30% who smoke can indulge their manky habit is frankly preposterous.

I don't see why people with antisocial habits should dictate the pleasures of others. If you don't like smoke free atmospheres, don't go into them.

I hope none of you drive. Consider how you pollute the atmosphere for non-drivers and use up the earth's fuel resources. Shocking, eh?

-- Ian

Ian, Driving is also banned in Pubs

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Originally posted by sideshowbob:
I hope none of you drive. Consider how you pollute the atmosphere for non-drivers and use up the earth's fuel resources. Shocking, eh?

-- Ian

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Last time I checked, in the UK car accidents were responsible for the most years of life lost (ie young people dying).

No need for legislation as the demographics will lead to a de facto ban at some point. In the same way it led to bans on transport, in theatres, etc. all without the need for legislation.

Matthew

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Now all Sccotland needs is some decent beer that is widely avaiable. Tennents doesn't count, 80/' is alright and Black Isle far too uncommon.

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How about Deuchar's IPA, Red MacGregor and Orkney Dark Island.

Used to love those in particular. Deuchar's IPA used to act as a Timothy Taylor substitute in my Fife days.

Jonathan

PS Oh yeah, and good ridance to smoking. Now how about the same for the smokers down here?

Phew - just come in from having a fag break so here's my two-penneth for what it's worth.

Most smokers are used to being pariahs and so I think that legislation like this will become the norm and on the whole, I agree with it.

As a smoker I feel that the pub is probably the last place of refuge for me in a world fast becoming politically correct. There is an argument to say that smoking should be "exclusive" rather than "inclusive" and I feel uncomfortable with the thought that others have to breathe in my second-hand smoke without a choice in the matter.

Establishments like pubs and restaurants are for the public and all are welcome. Now, is it right to say there's a choice for people to "stay out" because of what is generally accepted as an anti-social and disgusting habit or to say all are welcome but please take a few steps outside if you want to light up if you're a smoker? It's not that inconvenient really is it?
However, there is a certain ambiguity here because smoking is still legal and as such, the establishments upholding this legislation will probably still have fag machines in their lobbies and doorways and they'll still be on sale in shops and supermarkets.

Of course, the rest of Europe will never follow.

Who's been to France? I recall seeing an American family walk into a restaurant in Nice requesting a non-smoking table. The waiter guided them over to a table sandwiched between a family group with all members smoking and a guy with a cigar.
When given a quizzical look by the Americans he simply removed the ashtray off the table and pronounced it "non fumur"...

I don't know if the law's changed recently, but the law in France certainly was that every restaurant and bar had to have a properly-ventilated no-smoking area. In practice it's largely ignored. FWIW my view is that no-smoking areas are a good thing and should be respected. Telling Parisian waiters that is probably a waste of time however. ;-)

-- Ian