Smoking Ban

GUEST48 · Post by **GUEST48** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 2:32 pm

On the 29th March, a smoking ban comes into effect in all bars, restaurants and public places in Ireland. Just wondering whereabouts you will be able to smoke outside of your own home? Also will this ban gather momentum throughout Western Europe? Perhaps Gerry can give us the lowdown on the Irish perspective.

loretta · Post by **loretta** » Fri Mar 12, 2004 7:43 pm

I for one cant wait for the ban to be introduced in London, but somehow i doubt if that will happen. It will be nice to go to a bar or restaurant without inhaleing someones second hand smoke.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 12:08 am

Agree with you 100 per cent Loretta !
Even at one of my favourite 'eateries' Colombos..we often change tables to GET AWAY from all that 'orrible smoke

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 12:41 pm

Thats fine ellie but isnt it nice to have the choice?Also remember these are irish pubs wer,e talking about,more about this later if anybody is interested,oh and by the way anybody want a bet that this will be in england within a couple of years say twenty euro.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:02 pm

I hope so Gerry!
and I take on your bet (hope Ive had enough gardening work then to pay it!

)
Though I hate smoking..we 'reformed ones' are the worse aren't we(Gave up before I went to live in Algarve!)....if folk want to smoke ..thats okay by me..but I don't wish to be anywhere near them....can't there be separate rooms in pubs/rest.etc? Or maybe go and stand on a clifftop to do it ..so its blown out to sea

I was in hospital for a week(just over year ago) for eye op. I accidently opened wrong door in ward..nurses rest room...blimey..it was like a chimney was alight ..the smoke fairly billowed out..it was awful and it stank the place out!
Sorry to be so graphic..but I do wish folk would kick the habit for their health's sake.....Im working on my daughter at moment..whos a daily puffer..but no luck so far.............

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 1:27 pm

I have never smoked but can understand up to a point how easy it can be to get hooked. But apart from the health hazzards which we all know about the smell is awful. for example, only yesterday I picked up a friends 6 yr old boy to take to school with my own boys, he got into the car and my children wanted to know what the 'awful' smell was!. it was cigarette smoke. My friends kid themselves that as they only smoke in the kitchen it won't permeate the rest of the house. I personally would feel awful if my child went into a classroom smelling of smoke.
I look forward to bars and restaurants being smoke free!

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 2:03 pm

Yes Gerry is it nice to have choice. Non smokers should be able to choose to live in a smoke free environment that does not damage their health.
I am not particularly in favour of a ban ('tho I've never smoked) as I think freedoms are too precious to be taken away without considering all the options and it may be that totally smoke free zones have to be available fon non smokers.
What about the health hazards for people who have work in smoking environments? Please don't say they should get jobs in other places as life is not that simple but they are entitled to consideration.
J

Pammie · Post by **Pammie** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 3:31 pm

Don't you think that by persecuting smokers then you are being a bit naive and just pandering to do-gooders who have caused enough harm in our country as it is?

Binge or excess alcohol consumption is far worse and just as carcinogenic as tobacco. How many of you drive cars? The pollutants in the atmosphere aren't going to disappear by banning smokers.

I enjoy going to Carv. because I can have a cigarette in peace without having some do-gooder glaring at me and I wouldnt dream of telling anyone to stop drinking after 2 glasses of wine etc.

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 4:05 pm

In a way I would agree with Pammie. I think there are alot more things in the world to worry about than breathing in a bit of smoke, sure for those who dont smoke it can be unpleasant, but you can move away quite easily, no one forces you to be in a smoke filled room. what you say about cars is also true. for those living in the big cities, the air we breath cant be good for us.

I personnally dont smoke, though im not that fussed if someone close by lights up. Therefore I think a ban on smoking isnt right. Dont you think it is a bit hypocritical to go in to a bar, drink your chosen poison, then be upset about second hand smoke? I think that bans like this take away human choice. We should be able to choose whether or not to smoke-not have the govt. tell us what to do. Again-no one is forced to breathe in second hand smoke, so maybe the smokers should be left alone, after all, they know the risks and its their choice, they dont force anybody to breath second hand smoke.

My only grievance is the amount of money tax payers have to fork out due to smoking related illness. I think if illness that is caused by the person delibratley due to smoking, they should be made to pay for the treatment. Also, smoking will never be wiped out, the govt. make to much money from it.

Matt

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 4:32 pm

Just to clarify a few points:
Why are people who are concerned about their health "do-gooders" do they not have a right to be concerned when the connction between passive smoking and cancer has been proven?
Exaggeration does not prove your case - drinking is not worse than smoking. It may not be any better but it certainly isn't worse, the difference being that having a drink beside someone does not affect their health - smoking does.
Non smokers ARE forced to inhale smoke.
I agree with point about cars - I don't drive so am not guilty in this respect.
Keep it real.

loretta · Post by **loretta** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 4:36 pm

To the people who say that nobody is forced to take in second hand smoke, well i was when i lived at home and both my parents smoked i was breathing in thier second hand smoke, when i was in my mums belly she smoked i then breathed in her second hand smoke, I had no say in the matter. Im hardly a do gooder but i think that i should have the right to go into a restaurant with my child and not be bothered by people harming my child with thier smoke. If smokers want to smoke they should have thier own restaurants/bars and not inflict thier smoke on others. I watched my dad die of lung cancer and its not a pretty sight, but he chose to smoke and he knew of the dangers of smoking, I know of the dangers of smoking but i havnt got the choice not to smoke (second hand smoke).
Matt you say that nobody forces you into a smoke filled room this is true but the room wasnt naturally full of smoke before the smokers entered it

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 5:43 pm

I have to say Im with Loretta and Tricky on this one.
As 'past' smokers...my husband was on almost 60 a day at one time..and he was a fireman during this time..sp you could say..his lungs were well & truly battered by smoke!....on looking back..we both feel guilty at smoking in the prescense of our 3 kids. My 2 sons have never smoked..and I remember well..their anxiety when their father became quite seriously ill with bronchial trouble..the doctor warned him...you won't live long at this rate(heavy smoking & stress of job),..and it was pure fear..that made him give up..I followed shortly..although I only smoked around 10 a day.
I don't like the way that 'passive smoking' is spoken of so trivially.My lovely cousin died of lung cancer..shed never smoked in her life..but her was a very heavy smoker..and I can sympathise with Loretta on this one..of seeing a loved one dying in that way..is truly awful & heart breaking.
dont use car much now....I walk or use bike.

digger · Post by **digger** » Sat Mar 13, 2004 11:03 pm

yawn

yuk

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 1:20 am

Digger..what do you mean by the above...yawn..yuk....not a smoker by any chance?

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:50 am

In all these pro and anti smoking arguments it is the figures that speak loud and clear I think. It is estimated that smoking and its associated health problems costs the health service about £1.5 billion a year. Against that revenue from tobacco is about £9.3 billion!

I think the Government are on a tightrope and can't do too much to dissuade smokers.

Live and let live is my view and I believe that enough "banning of smoking" is already in place.

Smoking Ban

Smoking Ban

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