Glad to be a Non Smoker

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
10/07/2008 18:36

Just read in my local paper that two more pubs are to close claiming the smoking ban had had a bad effect on them and the cost of providing heating for those smoking outside is proving too expensive.

The local council is now looking at the *smoking shelters* to check that they meet the required standards and will advise the owners how to comply with the law.

Last year a survey was carried out to check the number of cigarette ends on the streets of the town, another one has been carried out and surprise, surprise, there are now more cigarette ends on the streets so they are providing 1000 ashtrays for pubs to distribute to their customers who go outside to smoke.

I smoked for many years, and enjoyed it too, but ill health forced me to quit, I,m glad I did, the stress of going out for a glass of wine and hoping to enjoy a cigarette without being treated like a leper or worse would prove all too much for me.

I do appreciate the lack of smoke in pubs but surely smokers deserve a bit of consideration too, I have a neighbour who is 76 years old and fit as a fiddle though he worked in the mines for forty odd year. The bright spot of his week was to pop off to the pub for a pint and a ciggy while his good lady wife cooked Sunday lunch, he doesn,t go anymore as he refuses to stand outside in all weathers, what a great pity that is for someone of his age.

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
10/07/2008 18:59

its a great post ,or is it ?



you see as a none smoker i have been forced to smell like an old ashtray everytime i went for a quiet drink .



i have seen many uncaring smokers just light up in the middle of a dining room,not really bothering if they offend you or not ,as "its our rights " to smoke etc etc .(even with kids in )



then of course the pub game being tough may also have something to do with the pubs ripping the public off for years on soft drinks and bottles at 300% mark up from a supermarket .



the good pubs with good service and food and a landlord that doesnt have all the local blurts in will survive im sure .



it ia shame of the older geneartion and that i do hope they could get a compromise ,i feel if the pub serves food then a total ban .if it doesnt then a smoking room and none smoking room would be good .



take care



kav

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
10/07/2008 19:10

Hi Kav,

I totally agree with you, until I stopped smoking I didn,t realise how bloody awful it smells and even when I was a smoker I was disgusted at the lack of consideration some smokers showed to other people.

But I do feel like you that pubs that do not serve food should provide a smoking room, perhaps the government who benefits from all the tax paid on ciggies could give grants for adequate extractors to the publicans who provide this facility.



Hattikins

Graham


Joined: 20/10/2007
Posts: 397

Message Posted:
10/07/2008 19:18

Surely the best way would have been to let the landlord decide if he wanted a smoking or none smoking pub then the smokers go to one and non smokers to the other, all parties happy.



Graham

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
10/07/2008 22:54

I thought the non smoking ban was brought in to discourage people from smoking at all and according to the latest figures it is working. Having lost my brother at 51 and my motherinlaw at 69 within a week of each other through smoking related illnesses. I am for any rule that discourages it. For every healthy elderly smoker, there are three more who are in hospital with smoke related complaints. I gave up smoking 25 years ago and like a lot of people didn't realise how bad my clothes and hair smelt before I gave up. I cannot wait for this ban to be enforced in the TRNC and then maybe I can enjoy my visits to local restaurants without constantly having to move from customers who light up without any thought to the people on the next table.



The Butlers wife.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
11/07/2008 07:09

I do not know what it is, may be the cost but there is a huge proportion of people from the UK here who smoke like chimmneys. I am sure some came to live here because of the restictions elsewhere in the world.



They will however be disappointed soon as the no smoking rules start to bit, only taken 12 years for the law on no smoking to start to be enforced. Some bars have already enforced no smoking bans inside.



I have never smoked and am a supporter of the non smoking lobby. In fact I go so far as saying that smokers should not be treated on the NHS after their first session in hospital and they still act against clinicians advice.



Other side of the argument, while it is not illegal to smoke then smokers do have rights under civil liberites c**p the same as anyone else. If a bar/restaurant provides a suitable area for smokers that is fine by me. If I choose to go in that area to join friends that is my right too. However if the smoke goes into the non smoking area then the smoking MUST be stopped.



It is an individuals right to act under the laws of the land so if someone does not like smoking then avoid places where you know you will be affected. There are subtle and unsubtle ways of dealing with most things, I like the old response to objectionable smoker - "I won't object to you smoking as long as you do not object to my far***g"!!!!!!

glw215


Joined: 02/04/2008
Posts: 178

Message Posted:
11/07/2008 07:53

'NON SMOKING BAN', quoting the butlers wife.



Ban it!! My grandfather died aged 91 and I have always suspected his premature death was due to his pipe smoking habit. My father is now 85 and I think he will go shortly too - I suspect due to a passive smoking related illness.

Could we also ban over eating and perfume? - my clothes stink of it in the morning.

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
11/07/2008 08:13

as a member of the medical profession , i have to say it has to be the no smoking rule for me too , i've seen too many people die from smoking and just as many people struggling to breathe with respiritory problems from it , hardly quality of life ! as it's been said before perhaps there should be smoking and non smoking areas , not ideal , but perhaps necessary { not that i agree it }

simbas

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
11/07/2008 13:09

Hi glw215



I guess you must be addicted to this horrible weed and close contact with perfumed females, maybe both at once lol.



The Butlers wife.

Aussie


Joined: 17/06/2007
Posts: 657

Message Posted:
12/07/2008 16:28

I never understand all this winging about smokers rights. Non smokers have long been the majority in much of the developed world (in Australia more than 70% of adults are non smokers) and I don't see why there rights came last for so long.



Over time (possibly with the exception of the TRNC) smoker numbers are declining.



The biggest favour we can do smokers is encourage them to give up by reducing their exposure to smoking environments like pubs and restaurants etc.



Aussie

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
13/07/2008 01:05

simbas: "...as a member of the medical profession..."



Are you a doctor?

Reproman


Joined: 05/06/2008
Posts: 252

Message Posted:
13/07/2008 01:37

I hate smoking and people who smoke.

Banning it in public places was long over due.



Who remembers when people used to smoke on trains, buses and even on the tube! what was that all about!



Can you imagine getting on a packed central line now, in rush hour and people smoking! It 'only' took the great Kings Cross fire to put a stop to it....in years to come people will look back and think how disgusting it was that people were allowed to smoke in places where food was eaten too.



This isnt about people 'rights', thats bull crap. Smoking is both a fire hazard and is proven to effect non smokers health too. Therefore it should be banned in all public places.



until they invent a way of smoking with out any 'smoke' or a flame, then it should remain banned.





And as for pubs with smoking and non smoking, or resturants for smokers/non smokers...where will that get us?

a divided society?



How about a NHS for smokers and non smokers....thought you wouldnt like that!

Repro.

Troodo


Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1002

Message Posted:
13/07/2008 08:12

70% should give 30% no rights? Know where have I heard that before?



Troodo

Happy to live in the safe area.

northernlad2


Joined: 19/12/2007
Posts: 150

Message Posted:
13/07/2008 12:45

hi all

In the process of becoming a non smoker after 20 years 4 weeks in and family only just speaking to me lol

oh and started when i became a student nurse . So knowing what it does to you will not put you off.

I have to say i am realising the benifits , but go easy on the smokers its not that easy to stop.

I dont have a problem with separate smoking areas , we are all adults and should have a choice .



sarah

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
13/07/2008 14:14

How about an NHS for druggies and boozers, I,ve known many a fight etc to be caused by having one more pint or one more snort but never because someone had one more ciggy. Smokers are human beings as well and to hate someone because they smoke seems a bit drastic, by all means hate the habit, but the person !!!!!!

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
13/07/2008 14:21

I honestly believe that the reason alot of pubs are closing is due to the price of alcohol.Like petrol we are taxed to the hilt on it,

Paul.

Reproman


Joined: 05/06/2008
Posts: 252

Message Posted:
13/07/2008 14:50

Troodo -



how can smoking be compared to the Cyprus issue?... stirring up debate at every chance you get eh? loser





"How about an NHS for druggies and boozers" why not!

Anyone who persists on binge drinking, taking drugs, or even eating a really bad diet should pay excess on the NHS. And take off the strain on the system to deal with other natural dieseases.



If you can afford lines of cocaine, 20 cigs a day, binge drinking at the weekend and fast food every day....YOU CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH CARE!!



Put that on the front of a packet of Silk cut!





why should people who insist on sticking a cancer stick in there mouths be treated on the NHS when other non smokers have to wait for cancer treatmentor other cures? how is this fair?



Why should the emergency rooms be packed at night from binge drinkers and drug over doses while kids are waiting to be treated or elderly cant get an ambulance on time? how is that fair?



And before anyone says that the tax collected on smoking more than pays for the NHS then why is the NHS in such a poor state? its obvioulsy not enough to cover the costs and resources used to treat smoking related illnesses.

Troodo


Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1002

Message Posted:
13/07/2008 20:12

Reproman,

It does not matter what the issue is, it is the mentality of the sanctimonious bigots that try to force their personal views on any minority that I call to question. And you call me a loser?



Troodo

Happy to live in the safe area.

Aussie


Joined: 17/06/2007
Posts: 657

Message Posted:
14/07/2008 12:49

The way it was before the minority forced its views on the majority, even one smoker in a room causes it to stink of smoke and getting in your clothes and hair which smells for hours after.



If you could smoke only harming yourself say by injecting something or taking a tablet I would say go ahead and enjoy it anywhere. The reality of the situation was if you wanted to go out in the past to most bars nightclubs etc you had to put up with the smoke as a non smoker.



As a compromise I favour smokers going outside or if circumstances permit creating a small fully separated smoking room.



Aussie

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
14/07/2008 13:35

I see wee groups of smokers standing outside pubs & to me they seem

happy & it seems a bit of a social thing, chatting etc. I was subjected to passive smoking as a child: both parents smoked (father almost non-stop) &

I was very asthmatic, but there was no info. on the dangers at the time. I have

never smoked & at almost 68 am in good health, have good skin, few wrinkles

& lead a very active life. Don't need any medics. except occasional inhaler.

Have just returned from TRNC & have noticed that so many Brits. light up inside

bars/pubs/restaurants without a thought for anyone sitting beside them.

If non-smokers are in the majority by far, I would think that many, like me, will have been put off going to places where smoking is allowed. I am much more

inclined to go to eat/drink out now that it is banned back here, but can only

enjoy this pleasure outside in TRNC (and as far from smokers as possible!)

I do not believe that smoking ban has forced pubs to close. There should be

smoking lounges for those who can't, or won't give up. But even then, we have to think of the workers in these places who have to serve, clean the

smoke filled premises, and part of the ban was for their sakes too.

matula


Joined: 07/07/2008
Posts: 647

Message Posted:
14/07/2008 16:09

In South Africa where I lived for over 30 years a smoking ban was introduced in restuarants in 1998 with the proviso that the restuarant had to provide a glassed off area with its own air conditioning and ventilation system to cater for smokers. If a 3rd world country (as people in UK seemed to delight in telling meI lived in one) can do this why not the centre of the earth (UK) do it?

It works for me!

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
14/07/2008 17:04

I have to say as a reformed pipe smoker of oh almost 6 months, that I'm so pleased with myself at giving up (hypnotherapy in case you are wondering). I no longer feel like a leper, smell like sh*t nor am I that craving addict who can't wait to light up and dreading that plane journey without nicotine.

Here in the UK the smoking ban has been accepted with little criticism, more one of relief by the majority. Even though it has only been a short time since the ban the attitude seems to be one of incredability that you used to be able to smoke inside buildings, rather like we would think of smoking on airplanes or the underground as mentioned earlier. I am sure that the same will eventually happen in NC. I know some restuarants have no smoking areas already. In fact I think it is already an offence to smoke in buildings, it is just not being enforced. For me a smoke free environment especially in restaurants makes eating out much more pleasurable.

Martin

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
14/07/2008 18:05

coming home from a night out at the pub and not stinking is great. a long standing argument between my husband and i . is how he smells when he used to come in on a friday night reeking of fags. i have never been a smoker. so don't understand peoples opposing views on the subject. i am just glad i can hang my coat in the wardrobe and no stink.

and i doo think the price of alcohol has a lot to do with pubs closing, not just the smoking bans.