Pubs haven't shut cos of the smoking ban mate, it's cos the likes of Asda and Tesco's are offering packs of lager/beer for buttons. Just recently got 3 x 18 packs of Stellar for ã18 in Asda, how mental is that? that's 56 bottles of Stella @ 32p a bottle. OK so you don't get the same craic listening to your lass bitching on about you watching too much footy, I'm not even saying i agree with it but this is one of the reasons mate.
I think it's one thing on top of another meself. Three years ago, you had the choice of cheap booze at home or going to the pub with your mates. Now, you have the choice of cheap booze at home or going to the pub where your smoking mates won't be. It's all just adding up.
It's alright saying that you could have smoking and non-smoking areas within pubs, but the trouble is that the smoke will not respect the boundary lines. Also, the health of the bar staff has to be considered, and that is probably the main reason why you can't have inside smoking areas. However, the good news for smokers is that more and more pubs are building outside sheltered areas with patio heaters to make life more comfortable for them...
cigarette smoke is just burning leaves FFS.....not some toxic gas. Don't believe everything the health zealots in the government tell you about passive smoking. Study the facts for yourself....It's all ONE BIG LIE!!!
Your point around smoke not respecting boundary lines, is well made, so smoking and non smoking pubs...simples. Smoke affecting the health of bar staff? I wasn't aware that this occupation was exclusively the preserve of non-smokers, surely this is an act of outright discrimination and we should vote the PC/here's your dodi/nanny state brigade back... NOT!! Sheltered areas!?!? There are rules (imposed by the same bleedin' heart pc health mob) that describe "enclosed areas" and what can and can't be built - try them when the wind and rain blows - also try getting larger structures through the planning process!! If smoking is SOOOOOOO Bad for everyone, why has it not been banned?? Because it brings a massive surplus of income to any government. Have smoking and non smoking pubs, it's called CHOICE. Perhaps a foreign concept to some?
When smoking was allowed in pubs I was a non smoker (gave up in '68) but when I came home the missus would remark that I stunk of cigarette smoke. My point is that the effluent from your habit gets all over me. My habit is a few pints and we all know what the effluent of that is. How would you like it if I came up to you and pissed all over you!!!
Smoking and non smoking pubs eliminate that issue? Wouldn't feel too secure about the future where we can all drink either. I/you/we might feel that 4 or 5 pints before/during/after a match is ok, but bet the "health brigade" regard this as binge drinking. Get ready for alcohol ration books. They are on a roll, so watch out everyone!!
Well written post Bill. I haven't been in a pub since the smoking ban was introduced. I smoke Havana cigars which last about an hour and 40 minutes, so standing outside isn't an option for me. I only have one drink in the clubhouse after a round of golf and rarely drink at home. I used to go to the pub most nights and Sunday lunchtimes but no more. Most people find the smell of Havanas pleasant but I am lumped in with the *** smokers by the "one size - fits all, pc nanny brigade". As you say, Bill, it's a matter of choice, but smokers seem to have very little despite contributing large amounts in taxation. Both my local pubs have since closed!!
I see that Blair has had a couple of mentions, and the nanny brigade, too. I wouldn't be an apologist for either - the very thought makes me cringe! However, what I would say is that this isn't a matter exclusive to us, and is very much an internationational one. As I understand it most, if not all, of the "civilised world" has bans in place, or in train. Some seem more Draconian than ours, some less. The one part of the ban that I do find absolutely ludicrous revolves around railway stations, where there is a blanket ban. There are numerous stations in this country which are literally in the middle of the countryside, even in fields, yet they are no-smoking areas, the same as an enclosed station in the capital. Can't see the sense in that. Whatever, I think these bans are here to stay and will, if anything, become more widespread. It is the way of the world.
Wouldn't a door with a spring on it work pretty well? As far as bar staff health is concerned, a publican once told me "I very rarely get an application from a non-smoker anyway - they tend to prefer restaurants. All my recent staff have smoked". I think that was mostly a red herring dreamt up by ASH for their own selfish purposes.
When did they tell you that though, Cutey? A lot more people have given up in the four years since you've been in a pub!!
Couple of years ago. You could be right. I'm not so sure it was right in 2007 when ASH used it though. Rokereconomic : I agree entirely about your clothes. Some change was necessary - open plan pubs forced my smoke on you and that wasn't right. My gripe is it was so badly done. If you didn't agree with ASH, you could stand out in the snow - that was no sort of answer to the problem. I think maybe you and I could sit around a table and, in twenty minutes, come up with something more sensible and civilised than the way it was done. All it takes is a bit of mutual respect, and you've got mine. To change the subject a bit : can anyone tell me how the SoL, with a 100 yard hole in the roof, is an "enclosed public place" please? That one just defeats me. Smoke rises, right? So how big does a hole in the roof have to be?
Just remember the human cost to families... My father in law died HORRIBLY at 59 with Lung Cancer - 50 a day man My mother died horribly at 69 with Emphysema - 40 a day My friend died horribly at 70 with Lung Cancer - Chain Smoker Yes, it was their own choice .... but they each in their own way brought anger, sorrow and distress upon those left...
All deaths carry a human cost to families. I'm sorry about those people you mention. But if they'd never smoked and died of old age, are you saying you wouldn't have felt the same sorrow and distress? Death happens, and I think we miss smokers and non-smokers pretty much alike when it does.
yeah....we all know what the "effluent" of a a few pints is! Have a dodge down to A&E any friday night and just see how many are in due to "a few pints"....and how many are in due to passive smoking. P.S. If someone next to me is farting all night, I move somewhere else....easy. If you don't like someone smoking beside you...move away.
