Well done for that, my Mum gave up at about the same time. What I really don't understand is asthmatics who smoke. My AD used to (until he became a Dad) and there was someone at Uni who I actually called a hypocrite for being an asthmatic who smoked. Probably a bit strong in retrospect, but it might have made her think.
Yikes... didn't realise what I'd started here. I'll continue the debate in nsfw tags, but I don't want to dominate the nest. [nsfw]I applaud anyone who decides that smoking is no longer for them, as it's unquestionably an unhealthy habit. But the key word there is decides: it is a person's choice in a nominally free country to do as they please. To respond to Aberdeen, provided you are taking care not to blow smoke at other people, smoking on the street is less selfish/a lesser evil than publicly being under the influence of behavioral drugs such as heroin, cocaine or alcohol, or indeed murdering other living beings for no other reason than gratification. The financial arguments are simply false: the drugs mentioned in the previous paragraph costs the country money, as does saturated fat. Tobacco is not merely self-funding. If we are looking at money alone, it pays for itself several times over (and that's even before taking into account the argument that as smokers die younger, they don't cost the state as much by living longer). As a pollutant, it is more efficiently taxed than air travel. Frankly, absolutely nothing is taxed at a higher percentage than tobacco: 80% before the latest rise. As I said previously, while I would like to pay less, I don't have an in-principle problem with that. If there are people that truly smoke to the extent that they can't afford to eat (or even worse, feed their kids), we can take comfort in the knowledge that they'll die of starvation soon, and/or their kids will be taken into care and get better parents. If the state does have to pick up the cost, it can be confident that the person responsible has unwittingly paid a good whack of it. Don't get me wrong, I do agree with the smoking ban in indoor public places, because second hand smoke in a concentrated place is an unacceptable health hazard to non-smokers (albeit smell wise I'd sooner put up with smoke than feet). Events that specifically apply for an exemption aside (for instance music festivals on private land that choose to allow it), I wouldn't have any in principle objection to extending the ban to parks, off road footpaths and the like, because it's reasonable to assume that someone in those places is going out of their way to avoid the hazards of modern life. What I have a problem with is measures that don't make a positive difference. Measures which at best achieve nothing other than give smokers a random kicking, and at worse are self defeating. Hiding cigarettes away? It will make them more attractive to rebellious teenagers. Banning smoking on the streets? Do me a favour. It's the 100s of fat lazy bastards that pass you in gas guzzlers doing a three mile round trip who are more likely to kill you, directly and environmentally. And pound for pound they're contributing less to the economy in compensation than the smoker on the other side of the road. Anyone parent negligent enough to knowingly subject their children to the considerable risk of early death by walking them across the road, or to walk them on the pavement alongside the aforementioned fatties without giving them a gas mask, is in no position to lecture others on morality. Any voter who went for anyone other than the Green party hasn't got a leg to stand on environmentally, because clearly it isn't that big a priority for them. Any driver of any vehicle for any reason (even the electric ones, unless that electricity happens to come from green energy), same again. The other issue is that there is only one way to truly get rid of tobacco, as we already know from current class A drugs. On top of criminalisation, to enforce it you need a state that is so totalitarian that the law cannot possibly be broken. North Korea and die at 90 or a more or less free country and probably only make it to 75 or 80? I know what I'd pick?[/nsfw]
Morning all, why does it feel like a Sunday today playing on a Friday really does throw you somewhat! Oh well onwards till Monday (memo to self, not tomorrow) and 3 points at the expense of Baadiff and MM!
Góðan daginn til allra. Cappuccino, coffee, tea donuts and fruit are on the bar. I was happy to see the YRL was successful on the first day. I did not enjoy working yesterday and with my computer not working properly also did not put me in good humour. With Watford losing and Frú Ak serving fish for dinner I was a Ãsbjörn with no selur. I must be one of the few here who does not enjoy fish.
I have a big day ahead of trying to get technology to behave as it should be.....then out for a beer and a ruby. One of my local drinking establishments is now also a curry house!
Evening all, i'd like some please Under an hour to go till our game on sky with Florist and scared ****less with Coventry currently winning lol
Looks like they're definitely stuck with us, after losing today (unless they have a miracle in the last few minutes)...gotta laugh I agree about the money, it's massive money now! But i do think you're quite unusual in that BB. I think most ex-smokers have the odd moment, years later, when they crave..even if it only lasts a few moments...i don't know any that don't get it...(apart from you ) Well said NNW, gotta agree with most of that Drink loads hon, and good luck!
I'll drown your sorrows with you Red - things are looking grim for you. I'm currently on a knife's edge following Heineken Cup quarter final - Edinburgh hanging on to a two point lead against Toulouse, big upset on the cards.
Can you play them every week? Coventry is normally a decent away trip for us (the trip, if not always the football), and on the other hand it would be nice to get rid of Forest for a few more years.
Evening all - back from a very decent Chicken Dhansak.....Little Miss W_Y has decided to go clubbing down in bandit central - I have given her a firm warning not to wind any dirty scummers up about their dire performance against Braintree, I don't want Mrs w_Y to have go bail her out of bandit central nick... again!
Hello all. Im back. I have a very sore throat from yesterday after some ref abuse. The best bit had to be the ref and his assistants asking the stewards for an escort from the ground to their car. Were they scared of the 20 (max) fans outside the ground?? I got a load of autographs to post, i am glad i got Ollie before the game. Big Chris was disappointed with the officials, TK did not have anything to say about the pen, but the biggest shock was Eustace saying that he thought the officials were about as good as the team. I have added the pics of the autographs i got to this album. Feel free to check them out. http://www.not606.com/album.php?albumid=535
time for bed for me. I'm trying to post some pics i took of the Red Lion, but they're not posting for some reason...tried twice at the game, and again now, very odd. Will try again tomorrow. Sweet dreams all, i'm working tomorrow so will see you when i see you nighty night.
Good Morning all on this sunny Easter Morning. I hope that whatever you are doing you have a good day. We are going off to my daughters for lunch, along with her brother and sister in law and their children. My son in law is providing some Belgian beers and I have some rather decent wine as my offering. This evening we have to pack for our trip into the frozen north tomorrow. The traffic so far this weekend has not been too bad as it seems that many people have not gone away this year.
