The smoking debate

[remaha]

lynw1 said:

remaha said:

Agree with you jane72, all the more so because I still smoke.

However, I actually quite enjoy being a smoker these days. I prefer having to go outside rather than being cooped up in a 10' x 8' smoking room with no air con.

It's amazing how smokers just strike up conversations with each other these days while hanging around outside offices. You get to meet new people, hear all the latests gossip and have a good moan while you're about it.

That's true, I have spoken to loads of people and got some interesting stories/info and sometimes advice. It is not quite so easy when it is pouring with rain, windy and freezing cold though!

Thanks to global warming it hasn't been too bad round here even in the winter. But can you imagine what it'd be like if you were a smoker in somewhere like Iceland?

If I go to a non-smoking friends house these days I always go outside for a cigarette even if they say it's OK to smoke. It's become a natural reaction. We smokers are becoming well-trained.

[beajie]

I smoked for 25 years, gave up for 10, and started again 7 years ago. I really don't approve of smoking bans, and didn't when I was a non-smoker. As Jane says, we're all in far more danger from cars and their related problems, alcohol and its related problems, prescription drugs and their related problems than passive smoking. In fact the statistics on passive smoking illness are laughable - virtually no proof at all that it's a 'real' problem except for babies of very heavily smoking mums pre-and post- partum.

Currently I'm thinking of giving up the roll-ups, yet again, but the way I stopped last time was through hypnosis, and the won't do that if you're under stress, and there hasn't been a day for the last seven years when I'm not. Yet my dad died of emphysema, so I really do need to think about it at my age.

My head says I don't like being told what to do when I know there's no just cause for a rule - that's the crux of the problem! Essentially I'm a considerate libertarian with an attitude problem

[Angie]

The ban will not bother me at all as long as I can still smoke outside. They stopped it on the trains, buses etc and I for one was glad of it cos the smell used make me feel sick so it must have been awful for non and ex smokers. As regards to not smoking in pubs my mother informs me that a lot of the pubs by her have built smoking shelters for the winter

[Admin]

Interesting discussion.

I am not sure where I stand on this issue. I am still giving up smoking due to health problems, havent quite managed yet, but Ill get there.

I am not allowed to smoke in my work and it's been that way for years. We are not allowed to smoke in the staffroom either, in fact they have even banned it outside, on the college grounds. I have to laugh as there is a smoking shelter for students, but lecturers are not allowed to smoke.

I dont smoke in anyones house unless they are a smoker themselves, even if they say it's ok.

the bit that gets me is that ones "choice" is being taken away. I choose not to smoke in resturants, other peoples houses, public transport.

[lynw1]

admin said:

Interesting discussion.

I am not sure where I stand on this issue. I am still giving up smoking due to health problems, havent quite managed yet, but Ill get there.

I am not allowed to smoke in my work and it's been that way for years. We are not allowed to smoke in the staffroom either, in fact they have even banned it outside, on the college grounds. I have to laugh as there is a smoking shelter for students, but lecturers are not allowed to smoke.

I dont smoke in anyones house unless they are a smoker themselves, even if they say it's ok.

the bit that gets me is that ones "choice" is being taken away. I choose not to smoke in resturants, other peoples houses, public transport.

I agree it is about choice, and most smokers would agree to not smoke in non smokers houses or even at the table in restaurants at least until the meal is finished. The trouble is there are many smokers who are not so considerate, but these people are inconsiderate anyway, whatever the situation. This gives the rest of us a bad name etc. The trouble is, as we have seen on BBgen forum for example, once one or two people are seen to behave without consideration, the rest of that particular group is deemed to be the same. It is a question of balance.

I would like to give up, but I would rather do it through choice than to be forced into it.

[remaha]

admin said:

Interesting discussion.

I am not sure where I stand on this issue. I am still giving up smoking due to health problems, havent quite managed yet, but Ill get there.

I am not allowed to smoke in my work and it's been that way for years. We are not allowed to smoke in the staffroom either, in fact they have even banned it outside, on the college grounds. I have to laugh as there is a smoking shelter for students, but lecturers are not allowed to smoke.

I dont smoke in anyones house unless they are a smoker themselves, even if they say it's ok.

the bit that gets me is that ones "choice" is being taken away. I choose not to smoke in resturants, other peoples houses, public transport.

DT, this not being allowed to smoke outside . . . has anyone ever explained to you why that is? I've heard that in the States they have even banned smoking outside offices in certain places. I can't get my head round any of that.

[beajie]

Smoking is now banned in my football stadium. Previously we were allowed to smoke before the match and at half time. Now we have to go outside. But the stadium is in the open air?

It's silly. We had a vote on it, and given the proportions of smokers to non smokers is 4:6, that was the result of the vote. The guy next to me voted against it, because of a couple three rows in front, who smoke big ciggies at every opportunity. He could smell their smoke. He admitted he couldn't smell mine, and I stand next to him. Some of the things he shouts during the match offend me, deeply. I let it wash over me.

GRRRR!!! Some of these people really don't make sense. So it's good to get away from them at half time, and smoke outside the stadium with the libertarians. Last week we were joined by the lead singer of Kasabian. It's cool, sometimes, to be in a minority and away from the voice of rigid unreason!

If I manage to give up, I'll still join the protest smokers outside at half time, because essentially that's my soul-group,

[bubblegum32]

I too am a smoker and can see the point of a barring smoking in some public places, but as a tax paying adult I should have the choice of whether to go to a smoking or non smoking establishment, that way if you don't want to be surrounded by smokers then you have the rightnot too, but where are the rights of smokers?

The part that got me about the smoking ban was when it was mentioned that there are no plans as yet to ban smoking in your own home. Excuse me but I am paying for my home I will do what I like in it. How would they propose to police this anyway?

[Admin]

[/quote]

DT, this not being allowed to smoke outside . . . has anyone ever explained to you why that is? I've heard that in the States they have even banned smoking outside offices in certain places. I can't get my head round any of that.[/quote]

No just not allowed. In the states it is difficult to find a place to smoke . I know that my sister has banned her staff from smoking in the street. God she hard and an ex smoker too, but she says it looks bad.

[wonderdog]

[quote author=beajie board=discussion thread=1157542167 If I manage to give up, I'll still join the protest smokers outside at half time, because essentially that's my soul-group, [/quote]

I'm really starting to feel part of a club with other smokers now. Whenever I pass an office block or public building, I feel a real sense of solidarity with the poor fumieres huddled outside.

It would be ironic if this camaraderie led to a decline in the numbers of people giving up.