Smoking Ban - Is it right? - [Closes 13/08/07]

[---MAD---]

The UK under went a smoking ban a few days ago. Do you think other countries should do this as well? Do you think its right or do you think it violates human rights? Will this help smokers quit smoking or make things worse?

Happy debating :).

[Mentor]

Killing people via second hand smoke is a greater violtaion of human rights than takeing away someones freedom to smoke.
In the same way its illegal to stop on yellow lights, but running down children instead of stopping is still a greater crime.

Plus quite a number of other countarys already have such bans in place, we were hardly the first to impliment it, even within the Uk itself.

[Mr.OSH]

Yes the smoking ban is right it is best for everyone and future generations. If people do not smoke publicly it will not be seen as acceptable in communities and will not encourage people to do it in the same way. Also allot of people are likely to stop if the places they can smoke are limited. It stops people from doing it in the future and conserves the health of some of those who smoke and those who used to visit places were allot of people smoked.

[jackass]

Smoking ban is one of the best things this goverment has done in a long time. End of. :8

[Hecktix]

Agreed with above.

The reason I don't smoke, is I dont want to die in a very painful way of lung cancer or another smoking related disease.

So if someone inflicts that upon me, and I die... i may as well have smoked in the first place.

Smokers are murderers. Second hand smoke is their weapon.

Sorry to offend anybody, but when Hitler gased people, it was called murder, well infact it was "Crimes against Humanity"; so why should you get away with gassing us?

[LOLROB]

yes it is good its banned here

BUT i dont think some other country will do it
because thats where we get are tabacoo from
and i would not think they would do it there

but you never know

it is a good thing

[beth]

yes & no. firstly, i do believe it's a good thing because of the whole second hand smoke issue. people who don't smoke don't deserve to have to sit through it, and get ill over it.
but i think no because one of the main ideas of implementing the ban that was it would inconviene people who wanted to smoke; so they would quit. however, from what i've seen this isn't the case. smokers get their own sheds and stuff outside now, and they're quite happy to be there since they avoid (quoted from my dad) "the whinging none smokers." from what i can see, it's not really cutting down on smokers, which i imagined that is what they wanted to do because it'd bring the nhs costs down. so i don't see the point.

[HabboIsKrouts]

Put it this way, i don't want to get Cancer because some other idiots choose to smoke infront of me..? Great ban. :)

[luke-p]

Its right, its much better going into a cafe and not having to cope with the smell of smoke, its a dirty smell.

[Dj_dude007]

Smoking ban is one of the best things this goverment has done in a long time. End of. :8

No, it isn't 'end of' as you have not considered both sides to the story.

As a smoker, I think the ban is ridulously pointless. We are supposed to live in a 'free country' however the rules and regulations are now proving that we do not.

One thing that I don't agree with, is smoking in a pub/restaurant when people are eating which is fair enough, however before the ban, places had designated areas for smokers which worked fine. I agree, that 2nd hand smoke is a problem however surely there ways of dealing with it.

People will soon begin to realise that the ban is annoying when their taxes goes up. I can't wait for that.

[Mentor]

No, it isn't 'end of' as you have not considered both sides to the story.

As a smoker, I think the ban is ridulously pointless. We are supposed to live in a 'free country' however the rules and regulations are now proving that we do not.
So you think we should all have the freedom to go out and stab, kill and rape people, for the uk to be considered a free country? Which in real terms isnt much different to what smoking in public places is actually doing... Killing people.
Its a MUCH greater violation of someones freedom to kill them, than it is to prevent them from killing others.


One thing that I don't agree with, is smoking in a pub/restaurant when people are eating which is fair enough, however before the ban, places had designated areas for smokers which worked fine.
Not really, air is in a habbit of moveing around, a sign above a certain area really doesnt have much effect on stoping the smoke wofting everywhere anyway.
Although personally im not fully in agreement with the Ban, as i think it goes to far. I think it should be up to the Owner of the resterant to choose weather or not they wish to permit smokeing, then if people want to smoke when they eat, go on a place that allows it, if people want to avoide smoke, go to a place that doesnt. which to me makes alot more sence and puts more freedom in the hands of people rather than the nanny state.




people will soon begin to realise that the ban is annoying when their taxes goes up. I can't wait for that.
Actually i expect quite the oppersit, when you consider upwards of 60% of the NHS's is to do with smokers, if the number of smokers goes down, so will the costs of running the NHS which will result in much less tax "/

[Liam!]

yes & no. i'm probably not really bothered because most of my family(mum's side) are smokers.

Smoking ban is one of the best things this goverment has done in a long time. End of. :8
How the hell is it 'End of'? Because it's your opinion? ;s

I think you're very unlikely do die from passive smoke either btw.

[Virgin Mary]

Yes because it stinks. I'm not bothered about passive smoking or anything but it's just horrible when you walk past one and smell it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_smoking are good reasons too.

[GommeInc]

It's a good idea and a bad idea. You get ratty smokers moaning is one minor problem, BUT you get the problem of pubs now smelling of pee, sick, alcohol and old people, but that's probably the natural smell of a pub anyway. Also, don't most palces have designated areas anyway? You can smoke outside, but not in a small environment. I think I read somewhere that you can only smoke in an area that is not walled in more than 50%.

[joshuar]

It is a mixed thing really.

Pubs do smell quite rank without smoke to be honest, seems to have lost its auroma, but then some people never liked it, which adds to a reason for the ban.

However, what seems to have happened now is that people have taken to smoke outside the front of the pub, so when you walk past the pub you choke on the smoke, and the front of the pub is covered in cigarette butts. I dunno how many pubs this has happened to, but I know of 2 around my area, most people do now smoke in the Pub Garden should it have a decent one.

To be able to smoke I think if it has 3 walls it's illegal (which explains why bus shelters aren't) and needs to be 50% open.

[jackass]

How the hell is it 'End of'? Because it's your opinion? ;s

I think you're very unlikely do die from passive smoke either btw.

I, for one, have asthma.

Last year I had an almost fatal asthma attack from passive smoking in a pub, and I am very thankful for the ban.

I said 'end of' for the fact that its the best thing that the goverment has done in a while, not all the goods and bads of the actual ban.

[Browney]

I think you're very unlikely do die from passive smoke either btw.

That is what this ban is completely about. :P

[Liam!]

I know lol. But when I looked at the amount of people that die yearly from passive smoking, then look at how many people live in England / UK then it's unlikely that you'd die from it.

i'm probably wrong & talking crap.




That is what this ban is completely about. :P

[brapp]

yes it is right.

[DiscoPat]

couldnt care less

[---MAD---]

I can't stand the smell for smoking. Its nasty and I always look at the smoker feeling pitty for them. There is no reason to smoke and hopefully the ban will reduce the number of people that smoke. It just causes health problems in long run and problems I would prefer not to have.

Smoking is pretty much like asking to die sooner but a whimps way out as they don't want to feel pain :P.

[DJ-Vimto]

As a Smoker, I think its only fair to show my point of view on this, i know DJ_Dude has already posted, but it is becoming a bit one sided.

I know many smokers will not agree with the ban, particularly where pubs, clubs and bars are concerned because it will mean standing outside, and if its not sheltered then it means getting wet when it rains :P

I personally agree with the ban, since the news of the ban coming into force started getting broadcasted in the media, it has made me think more and more about quitting, as well as the damage I have been doing to myself and people around me.


I do agree with a point that one person made, can't remember who it was, about the club/bar/restaurant owners having the choice as to whether or not smoking should be permitted. Although there can be complications with that I know, I won't bore you going through them :P



All in all, I DO support the ban, however I think that it needs looking at and revising, because the only part I do not agree with is the complete ban in all public places etc.

[---MAD---]

As a Smoker, I think its only fair to show my point of view on this, i know DJ_Dude has already posted, but it is becoming a bit one sided.

I know many smokers will not agree with the ban, particularly where pubs, clubs and bars are concerned because it will mean standing outside, and if its not sheltered then it means getting wet when it rains :P

I personally agree with the ban, since the news of the ban coming into force started getting broadcasted in the media, it has made me think more and more about quitting, as well as the damage I have been doing to myself and people around me.


I do agree with a point that one person made, can't remember who it was, about the club/bar/restaurant owners having the choice as to whether or not smoking should be permitted. Although there can be complications with that I know, I won't bore you going through them :P



All in all, I DO support the ban, however I think that it needs looking at and revising, because the only part I do not agree with is the complete ban in all public places etc.
Yeah its surprised people moan about going outside to smoke. If its that much of a problem, why go outside and smoke? Why not stay inside and socialise with your friend?

When you go home, smoke all you like. Over time, people will get used to it and probably start to quit which is a very good improvement.

[Shawnstra]

I think it is right. It should be against the law to "kill" someone, or shorten someone's life, or cause any irritation to anyone in a public place. A public place should be enjoyable for everyone to be in, and should not be spoilt by the smoke from cigarettes, which can be very irritable to some. Further more, it can encourage people to stop smoking, which can be a good effect from this ban too. However, they should, like some people have said, revise this ban. Like build smoking rooms around the country, etc.

Btw off topic: Usually on the bus, when its crowded, I would have to sit beside someone. No offense to smokers, but if the person I sit beside is a heavy smoker, it would become quite unbearable for me :(

[Dj_dude007]

Smoking ban is one of the best things this goverment has done in a long time. End of. :8

Your minus rep was quite pathetic just because I smoke. There is a reason that I smoke, and that it helps me calm down when feeling stressed and I also enjoy the social side to it. -Awaits comments that smoking doesn't help with stress-, anybody who says that obviously haven't experienced it themselves.

[CaptainAce.]

Yes it is good but you know everyone has their opinions :eusa_danc

[Browney]

Your minus rep was quite pathetic just because I smoke. There is a reason that I smoke, and that it helps me calm down when feeling stressed and I also enjoy the social side to it. -Awaits comments that smoking doesn't help with stress-, anybody who says that obviously haven't experienced it themselves.

Surely it only helps with stress if you're already addicted? Or am I talking rubbish? :P

[Mexel]

Agreed with above.
Smokers are murderers. Second hand smoke is their weapon.

Sorry to offend anybody, but when Hitler gased people, it was called murder, well infact it was "Crimes against Humanity"; so why should you get away with gassing us?

:S That is harsh. Hitler gased people to kill them. People smoke because its what there body needs. Most people start smoking at a young age when they dont know what there doing and then they get hooked to it. So 2bh there not murdering anybody ;l.

But i agree with the smoking ban =]

[Rizter]

Well i don't see the difference between second hand smoke and man slaughter to be honest. You are damaging someones health, unwillingly perhaps, but the effect is still the same.

[Matt,]

:S That is harsh. Hitler gased people to kill them. People smoke because its what there body needs. Most people start smoking at a young age when they dont know what there doing and then they get hooked to it. So 2bh there not murdering anybody ;l.

But i agree with the smoking ban =]

There body didnt need them to start smoking they made the choice themself because they continued there body now relies on it but most of the time people can quit they just choose not to try

Ok maby there not murdering they are still harming other people by smoking. If someone came up and punched you in the street they arnt murdering you but they are still harming you and they would get in trouble for it... So smoking in public places is harming people why shouldnt it be stopped?

[-Soph-]

It's right, I can't see why smokers can't smoke in their home/outside, it doesn't hurt them.

[lAdmire]

I think it'll help smokers quit smoking. By smokers smoking in public, it's causing lots of people health problems which is not right. I think that the smoking ban can make a change and stop people from smoking.

The thing I don't understand is, why are they selling cigarettes? Instead of banning them from public places, ban them in all. I know people will still smoke it, but the numbers will drop dramatically.

By smokers smoking in public places, lots of people are dying from lung cancer when they didn't do anything but breathe. I think smoking should be kept in homes.

[jrh2002]

I dont smoke and think its a good idea apart from in pubs and clubs where it should be up to the owner if they want to allow it and the staff shouldnt go for a job there if they want to work in a smoke free place.
It should be our choice if you go in a smoking or non smoking bar/club

I will give you some of the good and bad points (my opinion)

Good.
Your not breathing in smoke in the pub.
Your clothes dont smell like you have just drove your car in to glasgow airport.
It has stopped quite a few people i know smoking

Bad.
All the smokers now smell really bad because its not in the air in the pub to disguise the smell on them.
The streets are full of people looking like tramps blocking the paths up.
Pubs where kids were only allowed in the gardens now have to sit surrounded by all the smokers from the pub.
The streets are being filled with f.ag ends. this filter is annoying.

I and many other non smokers seem to be sitting/standing in the gardens of pubs with friends who smoke because the pubs are really empty inside.

I could go on and on but i doubt the law will be reversed or altered.

[:Hazel]

i think its brilliant & when i go to pubs/clubs now my hair and clothes dont smell and i dont feel as bad because im not inhaling the crap someone else is smoking. i love it :)

[Pitch]

I can't stand the smell for smoking. Its nasty and I always look at the smoker feeling pitty for them. There is no reason to smoke and hopefully the ban will reduce the number of people that smoke. It just causes health problems in long run and problems I would prefer not to have.

Smoking is pretty much like asking to die sooner but a whimps way out as they don't want to feel pain :P.


I think it is right. It should be against the law to "kill" someone, or shorten someone's life, or cause any irritation to anyone in a public place. A public place should be enjoyable for everyone to be in, and should not be spoilt by the smoke from cigarettes, which can be very irritable to some. Further more, it can encourage people to stop smoking, which can be a good effect from this ban too. However, they should, like some people have said, revise this ban. Like build smoking rooms around the country, etc.

Btw off topic: Usually on the bus, when its crowded, I would have to sit beside someone. No offense to smokers, but if the person I sit beside is a heavy smoker, it would become quite unbearable for me :(


I dont smoke and think its a good idea apart from in pubs and clubs where it should be up to the owner if they want to allow it and the staff shouldnt go for a job there if they want to work in a smoke free place.
It should be our choice if you go in a smoking or non smoking bar/club

I will give you some of the good and bad points (my opinion)

Good.
Your not breathing in smoke in the pub.
Your clothes dont smell like you have just drove your car in to glasgow airport.
It has stopped quite a few people i know smoking

Bad.
All the smokers now smell really bad because its not in the air in the pub to disguise the smell on them.
The streets are full of people looking like tramps blocking the paths up.
Pubs where kids were only allowed in the gardens now have to sit surrounded by all the smokers from the pub.
The streets are being filled with f.ag ends. this filter is annoying.

I and many other non smokers seem to be sitting/standing in the gardens of pubs with friends who smoke because the pubs are really empty inside.

I could go on and on but i doubt the law will be reversed or altered.

If smoking is banned like this, so should drinking, fast food, cheap food full of additives and colourings, and WiFi.

If the sole reason for the ban is to cut out the health risk, why is it not classed as illegal to clog up peoples arteries, make them obese, give them heart attacks? Cheap food full of artificial ingrediants is also unhealthy, why is that not banned? Also, the WiFi arguement; does it give radiation poisining or not? Its not proven; but ban it anyway!
This law proves that the current government is favouring a nanny state (if you dont know what it is GOOGLE IT). It should be peoples choice to smoke where they want, you can quote back and say "should it be peoples choice to kill if they want", to which ill reply dont be such a tool. Clearly, smoking is bad for you, but then so is many things, they give off bad things; cars cause pollution, they arent banned. All this ban is, is a gimmick, some councils didnt even put in place the bylaws to allow fines to be given to those who broke it!! If you are near someone that smokes, and dont like it.. why not take full advantage of the fact you can move.
(im not a smoker)

[Jebbo]

yes its great stops me from getting Cancer ;)

[lDuckFunk]

yes its great stops me from getting Cancer ;)

Scotland got it's smoking Ban more than a year before England, and there is such a difference. Much better atmosphere when you go to eat out etc. Only bad Point is Smokers always stand outside the Fron entrance to places, which you are forced to walk through.

[lew!]

Yeah, it is right. Being a smoker myself - but It helps people who have allergies ect and who just dont like being in that enviroment.. and yeah - if we dont like it.. we can quit! :)

[YoManGo!]

It's right, I can't see why smokers can't smoke in their home/outside, it doesn't hurt them.

because my mom would beat me and tell me all about her dad who got lung cancer, mostly.
tbh i dont care. its not gonna stop anyone smoking, and its not like i ever smoked in a pub or club anyway, ive only ever done so in parks etc.

[samsaBEAR]

im kinda in favour of the ban, however now i've realised instead of keeping the smoke inside the pub/whatever, there's a massive group outside of it, which makes it worse if you have to walk past and there's like 5-10 smokers blowing the smoke out.
also, what i dont understand about this ban, and im sure a lot of you will prove me wrong, is that why restaurants/pubs/clubs etc are classed as public places, and roads/streets (especially on a high street in a town centre) and public parks arent classed as public. its stupid really, if you're gonna ban smoking in public places, at least ban it in parks to, especially where little kids play to.

[FAQz]

Yes i belive that the smoking ban is definately a good thing because i can now walk into a local pub with my dad or whatever and not have to step outside every fifteen minutes just for a breath of fresh air.
Although there is a down side to the ban obviously, there always is, people that smoke are now limited to places that they can do so and this can also be a good thing because it may help some people to quit because if they carry on they wont be able to spend time with their friends and family when they are in an enclosed public place.
I would also imagine that this ban has sparked off quite a few arguments and i would have thought that a lot of smokers would be trying to smoke in an enclsed public space anyway and then they would have been told offv and they would have resisted and goodness knows what chaos has happened over it. Overall i believe that the smoking ban has more pros than cons (goods than bads) and im happy that it has been put into place and despite the protest i want it to stay inplace for the rest of my life as it will make my kids lives better as they will be able to gpo into any enclosed public space and not have to step outside every fifteen minutes to get away from the dreaded and horriblely disgusting smell of the tobacco and nicottine of cigarrettes and their fumes.
FAQz

[Eccentric]

Yes i belive that the smoking ban is definately a good thing because i can now walk into a local pub with my dad or whatever and not have to step outside every fifteen minutes just for a breath of fresh air.
Although there is a down side to the ban obviously, there always is, people that smoke are now limited to places that they can do so and this can also be a good thing because it may help some people to quit because if they carry on they wont be able to spend time with their friends and family when they are in an enclosed public place.
I would also imagine that this ban has sparked off quite a few arguments and i would have thought that a lot of smokers would be trying to smoke in an enclsed public space anyway and then they would have been told offv and they would have resisted and goodness knows what chaos has happened over it. Overall i believe that the smoking ban has more pros than cons (goods than bads) and im happy that it has been put into place and despite the protest i want it to stay inplace for the rest of my life as it will make my kids lives better as they will be able to gpo into any enclosed public space and not have to step outside every fifteen minutes to get away from the dreaded and horriblely disgusting smell of the tobacco and nicottine of cigarrettes and their fumes.
FAQz
Although there is also a down side to it. Just walking around swindon now we go past every pub and just see people out there with a cigarette in there gob. Also all the cigarette butts all over the floor. But over all i think its a good thing as FAQz said to walk in a pub and not keep going outside for air as i'm asthmatic.

Eccentric.

[Oracle.]

Of course i think it is a good idea, well, the best idea the goverment has ever had... (Look up Worlds stupidest laws on google) but it really doesn't stop people smoking.
However, I have seen so many people smokin in public places its ridiculous. It is getting us nowhere. :eusa_wall

[T0M]

I think its gonna start a slippery slope though, soon there will be restrictions on where you are allowed to consume alcohol andthings like that

[YoManGo!]

I think its gonna start a slippery slope though, soon there will be restrictions on where you are allowed to consume alcohol andthings like that

there already is...

it will give me bare jokez when all you little "zomg smoking is evil" 12 year olds get hooked in 2 or 3 years. srsly, everyone accuses smokers of being ignorant and everything, when all you people stereotype them and criticise them. hypocritical much?

[Sentrax]

Yes the smoking ban is right in my opinion, but they're still allowed to smoke in the street or down the high street or whatever, so I still get it blown in my face all the time.
That annoys me so much.

[CrazyColaist]

yeah coz itl help ppl