What's the point in smoking?

[Dean]

I just came across this advert I remember watching ages and ages ago when it came on TV and it made me think, what's the point in smoking? I know these campaigns don't really work but I think this one makes me feel quite sick and it just puts perspective into what happens.

May contain images that may disturb certain individuals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDAN7Oi62e0

Why would you want to smoke if that can get clogged in your arteries? I'd never touch a cigarette, even to try it, I just don't see the point.

Opinions?

[Nemo]

I hate it and its absolutely disgusting habit, but from what i believe, people start because they think it looks cool/peer pressure/like the smell of the smoke/curious. Then the nicotine kicks in and there u have ur addiction.

But like i said, i hate them and never ever touch em

[Deak]

I've never tried a cigarette and i never plan to... some people take them for the obvious reasons; pressure to by friends / family or they are addicted to them.

In my opinion i don't really like to be around people who smoke, but i dont mind if they are smoking as its their own choice on what they do.

[Dean]

I don't understand why people say "oh, I was curious and wanted to try it" - why try it? You may not like it, sure, but what if you do? See you later money, $$$$$.

[Alex3213]

Never tried one, don't plan to either. It's disgusting and that's that. I think mainly the reasons have been covered though: peer pressure, family, looks "cool". Peer pressure just to "fit in" which is absoloutely ridiculous and so they don't get "ranked down" despite possibly being one of the most sensible in the gang. Family because they've smoked for so long they're used to it, and some people quite stupidly would just want to join in as it seems fun to do (:rolleyes:) and they believe it won't harm them cos of that. It looks cool? No, without trying to offend anyone here, this is pretty much moronic.

[Jordan]

I ain't even going to watch that video. I haven't and will never smoke in my life!!! enough said, there is no point in it.

[Gasping]

I'm not agreeing, disagreeing, nor am I condoning smoking. However, I have many friends that do smoke and their response to this questions ranges from person to person. For some people, they find smoking is filling, so they do it to lose weight,(again I am not condoning this.) , other rather enjoy the fact that it's a social thing, you can smoke with friends , and others it really calms them. I don't smoke and I find it horrendous when people do it, but it's their lives and the fatalities and the consequences are on the packages of cigarettes so it's not like they don't know what their getting themselves into..

[Chris]

Who knows why people start? To look cool? Preasure? Whatever the reason, it's not a good think to get into and I would never touch them.

[Casanova]

Smoking is quite enjoyable. i actually like the taste of smoking and it's just like drinking. there's no known reason but it's still done.

Today i was having a quick cig with my boss outside a subway, some busker started telling us we should quit. Do i tell him to stop busking? do I tell him to find a different job? I don't see how someone can question my life yet i don't question us. He even said "they two **** you're smoking could be 30p in my hat" my response? "yeah well i pay taxes on what i earn and also on what i'm currently smoking, do you pay your taxes?"

Smoking generates more income through the taxes directly and indirectly linked to smoking, i pay dearly for my habit which i enjoy, make me feel comfortable and doesn't harm anyone (apart from someone who may be invading my personal space, ie on the street or in my bedroom).

[buttons]

I hate it and its absolutely disgusting habit, but from what i believe, people start because they think it looks cool/peer pressure/like the smell of the smoke/curious. Then the nicotine kicks in and there u have ur addiction.

^^ this. i had my first cigarette 13 maybe even 12 years old... & no i don't come from a crappy unstable background. i just had friends that were older than me so i wanted to be cool and it became a habit. everyone i hung around with smoked and when you go to new places it's a good way to meet people, not that that outweighs the disadvantages no... there are worse things you can put in your mouth though but it's just that too much is bad like everything else. i smoked only socially. i would never do it by myself. yeah, i don't smoke anymore anyway & i still don't get why some people (cough..graham) find it attractive on other people O.o
some people just pick it up from parents & older siblings too.

[Shar]

I never have and never will smoke, I find it quite disgusting and it will eventually kill you if you get addicted.

[HotelUser]

Both my parents smoke. My garage smells disgusting and my brother, sister and I hate going in there. I really hope neither of them get cancer from it even though I know it's common when you smoke.

[Casanova]

My twin brother, my stepmum and my dad all smoke. I smoked through my own choice, I tried it while socialising (and drinking) with friends. I started as a social smoker, one who done it with friends while drinking. One long weekend and i continued into the weekend. Now when I wake up i smoke two **** before I leave bed in the morning. I enjoy it and I don't see how people can heavily criticise others for their choices in life when most of you drink no doubt, most of you drive a car (just as damaging to our health and earth), most of you eat meat which can be bad for you in large doses?

The way I see it, in life you get one go of it. Why act in life to prolong something which may end the next day? If i die due to smoking, yeah it's likely to be a painful death but i won't be sitting there at ninety thinking "well, i lived life healthily to live longer... i've watched family and friends die?" I know when I die i didn't stop doing something just to live something i wouldn't know!

[cocaine]

i dont smoke heavily, maybe a few a week. for social reasons. im against chain smoking and all that, i think its wasteful. and no, its not a drain of money. i dont buy cigarettes, i get them off friends.

[Rozi]

Personally I smoke because it relaxes me after a ****** day at college or, however lame this sounds, it gives me something to do. I smoke 1, maybe 2 cigs a day, so a 10 pack a week suits me fine, which cost £3.60 for me. Some people spend far more than that on a sandwich and a drink for lunch for just one day, and I have something that lasts me all week which I think is actually pretty good value.

I enjoy smoking in social situations as well, especially with new people, as it gives you something to talk about. For example, the other day I went to the pub with loads of people I've never met before, but got chatting to this one person because they were like HEY WE SMOKE THE SAME BRAND, and got on really really well.

I understand there's a huge list of illnesses that you get from smoking, but personally my dad has been smoking since he was 15, and is now 65 or something and is perfectly fit, and the worst he's ever got off smoking is a bad cough. Also my 100 year old Granny only quit smoking when she was 75 or so, and is still alive and her health is generally absolutely ok.

Yeah there are some unpleasantness associated with smoking apart from the health risks, like bad skin, bad breath, just general smell etc but meh.

Also for the addiction aspect, I've been smoking pretty consistently since late summer and still can go days without having/wanting a smoke. Obviously if I carry on at the rate I'm going it's not going to end up well but right now I'm happy with how it is.

[FlyingJesus]

Smoking is cool

[N!ck]

Smoking is cool

This..

[Dean]

Smoking is cool

Why is it cool?

[N!ck]

Why is it cool?

All the cool people do it.

[Con]

Pretty much exactly the same as what Rozi said.

When I started it was a curiosity thing on a hot day with a friend, we both just said it was something we've always wanted to try just to know what was so amazing about it, and since then I've been smoking.
It's not like an addiction, like Rozi said, I dont even have 1 or 2 a day, I can go a week sometimes without having one and I won't feel like I'm dying.

It's more of a social thing really, throughout the summer it was just nice and 'mellow' to have a roll-up with a few friends and for some reason it makes drinking better?
I know the reasons aren't amazing but it hasn't ever made me lose a lot of money, for a while me and my friends shared tobacco by taking it in turns, and even now we buy our own, it's still not costing a lot.
Oh and it is actually great for socialising, when I first went to the sixth form I was at, the way I made friends with the group I got into was through smoking, one girl was in my ICT glass, heard her mention smoking and we got talking and then one of us said "hey do you fancy going outside for a smoke?" and then since then I've had new friends?

And about the health risks, I knew a heck of a lot about the health risks before I started. I knew exactly what was at risk, but it's similar to other things, you know they are bad, yet we still do them. I know smoking makes you smell bad, but whatever the people I'm with smell too :)

Also my great nan is 97 this month. She has been smoking all of her life and her health is outstanding. She's in fact never gone to hospital (personal decision yes but still smoking has not done anything).
My Gran dad who is like 70 now? idk maybe older, has been smoking most of his life too and he's had no smoking related illness'.
Although one of my nans did die from Lung Cancer, we don't know whether its due to smoking or what, could just be a coincidence.

plus the head rush was quite fun

oopsie didnt mean to make such a big post

edit: ew that video is disgusting lol

[Shar]

Rozi and Connor you're very lucky, I wish my granddad was still here with us today.
Health wise it's not the same for everyone I suppose.

[Danzilla]

why do people always moan about people who smoke.
so what? im sure people who dont smoke do things that smokers dont like/sees no point in but they dont moan about it.
if someone smokes then who really cares, its up to them if they want too. i mean i smoke around 10 a day and but don't go shouting about it "thinking im cool". infact most of my **** are while im at work, out back, on my own.

[buttons]

why do people always moan about people who smoke.
so what? im sure people who dont smoke do things that smokers dont like/sees no point in but they dont moan about it.
if someone smokes then who really cares, its up to them if they want too. i mean i smoke around 10 a day and but don't go shouting about it "thinking im cool". infact most of my **** are while im at work, out back, on my own.

personally i don't like walking past people who smoke cause why should we have to put up with it...same at bus stops can't get away with it
kill yourself not others

[Danzilla]

personally i don't like walking past people who smoke cause why should we have to put up with it...same at bus stops can't get away with it
kill yourself not others

i think im quite polite when smoking in public though, if im at a bus stop ect. i just wont have a *** or id move away cos i wouldnt really like smoke being blown into my face. if im walking around i usually blow my smoke away from other people. the only time i really smoke around people is in smoker areas or if im standing around other smokers.

[ChickenFaces]

It's a stupid habit. I'll admit that I've tried it but I stopped and I'm glad I did.

[.:Wahu:.]

iv always hated them, i hate the smell of them aswell, everytime i walk past a smoker i hold my breath.
its disgusting !
i especially hate younger teens smoking thinking its cool well it aint!!

smoking possibly the worst habit of anything simply hate it :/

[Special]

lol i tried it once & it made me go dizzy & i felt sick from it

[hairpins]

eye h8 puttin anything tht thin in mi mouth PMSL…x
espeshalli when its rly bad 4 mi

it smelz horrible n makes yew luck lyke a newb

[HotelUser]

eye still think smoking is a really bad habbit, I think it's really clear that it causes health problems and it does smell rly bad, you can even brush your teeth afterward but it doesn't help.

O/T: 'eye' might not like looking at it, but it's fun doing that :P

[Shockwave.2CC]

People say that smoking calms the nerves, but I'm not sure if that's true or not

[Arch]

Smoking is quite enjoyable. i actually like the taste of smoking and it's just like drinking. there's no known reason but it's still done.

Today i was having a quick cig with my boss outside a subway, some busker started telling us we should quit. Do i tell him to stop busking? do I tell him to find a different job? I don't see how someone can question my life yet i don't question us. He even said "they two **** you're smoking could be 30p in my hat" my response? "yeah well i pay taxes on what i earn and also on what i'm currently smoking, do you pay your taxes?"

Smoking generates more income through the taxes directly and indirectly linked to smoking, i pay dearly for my habit which i enjoy, make me feel comfortable and doesn't harm anyone (apart from someone who may be invading my personal space, ie on the street or in my bedroom).

Not sure how it is in the UK but here i think its about 60-70% of smoke prices are taxes... :(

Anyways, i started outta curiousity i guess then i started liking it. Then it becames more of a social thing
because you meet people whilist smoking, and more likely then not most of your friends probably smoke. Thats how it is for me atleast, also for a highschool we have alot of kids who smoke here, about 80+ kids. Everyone just goes out after class/at lunch. Its actually pretty fun all your good friends at one place at the same time and theres always something either funny, interesting or stupid going on :P

[@K]

I have a few reasons as to why I smoke and started. I find smoking relaxes me, eases stress and generally makes me happier. My family all around me have always smoked, my friends who I've known for the past 6 years all smoke. It is a habit of mine, just like someone else who bites their nails or picks their nose. I am addicted. Lastly, I ENJOY it.

[Cheryl]

I never have; mainly for 2 reasons, none, actually not even 1, of my close friends do it and no one in my family does - my dad and both grandads both did, all without any adverse health.

I don't have a problem with people smoking around me, say for example I was with a group of not so close friends who do smoke, I would stand outside with them whilst they smoke. I quite like the smell anyway.

It's a life choice at the end of the day and most people will try it - as will I quite probably.

[chantellehugs]

I've never had a cigarette, I used to hang out with a group of friends who smoked all the time but the 'temptation' was never there for me.
If someone close to me began smoking I'd try and break away from them or get them to quit, what some people don't realise is that when you're having the cigarette everything seems jolly and relaxed, but in a few years time, if you end up getting cancer, things won't be so relaxed and happy. I'd hate to watch someone I loved die of cancer.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Firstly i'll say that I don't smoke and have never smoked, and I doubt I will ever smoke.

But what does annoy me greatly is the paranoid reaction we seem to get now when the topic of smoking is brought up. The anti-smoking brigade constantly cite the fact that smoking costs the NHS billions every year, forgetting to mention that smoking probably generates far more income for the governent with its rip-off tax rates than smoking costs the NHS overall. It is interesting though, that HIV is never treated in the same way when in reality partaking in unprotected sex/sex at all greatly increases your risks of catching the virus.

Secondly the smoking ban - pubs have always had smoking as a part of pub culture and now we are seeing the closure of pubs thanks to the smoking ban where people will now stay at home and have a drink rather than go to the pub because the government and these people seem to have the idea that they have a right to tell pub owners what can/cannot go on in their own pub. Finally, people smoke for the simple reason that they enjoy smoking - just as you may enjoy one genre of music whereas somebody else may hate it.

The only thing disgusting about smoking is the government tax on it.


personally i don't like walking past people who smoke cause why should we have to put up with it...same at bus stops can't get away with it
kill yourself not others

Why should I put up with the clothes you are wearing that I dislike? why should I have to put up with my neighbours car that I don't like the colour of? why should I put up with children on the streets after 7pm at night? why should I have to put up with the smell of manure whilst driving past farmers fields in the spring - why? because we live in a supposed free country.

The reality is that smoking poses little risk to your heath, much less than all the salts and fatty foods you most likely consume. Do you drive/travel in cars? what about the risk to your health there as car accidents are quite common.

[Oleh]

All i have to say is.

out of all 13-25 year olds who i see smoking.. probably 90% are what you would call "financially disadvantaged".

[buttons]

Why should I put up with the clothes you are wearing that I dislike? why should I have to put up with my neighbours car that I don't like the colour of? why should I put up with children on the streets after 7pm at night? why should I have to put up with the smell of manure whilst driving past farmers fields in the spring - why? because we live in a supposed free country.
get real. none of this is harmful. why would you even compare? & it causes little health risks? um, yeah it does. in the long run if you use it too much, the same as everything else.


The reality is that smoking poses little risk to your heath, much less than all the salts and fatty foods you most likely consume. Do you drive/travel in cars? what about the risk to your health there as car accidents are quite common.
but that's OUR choice whether we drive/travel in cars, it's OUR choice whether we eat crappy foods. it's not our choice for people walking around smoking. no matter how debatable the facts on passive smoking is, it's still downright nasty. go shove one of your friends/family in to a room filled with smokers smoke. it irritates my eyes and the smell is nasty, do we not have the right to be protected from that? i used to smoke and would never do it in my house or around people such as at bus stops which they all do here. like when we're in a queue. ******* gross.

[-:Undertaker:-]

get real. none of this is harmful. why would you even compare? & it causes little health risks? um, yeah it does. in the long run if you use it too much, the same as everything else.

If you are a heavy smoker it causes health risks yes, but passive smoking is not heavy smoking - so again, you are wanting to stop people smoking not on the grounds of health (the anti-smoking side often use this as an excuse to justify smoking bans when in reality many of them are perfectly happy to go out and eat salty/fatty/GM foods) but on the grounds of 'I don't approve, so the whole world should revolve around me and follow what I want'.

It is a smell, just as manure omits a bad smell and just as many things do in life - we get by and live with it.


but that's OUR choice whether we drive/travel in cars, it's OUR choice whether we eat crappy foods. it's not our choice for people walking around smoking. no matter how debatable the facts on passive smoking is, it's still downright nasty. go shove one of your friends/family in to a room filled with smokers smoke. it irritates my eyes and the smell is nasty, do we not have the right to be protected from that? i used to smoke and would never do it in my house or around people such as at bus stops which they all do here. like when we're in a queue. ******* gross.

Yeah and guess what? you have the choice to leave the room or go to another pub.

[wixard]

get real. none of this is harmful. why would you even compare? & it causes little health risks? um, yeah it does. in the long run if you use it too much, the same as everything else.

but that's OUR choice whether we drive/travel in cars, it's OUR choice whether we eat crappy foods. it's not our choice for people walking around smoking. no matter how debatable the facts on passive smoking is, it's still downright nasty. go shove one of your friends/family in to a room filled with smokers smoke. it irritates my eyes and the smell is nasty, do we not have the right to be protected from that? i used to smoke and would never do it in my house or around people such as at bus stops which they all do here. like when we're in a queue. ******* gross.

not being rude but where did you smoke then?
queue i understand but bus stops, realllyyy

[buttons]

If you are a heavy smoker it causes health risks yes, but passive smoking is not heavy smoking - so again, you are wanting to stop people smoking not on the grounds of health (the anti-smoking side often use this as an excuse to justify smoking bans when in reality many of them are perfectly happy to go out and eat salty/fatty/GM foods) but on the grounds of 'I don't approve, so the whole world should revolve around me and follow what I want'.
er yeah i want people to stop smoking on the grounds of MY health cause i don't approve with people messing up MY health. what's your point? idc if they want to kill themselves, i just don't want any possible health risks due to someone elses fault thx.

Yeah and guess what? you have the choice to leave the room or go to another pub.
i don't go to pubs nor will i willingly go in a room with someone who smokes. personally, i would rather THEY leave the room but if i have to i will. it's when i'm walking in the street or in queues i can't exactly get rid of it. i throw a scarf around my face if i have to go past a smoker but the smell still lingers you know. it's not just the breathing in i hate. n i don't like getting smoke in my eyes either. yes, me me me.


tara i only ever smoked at the smoking shelter at college whereas people would do it when we were waiting for the bus. + i never smoked when i was out drinking, never felt like it. if i was in someone elses house i would smoke outside the back door, even if everyone smoked anyway cause it hurt my eyes

[cocaine]

All i have to say is.

out of all 13-25 year olds who i see smoking.. probably 90% are what you would call "financially disadvantaged".

that's just poor stereotyping and the assumption that low-income families make up the majority of smokers is just wrong.. i know a lot of private school people who are obviously fairly wealthy and my areas reasonably well off and i know a LOT of thse people who smoke. so don't make up ridiculous assumptions without any evidence/figures to back it up.

and guess what? people who don't like the smell of smoke, the smoke i exhale maybe covers about 0.000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000 x 10^1000000 of the worlds total air volume. if it really bothers you that much, move about 3 feet to the left. then you won't smell it. i have just as much right to smoke in public as the next person. or hey, you could always go inside. yano, since its banned indoors since 2007.

[-:Undertaker:-]

er yeah i want people to stop smoking on the grounds of MY health cause i don't approve with people messing up MY health. what's your point? idc if they want to kill themselves, i just don't want any possible health risks due to someone elses fault thx.

They arent 'messing up your health' - as I stated before, unless you are a heavy smoker then the risks are so small and there's really no point in you fretting over this topic. The only reason you believe its such a big danger to your health is because of the constant government adverts which (if taken seriously) you'd be led to believe we are all about to drop dead from passive smoking.

So this has nothing to do with health as I said before.


i don't go to pubs nor will i willingly go in a room with someone who smokes. personally, i would rather THEY leave the room but if i have to i will. it's when i'm walking in the street or in queues i can't exactly get rid of it. i throw a scarf around my face if i have to go past a smoker but the smell still lingers you know. it's not just the breathing in i hate. n i don't like getting smoke in my eyes either. yes, me me me.

Well if you accept that pubs should be able to decide whether smoking is allowed on premises or not then we agree there. I must ask though, do you consume fatty/salty foods (so chippy, McDonalds, KFC etc)?

If so, then why are you so concerned about a miniscule (if not non-existent) 'threat' to your health?

[Oleh]

that's just poor stereotyping and the assumption that low-income families make up the majority of smokers is just wrong.. i know a lot of private school people who are obviously fairly wealthy and my areas reasonably well off and i know a LOT of thse people who smoke. so don't make up ridiculous assumptions without any evidence/figures to back it up.



Its not a ridiculous assumption.. its what I and i emphasize the I part, see on a day to day basis.

[buttons]

They arent 'messing up your health' - as I stated before, unless you are a heavy smoker then the risks are so small and there's really no point in you fretting over this topic. The only reason you believe its such a big danger to your health is because of the constant government adverts which (if taken seriously) you'd be led to believe we are all about to drop dead from passive smoking.

So this has nothing to do with health as I said before.



Well if you accept that pubs should be able to decide whether smoking is allowed on premises or not then we agree there. I must ask though, do you consume fatty/salty foods (so chippy, McDonalds, KFC etc)?

If so, then why are you so concerned about a miniscule (if not non-existent) 'threat' to your health?
no i don't eat fatty/salty foods tyvm nor did i actually say pubs should decide (stop putting words into peoples mouths). like i said, i care cause other people are selfish enough to give that risk. whether you say there's a threat or not through passive smoking, it's been long said that there is so you'd expect people to has some sort of respect when doing so.. don't even get me started on parent's who smoke in the same room or around their kids

[cocaine]

Its not a ridiculous assumption.. its what I and i emphasize the I part, see on a day to day basis.

well then i don't understand your point - all you're doing is assuming poor people smoke in your area?

[-:Undertaker:-]

no i don't eat fatty/salty foods tyvm nor did i actually say pubs should decide (stop putting words into peoples mouths). like i said, i care cause other people are selfish enough to give that risk. whether you say there's a threat or not through passive smoking, it's been long said that there is so you'd expect people to has some sort of respect when doing so.. don't even get me started on parent's who smoke in the same room or around their kids

I didn't put those words in your mouth, I left it open for you to reply - if you disagree then I must ask; what business is it of you or the government to dictate to pub owners whether or not people can or cannot smoke on premises that neither yourself or the government own? If you don't consume fatty/salty foods then i'm suprised, but again; the option is there for you to move away from a smoker if you do not like the smoke.

[Jam]

I prefer my death to be via food, not smoking or drinking.

[buttons]

I didn't put those words in your mouth, I left it open for you to reply - if you disagree then I must ask; what business is it of you or the government to dictate to pub owners whether or not people can or cannot smoke on premises that neither yourself or the government own? If you don't consume fatty/salty foods then i'm suprised, but again; the option is there for you to move away from a smoker if you do not like the smoke.
it's no-one's business. never said it was but i'm GLAD it's banned inside. from your own ~expertise~ explain why there's no threat from passive smoking? there's plenty apparant evidence that it is but i want to see some that shows it's not harmful? until then more people should respect to other's because of the possible threat :S & i do move away from smokers but it doesn't make me find it any less disgusting. i'm not gonna go campaigning and **** but aslong as it says banned from pubs/restaurants i'm happy...

[Nemo]

I didn't put those words in your mouth, I left it open for you to reply - if you disagree then I must ask; what business is it of you or the government to dictate to pub owners whether or not people can or cannot smoke on premises that neither yourself or the government own? If you don't consume fatty/salty foods then i'm suprised, but again; the option is there for you to move away from a smoker if you do not like the smoke.
You mean, like they do with health regulations and customer safety?

And why should non-smokers move from smokers, surely a smoker should move awway

[cocaine]

And why should non-smokers move from smokers, surely a smoker should move awway

because life isn't fair, tell me to move away from you while i'm perfectly entitled to stand there and smoke a cigarette and i'd tell you to **** right off.

[Nemo]

because life isn't fair, tell me to move away from you while i'm perfectly entitled to stand there and smoke a cigarette and i'd tell you to **** right off.
Could say that about smoking in pubs aswell then, life just isn't fair.

And im not saying i would, i couldnt care about people smoking around as me as long as they aren't blowing it in my face. Im merely questioning his view as to why smokers think they should have priority

[Moh]

I social smoke when I'm drinking, there's a lot of gossip out in the smoking shelters :D

I occasionally smoke after a stressful day at college. After all, nicotine is a stimulant.

[-:Undertaker:-]

it's no-one's business. never said it was but i'm GLAD it's banned inside. from your own ~expertise~ explain why there's no threat from passive smoking? there's plenty apparant evidence that is but i want to see some that shows it's not harmful? until then more people should respect to other's because of the possible threat :S & i do move away from smokers but it doesn't make me find it any less disgusting. i'm not gonna go campaigning and **** but aslong as it says banned from pubs/restaurants i'm happy...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1556118/Christopher-Bookers-notebook.html

Now on the issue of the ban, would you accept that it should be upto the pub owner whether or not there is a ban?


You mean, like they do with health regulations and customer safety?

And why should non-smokers move from smokers, surely a smoker should move awway

Well because we live in a free country, you don't move other people because you don't approve of something they are doing - you move away if it is bothering you so much. The same goes for political opinions, you don't lock people up for them if you don't approve; you can either debate them or simply walk away from the debate.

What does make me laugh about the paranoia about smoking is the fact that the majority of people moaning about the concept of abolishing the smoking ban did or would still go to a pub/club if the ban was removed - thus proving that they don't actually care all that much about the issue. If you don't like smoking then you go to a non-smoking pub, if there isn't a non-smoking pub near you then tough - there is no 'right' for you to have a non-smoking pub around the corner.

I think some people here are very detatched from the idea of liberty/freedom of choice.

[cocaine]

Could say that about smoking in pubs aswell then, life just isn't fair.

that has no relevance. if i was in a pub and wanted a cigarette i'd walk a few feet out the door. so why cant the same can be said for non smokers whining about smokers smoking in public. they could walk a few feet away, and hey presto, the smells gone!

[Nemo]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1556118/Christopher-Bookers-notebook.html

Now on the issue of the ban, would you accept that it should be upto the pub owner whether or not there is a ban?



Well because we live in a free country, you don't move other people because you don't approve of something they are doing - you move away if it is bothering you so much. The same goes for political opinions, you don't lock people up for them if you don't approve; you can either debate them or simply walk away from the debate.

What does make me laugh about the paranoia about smoking is the fact that the majority of people moaning about the concept of abolishing the smoking ban did or would still go to a pub/club if the ban was removed - thus proving that they don't actually care all that much about the issue. If you don't like smoking then you go to a non-smoking pub, if there isn't a non-smoking pub near you then tough - there is no 'right' for you to have a non-smoking pub around the corner.

I think some people here are very detatched from the idea of liberty/freedom of choice.
Why should there be a 'right' to have a smoking pub. If the government can help to increase public health (because some people are too ******ed to do it on their own) then go for it. If you cant be bothered to walk a few feet (instead of a few miles for non-smokers if smoking was allowed) to have a smoke, then tough.

And there's a limit to liberty/freedom of choice, otherwise i might aswell be a homocidal maniac


that has no relevance. if i was in a pub and wanted a cigarette i'd walk a few feet out the door. so why cant the same can be said for non smokers whining about smokers smoking in public. they could walk a few feet away, and hey presto, the smells gone!
It was more of a reference to undertaker's post. and well honestly it depends where in public, i think its very situational. Lets just say whoevers there first gets to stay? :P

[-:Undertaker:-]

Why should there be a 'right' to have a smoking pub. If the government can help to increase public health (because some people are too ******ed to do it on their own) then go for it. If you cant be bothered to walk a few feet (instead of a few miles for non-smokers if smoking was allowed) to have a smoke, then tough.

I didn't say there was a right to have a smoking pub (although I do consider it a fundemental part of liberty that somebody who owns the premises can decide on a petty issue such as allowing smoking in the premises) I merely said it should be upto the landlord who owns the premises, not the government or health groups who do not own the premises. If no pubs chose to go back to allowing smoking then thats fine by me, it is their choice but what is wrong with the ban is that it is not the choice of the consumer or the landlord.

Allow the landlord to decide, who will decide based on the choice of the consumer; laissez-faire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laissez-faire).


And there's a limit to liberty/freedom of choice, otherwise i might aswell be a homocidal maniac

Indeed there is a limit to liberty/freedom of choice, and government should keep to it for once until one day you'll find most of our freedoms have gone (the erosion of habeas corpus, the bill of rights etc).

[Nemo]

I didn't say there was a right to have a smoking pub (although I do consider it a fundemental liberty that somebody who owns the premises can decide on a petty issue such as allowing smoking in the premises) I merely said it should be upto the landlord who owns the premises, not the government or health groups who do not own the premises. If no pubs chose to go back to allowing smoking then thats fine by me, it is their choice but what is wrong with the ban is that it is not the choice of the consumer or the landlord.

Allow the landlord to decide, who will decide based on the choice of the consumer; laissez-faire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laissez-faire).



Indeed there is a limit to liberty/freedom of choice, and government should keep to it for once until one day you'll find most of our freedoms have gone (the erosion of habeas corpus, the bill of rights etc).
neghneghnegh, agree to disagree

[Arch]

Im just curious about one thing, Buttons i swear i've seen you post about you smoking
awhile back and you being a regular smoker. I might be wrong but i swear i did

[Conservative,]

I hate it it's disgusting. I've held cigarettes and been offered them but never had them.

I don't see the point. People say it's to look cool...but you know what you're doing? As long as you're averagely intelligent which I'm sure 90% of people are, you know what it does so "looking cool" shouldn't come into it? It's just plain ignorance and stupidity.

[RedStratocas]

fair question.

however as a former smoker myself i can say its really quite hard to explain the enjoyment of it unless you do it and become familiar with it. not suggesting it obviously lol, but i used to think the same way when i was a younger teenager. i didnt understand the point of smoking, why even start? but once i got to college, where at least a good 1/3rd of the student population smokes (and no, i dont go to a dumb school, i actually attended one of the top universities in the u.s. that is highly regarded for math and biology) it became a social thing for me. i've met a lot of people through cigarettes, and so many of my friends have been smokers. basically the thought process was for me: friends say "hey we're going out for a cigarette," i dont want to be in a room by myself while my friends are outside, so i go with them, and well, might as well do something (i.e. smoke a cigarette) while i'm standing outside with them. i'm not succumbing to "peer pressure," its far more casual than that. no one pressured me into anything. i never intended to become a regular smoker (i did for a while), it wasnt a conscious decision. only people who dont smoke think people start smoking to "look cool." its not like people consciously think "oh i wanna look cool cigarettes can do that" -- its more along the lines of "all these people im standing outside with are smoking a cigarette, might as well." it is a very social thing. i can safely say there are many people i would have never met if not for cigarettes. so i dont regret a thing. i still have an occasional stog, usually when drunk, but other than that im off of them.

oh and girls who smoke are pretty sexy, jussayin.

[benjamin]

IT'S COOL TO SMOKE.

[Andeeh]

I used to say I would never smoke but now I do and it's not good. I do it due to plain boredom and it calms me down and my lessons at college our 2 hours long so we get a 10 min break inbetween and theres **** all else to do. I hope I don't smoke for the rest of my life but I don't know. It sound like im trying to make excuses but tbh I don't actually care whether people thinks it stupid or not i'm making the decision to smoke.

[matt$]

Only time i smoke is when im a bit drunk and people have weed on them, and i guess that only cause of some friends doing it + me being drunk but if im sober i'd never touch cigs just because i dont like the smell of them and find it pointless

[JACKTARD]

make you feel nice/chills you out

i dont smoke regularly, infact very occasionally - like one every couple of weeks

[Shar]

IT'S COOL TO SMOKE.

Do you seriously think so or are you being sarcastic?

[Danzilla]

To be fair people complaining about smoking isn't going to change anything, they will have to just get over it.
Im pretty sure no one will quit just people someone doesn't like the smell or worried about the health risks of passive smoking which is pretty much nothing to worry about. Its a pointless argument no one will win.
Also whats this about smoking on pubs premises? Have you guys ever been to a pub or club? About 90% of the time there is a smokers area or a place all he smokers go, just don't go near it if you don't like it? simple. Also nearly all the older non smokers/ex smokers i know said they preferred it when smoking was aloud in bars/pubs just not clubs and cafés.
Like what has been said before too people who don't smoke wont understand the enjoyment.

[Arch]

To be fair people complaining about smoking isn't going to change anything, they will have to just get over it.
Im pretty sure no one will quit just people someone doesn't like the smell or worried about the health risks of passive smoking which is pretty much nothing to worry about. Its a pointless argument no one will win.
Also whats this about smoking on pubs premises? Have you guys ever been to a pub or club? About 90% of the time there is a smokers area or a place all he smokers go, just don't go near it if you don't like it? simple. Also nearly all the older non smokers/ex smokers i know said they preferred it when smoking was aloud in bars/pubs just not clubs and cafés.
Like what has been said before too people who don't smoke wont understand the enjoyment.

wise words, pretty much sums it up i think