General Chat

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An imposed ban on smoking in public places? This has been in place in Dublin for more than a year now and will come into effect in Liverpool in June of this year. Are there any other cities that will be following suit and how do you feel about it? My personal point of view: Whilst I agree that smokers have a right to choose when and were they smoke, when that place is a public one, non-smokers lose their right to be in a nonsmoking environment. I like to go to the local bar to watch Liverpool FC with OH but always have to remember that it's not worth getting a shower and hair wash until I get back. Even to go out socially to a wine bar or sometimes a pub means that you come home stinking of cigarettes after having inhaled someone elses smoke. And some smokers are totally inconsiderate holding their cigarettes so that the smoke blows away from them and in your direction or even blowing the smoke in your direction. Let me know your opinions :) Lyn x

Hiya Ban Ban Ban !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a smoker myself I am happy to respect the opinions and wishes of non smokers and go outside to have a cigarette. I know a lot of pubs in my area are going to get patio heaters and the like to make their beer gardens more comfortable for smokers and I am happy with that but I think that's far enough an American style blanket ban on smoking is a bridge too far in my opinion xx

Im inclined to agree with Muffy, I dont like to smell of smoke but have no prob with it on a patio area, Oh hates it though and would want an all out ban, Caz xxxx

I, personally can't wait...I will be able to go out! I have no objection to people smoking but it makes me very ill. One night out on the town equals 1 week of suffering and breathing problems. Tina x

I always try to go outside for a cigarette so as not to annoy people. However I find the air quality outside is even worse what with all the pollution from inconsiderate able-bodied people who DRIVE everywhere, even on short distances, and foul the air with the exhaust fumes from their vehicles. When my children were small and in buggies they were at exactly the right height to be blasted in the face with exhaust fumes....does anyone ever give a thought to that? Dee x

An excellent point Dee, one that does concern all of us as most of us have been or are still in the same position with young children. And as you say, they are at the height to receive these blasts of exhaust fumes which are just as damaging if not more so. I have great respect for smokers who do consider nonsmokers around them when they light up a cigarette. Lyn x

We already have it in Scotland and what a difference when you go into a pub. Ha-ha the smokers are out in the cold under heated umbrellas!!! Ros

I got a taste (pardon the pun) of what it would be like to have pubs etc no smoking zones when we went to visit our daughter in Ireland and went into Dublin for the day. It is soooo much better. It tickled me seeing all the pint glasses with beer mats on the top to be told it was a pint belonging to someone who had gone out for a smoke. There were plenty of bins outside for all the stub ends too helping keep the place tidy. Strange not to see ash trays on the table too. Lyn x

My understanding is that there will be a ban in all public places in England from July 1st this year. It is interesting that Westminster is (of course) exempt because (I think) of its standing as a royal palace. More importantly, what will happen to all those companies manufacturing pub ashtrays? Perhaps now is the time to visit pubs wearing coats with poachers' pockets and consider opening an ebay account (not that I am condoning theft of course).

Errol, you little tinker!!! Having worked years ago in bars and clubs, I used to hate having to come home tired and needing to shower and wash my hair to avoid my bed smelling like an ashtray, and of course the same goes for socialising, so I am happy for there to be a ban. Even walking through a crowded shopping area, people smoke and their smoke blows back so you end up swallowing it, how horrible. Having seen my father die from lung cancer, I can't wait for the ban to happen and if fewer youngsters are able to get ciggies too, then hopefully our air might become more pleasant to breathe. As for buggies and babies, I have long felt that the invention of buggies was a step backwards in the development of our children and possibly something to do with the number of children with ADHD. You see so many of them open to all the elements, including pollution from exhaust fumes, and whereas when mothers had them in prams or 'proper' pushchairs facing them, they shielded the wind and sun a bit, and could talk with the children, now the kiddies sit isolated in their own little world and many mothers walk along talking with friends or partners, or with headphones on listening to music, with little or no interaction with the child to stimulate its interest in its surroundings or strengthen that bond with parent/child conversation. I made sure I only used a buggy for short walks when I couldn't take the pram or higher more enclosed pushchair (and I am only talking 24 years ago). Liz Would love to see further research into the buggy theory.

Teresa, as I did childminding for a long time too, I have had strong feelings about this for years, and did see someone famous mention the same thoughts once, but can't recall who it was, someone 'royalish' I think. Could be an interesting subject to use. I wonder whether the forward facing thing was necessary due to the technicalities of the design of a buggy or a choice? Liz

I seem to recall that my youngest (20 yrs) buggy could face either way and I most certainly had it so that she was facing me. Interraction with little ones is soooo important and safeguarding them from the nasty exhaust fumes paramount. At the end of the day, it appears that none of us are happy with inhaling fumes whether from car exhausts or other people's exhaled cigarette smoke. So, I welcome the ban on smoking in public places and would welcome research into the effects of exhaust fumes on young children. My eldest daughter who lives in Ireland was telling me that taxi drivers of privately owned vehicles are not allowed to smoke in their cars even though they are the personal owners of them whether they have passengers or not. I think it is long overdue a smoking ban. Hugs to all, Lyn x

To be honest Lyn........... i avoid resturants that are no smoking...i associte finishing my meal with a cig....i understand why this has to be done...but and a big but!!!! to ban smoking in pubs.....well...i can't believe they can't have a section...at least for the old boys that have been going years... but heyho...maybe i'll give up!!! GO ON ALL JUMP ON ME...LOLXXX

we went on holiday to Scotland last summer where the ban is already in force. It made such a big difference to the night club we went to. It was so much cleaner. But I must also say that there was not so many people in there either so there takings must have been down. Usually it is difficult to find a table but each night we had a choice of where to sit.

LLC...in london i reckon they will lose so much trade.... i for one would not go to the pub if i couldn't have a fag!! *all london pubs cry YAAAAYYYYYYYY*

we have had a complete smoking ban in public places NZ for yonks and it is wonderful. it hasnt resulted in a reduction of business for anyone in fact many bars and cafes have found they are now doing a roaring trade. Sure there was the odd grumble but that soon faded it is great also to be able to take children to rugby or golf on occassion without having to worry about them getting a ciggy in the face by some smoker who has it dangling down by there sides,not to mention no holes in your clothes from the mobile smokers. It is also be a huge relief for those non smokers who make their living serving in restaurants and bars. Regards Tania PS the only place they have been slow to enforce is the RSA

We have had the smoking ban here in the States for a long time...EXCEPT in states that produce tobacco! Isn,.t that ironic. Lol. I,m a smoker but I must say how nice it is to go out for an evening and not have to wait hours for a table.....while somebody has that 'after-dinner' ciggie....or 10. Pubs and bars here soon saw a return of their regular customers and I feel sure, so will the ones in the UK.

Carol...as a smoker do you not enjoy your coffee and a cig??