we just had smoking ban in scotland is it a good thing or an infringement on our freedom?
360368
we have a smoking ban in my state. if it had taken place a year and a half ago I would have been really mad. but I dont smoke anymore, so it does not effect me. now I just think about my kid. I dont want to go to a resteraunt and have my kid sit it all of the cigarette smoke. I think that if there are plenty of areas that smokers can go to smoke, then it is ok. but to not be considerate of them too is rude and I view it to be an infringements on your rights.
766070
I am no smoker but if someone likes to smoke then that is their business, so long as they don't blow smoke over everyone else that doesn't.....let's see the idiots in Government concentrate on something more important such as Britains overpopulation problem for instance....This is never mentioned of course since they are shit scared of loosing votes......but it will at some stage however, return to bite them up the ass.
874463
When will the ban come into force?\n\nThis depends on the area of the UK:\n\nEngland - summer 2007 \n\nThe initial plans for a partial ban in England were binned because Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt felt it was impractical and wouldn't offer enough protection from passive smoking for workers in places such as bars and clubs.\n\nScotland - March 2006\n\nIt's hoped that the ban will have a very positive impact on the Scottish nation, since smoking here is attributable to a shocking one in four of all deaths.\n\nWales - summer 2007\n\nThe UK government allowed Wales to decide on its own smoking ban, despite the fact that the Welsh Assembly isn't normally given such wide-ranging powers. Wales was actually the first part of the UK to vote for a full smoking ban.\n\nNorthern Ireland - April 2007\n\nThree years after the Republic of Ireland's total ban, Northern Ireland is following suit. No-one has a right to subject colleagues and workmates to the dangers and hazards of second-hand smoke," says its Health Minister Shaun Woodward.\n\nHope this answers your question.
619913
If it were treated like alcohol in terms of age restrictions and enforcement, and banned in public so the rest of us don't get your second hand smoke (including in 'just outside the building' corridors of smoke), I don't really care.  I don't think it is worse than alcohol, and it may be better for you. I'd let science decide on that point.
410377
I don't smoke, but always did say I'd never forbid others to do so, and you're right, it's fascist, BUT my attitude changed because some other substances, much less harmful than nicotine, are also forbidden. So, now they only have to ban alcohol (well, for you Americans, it's AGAIN :)), meat (killing animals), expressing your opinion, and other liberties, and we'll have ourselves a nice little clean world where you play like a good sheep or get incinerated. Long live utopia, where all the people are happy ('cause if they're not happy, they're dead).
906856
Nicotine addicts rights end at the tip of my nose. If they don't like it, to bad. No one should be forced to share a smokers rude and deadly habit, especially children and the elderly, who don't normally stand up for themselves.
742704
Oh my gosh i know exactily what you mean.My best friend does it. Her and Her mom with the windows rolled up and i was telling her that it wasnt good for her son. Heck it isnt good for anyone to be inhaling smoke especially with the windows rolled up.That to me is like giving your child a death sentence or something.People who dont smoke that are sitting with pple who smoke are getting more of that smoke than the actual smoker i took a class at WIC and they told us about it. Yes i think it should be banned as well
292826
It is not legal, however they don't make a big deal about it as long as your not up in every ones face. Now tobacco is another story; they plan to outright ban it inside and out.
1169858
Maybe the way tobacco products are advertised and promoted needs to changed but ban it all together?  No.....it is a viable product and like most things if used in moderation by adults there is nothing wrong with it.  Plus as an after thought, if it was banned get ready to pay a lot more in taxes in general.  My state alone collects almost $30 million a year in cigarette taxes.  You think if they banned tobacco they would give up that $30 Million?  No way, it would made up in higher gas, sales, and/or property taxes.
421617
Cause Gambling Doesn't effect the general health of the nation, Smoking is a disgusting habit and fools that cant hold a few pints are a drain on A&E Departments..I live in Ireland and the smoking ban is the best thing to hit this country in years, To be able to go out and enjoy my few pints and come home NOT smelling of smoke is a dream come true..............And yea i do like a flutter here and there, took a few quid from the bookies this morning if Scolari takes the job....
201031
No, i wouldnt be in favor.  i'm not a smoker, but i do think that it should not be outlawed.  There are many things that have no benefit to society, but are not outlawed.  Like pantyhose, or boston cream doughnuts, or comb-overs.    We cant just start outlawing everything.\nI DO think it should be restricted to private residences, so people can chose whether they want to be around second hand smoke.
345818
I think that it is indeed, out of control.  Recently some cities in Minnesota have begun enforcing smoking bans.  There are many businesses, bars/restaurants specifically, that are losing business now.  If I owned a business that was affected by such a law I would be outraged.  And there are many that are just ignoring the law, and paying the small fee to allow patrons to smoke.  They are making more money from these smoking patrons than they are losing by paying a fine. Last I checked cigarettes are still legal to buy and own.  I would have a serious problem with BIG BROTHER (and all of these lobbyists) telling me how to run my business.\n\nAnd by the way I am not, and have never been a smoker.
846545
As a former smoker, nurse, and former restaurant owner, NO.  That should be the right of the business owner.  \n\nOur county has a county-wide ban on smoking in restaurants (not bars) and of course in public places.  \n\nI like going into a restaurant and not smelling like smoke or having to breath second hand smoke.  But I had that choice before the ban too by eating at restaurants which were non-smoking.  Smokers can't smoke inside buildings, but they huddle together at the door and I have to walk through the cloud of smoke to get inside which I wouldn't have been exposed to before the county-wide smoking ban.\n\nSo NO.  That choice should be the business owner's choice and  the consumer's choice to vote with their feet.
376403
yes, this is a good idea because peoples health will be better and those who dont smoke will not suffer from second hand smoking. my mother smokes and it bothers me a lot because of the diseases and other problems she can get just from smoking. Also because since all the other drugs such as pot is illegal smoking is also a drug therefore it too should be illegal.
1025235
Neither should be against the law for adults.  I'm not saying that not wearing your seatbelt or smoking is a good thing to do, but those are personal choices that the gov't has no right getting involved in.
357264
YES!  Smokers are discriminated against daily.\n\nBen Franklin once said : "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."\n\nSo, all you people who belive it is right to restrict the rights of others are out in left field.  If you do not like smoke, you should exercise YOUR freedom and choose an establishment that does not allow smoking.....the gov't shouldn't enact laws that make a business owner be non-smoking.  Where is the freedom in that?\n\nIn the words of HL Mencken:\n"I believe that liberty is the only genuinely valuable thing that men have invented, at least in the field of government, in a thousand years. I believe that it is better to be free than to be not free, even when the former is dangerous and the latter safe. I believe that the finest qualities of man can flourish only in free air – that progress made under the shadow of the policeman's club is false progress, and of no permanent value. I believe that any man who takes the liberty of another into his keeping is bound to become a tyrant, and that any man who yields up his liberty, in however slight the measure, is bound to become a slave."\n\nAlso, I am sure that most of you are familiar with the last part of this quote....the front of it is equally important.  Patrick Henry: "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"\n\nAnd I think most importantly, Clarence Darrow stated it quite well..."You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free."  In other words....watch out.  If you let the gov't restrict my freedom, it will be knocking on your front door tomorrow - taking away your ability to do something that is dear to you!
665734
I am all for the smoking ban. I used to smoke, and even then, when I smoked, I was right behind the ban. It is not fair that non smokers should have to inhale smoke, and I think the arguement of 'well, just don't go into a pub then' is horrible. It is penalising the non smokers, not the smokers! \n\nBut by all means, puff away in your own home. Freedom to do what you want I say, unless it hurts others.