what do people think of the smoking ban next year?
460501
As I live in Scotland, we've already got it.  As a smoker, I think it's ridiculous.  I have worked in bars for a long time to fund my studies and in my experience, the majority of people who work in bars and drink in them are smokers.  As it is, now we have to go outside to have a cigarette.  This has meant less people going to bars and as a consequence, hours have been cut and some people laid off already.  In addition to this, in most places you are not allowed to take your drink outside with you and this leaves many women open to drink spiking.  We have been told for years not to leave drinks unattended, and now we have to.\n\nThe whole situation is ridiculous and is tantamount to living in a fascist society.  It would be fine if they had allowed some places to remain smoking.  All they have done is restrict choice, and that shouldn't happen in a supposedly free society.\n\nEverybody I know, smokers and non-smokers alike, think along these lines.
327329
As a smoker, I am for the ban.  I wish that they would hurry up with that new vaccine...it blocks the effects of nicotine on the brain.\n\nTobacco companies are adding more nicotine in their cigarettes to keep us hooked.  The Surgeon General stated that kicking the nicotine habit is harder than kicking heroin.
374007
I hope all countries will recognize that ALL OUTDOORS is public, and ban smoking outdoors.   They could have smoking areas in sealed vaults somewhere,  and I would not object to that as long as they never have the doors open very long.
66729
I support non-smoking areas, but if you want to smoke, then I think you should have your own areas. I do however feel that smokers face discrimination every day and state wide bans don't help.
15628
I don't think that smoking should be banned in bars and in clubs. If they are banning things that are bad for you they wouldn't be able to drink there either. I think that if you are so health oriented you shouldn't be in the bar so if you don't want to be around smokers don't go in the bar. Drinking and smoking go hand in hand and some people that drink like to smoke only when they drink. I think it should be up to the bar owner. If the waitresses don't like being around it , get another job at a bar that doesn't allow smoking.
314600
Propose bills that would allow landlords to NOT allow their tenants to smoke in the units.\nMake cigarettes SO expensive because of taxes that people would NOT buy them.\nAsk family members of people who passed from lung cancer or other smoking related deaths to allow the family member's images be used for a nationwide commerical, targeting smokers.\nInstitute fines for not disposing of cigarette butts properly.
909330
I am not a smoker, but have no problem with people smoking in designated areas in restaurants, or public places like hospitals, malls, etc. I expect people to be smoking in bars, clubs and such. I know there are people that are on oxygen, allergic to smoke, have lung problems and the smoke increases their difficulty to breath. However, everyone has the right to do what they want to as long as it does not hurt someone else. I believe their is a common ground and solution without totally banning smoking and coming down so hard on people who choose to smoke.\n\nAs for taxation, the government has that go in' on....They tax the vices they know people won't quit....gambling, Alcohol,......that's the way it goes.
295924
My motto tends to be "live and let live". In this case, I oppose public smoking. Second-hand smoke has been shown in numerous studies to be harmful, and quite frankly, I hate breathing the filth myself :(\n\nOn the other hand, I see no reason for a total ban on smoking. If you want to smoke in the privacy of your own home, or somewhere else where you're alone, well, it's your choice to harm yourself, but atleast you're not harming anyone else.
886755
If successive governments didn't keep hammering tobacco with tax, people wouldn't bother with duty free. Whatever the tax shortfall is wouldn't matter cos they'll just tax something else. What about Internet tax??
425623
I agree, no wants to smell smoke when they eat.... however.... I strongly disagree on banning it from bars, cigs and beer go hand and hand for most people, infact people who dont smoke, will often ONLY light up while drinking.
261298
I guess it is difficult for smokers to appreciate the impact on others as they are addicted and have to satisfy their addiction. It is for this reason that smoke-free workplaces have become mandatory and Governments are putting laws in place to ban smoking from pubs and clubs. On February 28, 2005, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control took effect. The FCTC is the world's first public health treaty. Countries that sign on as parties agree to a set of common goals, minimum standards for tobacco control policy, and to cooperate in dealing with cross-border challenges such as cigarette smuggling. Currently the WHO declares that 4 billion people will be covered by the treaty, which includes 92 signatories. Amongst other steps, signatories are to put together legislation that will eliminate second-hand smoke in indoor workplaces, public transport, indoor public places and, as appropriate, other public places.\n\nIt is not often appreciated that bars and restaurants are workplaces and people have to be exposed to tobacco smoke to earn a living. For that reason, I think that it would be better to patronise bars and restaurants that don't allow smoking rather than smoking so that you can breathe.
942181
The government will always controll us-there's no getting away from that.  I have been living in scotland for 3 months now, and have been working in a pub for the duration, and i've yet to make up my mind whether its a good thing or not.  As a non smoker, i can see the benifits of not stinking of smoke or inhaling second hand smoke all night.  However on the flip side, if i really hated stinking of ciggeretts and inhaling second hand smoke, i wouldn't work in a smokey enviroment, and i would stay away from similar enviroments.  What i DON'T think is a good thing is crowds of 20 to 30 people gathering outside a pub/club for a smoke-in the pouring rain. I think proper ventilation and/or a beer garden.  They are fantastic. especially with BBQs.
108205
Definately. It is nearly completely banned in Australia. Soon the only place you will be able to smoke down here, will be in your own home with no children and non-smokers present and only if you have a purifier to clean the air before it escapes outside.
264465
If you are talking about the UK then yes it does. When the government were debating it there were many people who objected so in an attempt to ensure the legislation actually went through parliament they offered soem concessions and options, such as the one you mentioned about provate members clubs.\n\nHowever the government actually found enough backing and was able to go ahead with a full ban on smoking:\n\nBBC FAQ Here:\nhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4711544.stm
26617
I am a non-smoking, smoker. figure that one out! \n\nSmokers are a complete contributor to the health service. \n\nThe NHS could not survive without such a donation as tobacco sales, and cigarette merchandise. Society has made the media give mixed messages on this time after time. They invent treatments, they come up with causes, they say it's highly unethical and unhealthy to smoke, yet they advertize it all at the same time. Why is this such a conflict? I'll tell you why. \n\nA) They advertize this because they know that smokers are one of the biggest donators to the treasury, over 10,000.00 is spent on tobbacco daily. They fear getting sued, so the media makes up for the advertisements, by smashing down smoking economy, and making smoking legal only for people of the ages, 18 and up.. I'm sure though that if 16 year olds could legally start a career at that age, they would lower the smoking age. \n  \nThink about it, 18 and up. Adulthood, where choices can be made, career choices open, college dues must be payed, so on, so forth. \n\nThey just fear getting sued. Honestly, as much as the Health administration would like, NOT to admit it. They would crumble without the daily tobbacco sales.
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.
33840
My resolution will to be not answer these questions anymore....OOOps already broke it. LOL.\nOn a serious note, I plan to quit smoking for good, be nicer to everyone and be there for my family a little more.