Smokin'

[amuse]

i am curious - what are your opinions re: the public smoking bans in Ireland and Norway. i understand it's also being considered in the U.K. how would you feel if it was the norm where you live?

[Stanislaw]

Smoking should be banned, it is a tax on healthcare and is just a useless passtime. It is essentially a cancer stick, people who smoke and then complain about the side affects are stupid, Its self inflicted damge, in my mind it is no better than attempted suicide.

[simon]

smoke for fools

[fayefaye]

I don't really care if people smoke, I don't really know why they would..... I really hate having to inhale second hand smoke though. At the risk of sounding like a complete snob, they can do it.... just not too near me.

[Isagel]

I love it. I´m allergic and have to take alot of medicin to be able to breathe when I go clubbing, or just want to sit down at cafes.

I really do not like to nag at smokers all the time, but still. I like to be able to breathe. Oxygen is my friend. And all the medicin makes me sligthly drugged. Not tired but more-than-normal-energetic. Hyperactive. It´s hard to explain this to my friends who smoke. People who would never ever do anything to hurt me, still have problem with remembering not to smoke near me. And when I ask them not to smoke people regard it as being "boring". I can´t help it! Smoke hurts me, even if I use all kind off meds it makes my asthma worse in the long run. For awhile I stopped going out at all. So I´m happy now!

[den]

http://www.msuspokesman.com/news/2004/05/07/WorldNews/Public.Smoking.Banned.In.Ireland-680306.shtml


I'll try to stay away from the politics here* ;)

I smoke. In my own home, in friends and families homes who smoke. Outside at a cafe or restaurant patio that has clearly marked areas where smoking is permitted.

I respect the fact that some people are allergic, or just plain can't stand smoke. Fine I don't smoke near them. I also don't drop my butts in places where they're hard to clean up, like in grass in parks or sidewalks. I throw it in the street where regular streetsweepers get them or stuff it back into the packet. But I don't litter either.

Most provinces and major cities in Canada now have `public' bans too, so it's not a new concept here.

There's a lot of hypocritical bs going around about banning substances that are deemed harmful. Drinking alcohol is just as harmful as smoking tobacco and the effects it has on other people are far numerous to ignore.

Paris France is looking to ban SUV's which I think is hilarious, but where does it stop with the gov't. imposing control and choices in our lives?

http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=5382586

*ooops, won't go there any further ...

[fayefaye]

If you go to Asia, chances are you won't find a place to eat that doesn't have somebody smoking nearby.... it almost becomes part of the atmosphere. But I'm always relieved to find somewhere with fresh air. Like isaqel said, Oxygen is nice.

I knew someone whose husband died from lung cancer. From second hand smoke. Only Second hand smoke. That means something. Enough to make a law, I think.

Den, SUVs ARE pretty bad. I can't remember the exact Simpsons quote, 'they're deadly for the people in the other car' There's quite a strong argument against them. I think prohibition would be taken more seriously if history hadn't shown it doesn't work, and laws ARE in place to prevent the effects alcohol can have on other people. I'm not saying the govt should control our lives or decisions, but it's not totally unreasonable to ban smoking in pubs or restaurants.

[crisaor]

i am curious - what are your opinions re: the public smoking bans in Ireland and Norway. i understand it's also being considered in the U.K. how would you feel if it was the norm where you live?
I would love it ! :thumbs_up I'm sick of smoking pasively two cigarettes per day. At the university, at the bar, at the cybercoffee, at the subway, at the bus, etc., etc.
There's another reason for me to move to Europe.


There's a lot of hypocritical bs going around about banning substances that are deemed harmful. Drinking alcohol is just as harmful as smoking tobacco and the effects it has on other people are far numerous to ignore.
Paris France is looking to ban SUV's which I think is hilarious, but where does it stop with the gov't. imposing control and choices in our lives?
I don't think drinking alcohol is the same than smoking tobacco, even indirectly. Drinking beer in normal amounts isn't going to damage you in any way. A single cigarette can take your breath away (literally), make your breath smell like garbage, damage your lungs and the lungs of those near you, and make you and others more prone to cancer, as well to getting adicted. And this is a quasi-abstemious speaking.
BTW, I couldn't tell what is an SUV, even with the text. Could you give an example?

[fayefaye]

Those big cars. They crash and kill other drivers, guzzle petrol and have a high tendency to roll in the case of a crash, pretty dangerous. btw, you're all missing, it's NOT just tobacco in cigarettes. Isn't that a big part of the problem? They load those things with crap. Cigarettes are more harmful than marijuana, which ironically IS outlawed in most countries. May as well do 'em both. let's face it, cigarettes wouldn't be legal at all if it weren't for the revenue most govts get from the high taxes. Except in places like China where cigarettes are insanely cheap, who knows why they let it go on like that.

[den]

Actually possession of small amounts of marijuana is decriminalised in parts of Canada now.

I agree Sport Utility Vehicles are ridiculous additions to urban culture. If you live in the desert or mountainous areas and need to haul your horse trailer or something they do have their uses in extreme driving conditions but not for grocery-go-getters and taking your soccer kids to practice. :D

crisaor, there are over-whelming statistics that a high percentage of people who drink alcohol drink to excess, ie: get drunk, and that does have negative repercussions on people around them like partners, children and extended family members, broken marriages, physical abuse, driving under the influence, promiscuity, work-place productivity etc. Nevermind their own health. Alcoholism is a huge problem in the developed world. It's an insidious disease because it's glorified social activity. Haven't you seen how prevalent Alcoholics Anonymous is? Most people drink to cope with unwanted feelings of stress or inadequacy. Men (moreso than women) drink to exess often to mask depression or schizophrenia or other mental health issues.

What I get really pissed off about are people telling me that I'm making them sick by my smoking when I make every effort to affect as few people as possible. There are considerate smokers out there you know. ;)

[crisaor]

crisaor, there are over-whelming statistics that a high percentage of people who drink alcohol drink to excess, ie: get drunk, and that does have negative repercussions on people around them. Nevermind their own health. Alcoholism is a huge problem in the developed world. It's an insidious disease because it's glorified social activity. Haven't you seen how prevalent Alcoholics Anonymous is? Most people drink to cope with unwanted feelings of stress or inadequacy. Men (moreso than women) drink to exess often to mask depression or schizophrenia or other mental health issues.
I see your point, and I agree with it. I was referring to your comparison in smaller terms (i.e. one beer vs. one cigarette). You're right, alcoholism is a huge problem, but its tackling is not that simple, mainly because it can't be outlawed just like that. As you said, it's a glorified social activity, and I'm guessing it's the most consumed drink on earth after water. But, the problem is not alcohol in itself, it's the people who can't bear the responsability of drinking only up to a point. In this case, it'd be easier to focus on resolving some of society's ills rather than banning alcohol. Booze was prohibited once, and it all turned out for the worst. I'm optimistic about banning smoking, so far it has been implemented slowly and with care. Well see how it all turns out.


What I get really pissed off about are people telling me that I'm making them sick by my smoking when I make every effort to affect as few people as possible. There are considerate smokers out there you know. ;)
Are they? ;)

[subterranean]

I live in a country where cigarratte is one of the main incomes, so there's no way that such law will be applied here. I my self dislike people smoking near me, especially cause passive smokers have higher risk in getting the bad effect of smoking than active smokers. And i totally agree if smoking is banned universally :D :D, we'll have little bit cleaner environment

I agree with Den though, some of my friends are a very considerate smokers..but still i prefer them not to smoke..

[emily655321]

Where I live it's rare to see someone smoking in public, just because as long as I've been alive at least one person at another table of the restaurant will complain to the management. At the very least everyone gives them dirty looks. Although I believe there's a law in Massachusetts now outlawing smoking inside any public building. People have to do it outside on their own time. Which I am extremely grateful of, because I can't bear smoke.

[evulik]

Hi all... seems I am the only new non-smoker in this area ... well to this subject, I used to smoke a lot. I still have some "whims" (if this is the correct word) :angel: I still consider smoking as the right of people to do so... I mind if somebody blows that crazy smoke to my face, firstly because it stinks and secondly... because I envy a bit ;) I suppose it is ok to forbit smoking in public, but just in the case there are special places for smokers and special for non-smokers... as much as I do not want that smoke in my face I respect smokers and their right to smoke... (if this is what they want)

and anyway it is forbidden in Slovakia also... I mean to smoke in public, because there shoudl be special places where smokers can smoke... though experience from cafe bar (two days ago) seems it is not working :D luckily, smoke went to my friend... ;)

[emily655321]

I think no-smoking laws have to follow the opinion of the general public. The reason more restrictive laws keep being created in the United States is because the public demands it -- someone always complains if another person lights up near them. As a result, virtually any smoker you ask will say they're trying to quit. If they say they aren't trying to quit, they will always get a response of, "Why not???"

But in countries where many people smoke, I agree with Evulik; it's more reasonable just to have smoking/non-smoking sections in public places.

It surprised me to hear Crisaor say Europe would be nice because of the non-smoking laws. The #1 thing I've noticed when in Europe is how there seems to be smoke EVERYWHERE. People don't even ask before lighting up in someone else's house -- which is really hard for me to get used to, because (for instance) my uncle sometimes lives at my grandparents' house, and they even make him go in the basement to smoke. I didn't realize how uncommon it was to live in a place where almost no one smokes. :confused:

[crisaor]

It surprised me to hear Crisaor say Europe would be nice because of the non-smoking laws. The #1 thing I've noticed when in Europe is how there seems to be smoke EVERYWHERE. People don't even ask before lighting up in someone else's house -- which is really hard for me to get used to, because (for instance) my uncle sometimes lives at my grandparents' house, and they even make him go in the basement to smoke. I didn't realize how uncommon it was to live in a place where almost no one smokes. :confused:
Then I'm as surprised as you. I thought Europe was one of the places where anti-smoking laws had been passed, and amuse confirmed this in the first post. Anyway, Europe is pretty big (BTW, where do you live Emily?).

[Koa]

Here in Italy there have been attempts to make laws to stop smoking in public places, but I know only one where smoking is actually forbidden. Apparently by next year all the public places (with this I mean, restaurants, pubs and such) should have at least a division between smoking and non-smoking area, and some technologies stuff that can clear the air (i'm not sure, sort of fans but not really fans...something.). There are even polemics cos some owners of places say they'd lose customers by forbidding smokes, but I think it's stupid cos yes they'd lose custmoers who smoke, but they might gain customers who don't (I do avoid some places cos there's too much smoke).
When my grandad was younger, it was possible to smoke even at the cinema :eek: Now that must suck!

Now on my personal crusades. One reason why I don't like going out much is smoke. I hate to be in a pub where I can barely see who's sitting in front of me because of the fog coming from the smokers...I hate to get up the next day and cough for 2 hours. I hate my hair and clothes to smell...there have been times when I havent been able to sleep cos of the smell (I couldnt take a shower at 2am, my parents would kill me for the noise so I had to go to bed smelling like a cigarette), which at times was inside my SKIN.
I don't give a damn about health and such, smokers can do what they want but NOT near me, or in a closed place. There might be some polite ones, but most smokers are not respectful. I have a friend who used to smoke, and even if she was the only one in the group, we always had to go to the smoking area. We once quarelled cos we went to the non-smoking room of a pub and there was noone, while the smoking room was full, so we had to move cos the cool people stay in the smoker's area. Lots of places have a too small non-smoking area too, so you won't find place if it's a crowded night.

In Italy the ONLY dealer of cigarettes is the state. Nothing else. Adverts of cigarettes don't exist, it's funny when I go abroad to see those adverts, cos here they're even forbidden.

I have smoked a few cigarettes in my life, mainly out of nervousness or boredom, but I never got the vice... It's nice to realise how much money I saved by it, cos cigarettes really cost a lot, smokers do complain but I think it's right, they're an unnecessary thing so who cares...

[emily655321]

Crisaor -- I live in Massachusetts, USA
(the little yellow dot ;))

http://www.jimpoz.com/project50/usamaps/ma.gif

True, Europe is big. Maybe some places in Europe have changed in regard to cigarettes since I've been, but I've been to Britain (from Glasgow to Edinburgh to London), Paris, Rome, and Naples, and they were all pretty uniform in their smoking habits. I would have thought Eastern Europe would have been cleaner, but from what I hear here apparently that isn't so?

[fayefaye]

Considerate smokers are ok, I respect their self control, I know if i smoked I'd probably snigger at people who look down their noses at me for smoking. Den, I can't believe someone told you you make them sick!

hmm... here it's pretty common to see people smoking, usually walking along in the city or sitting outside cafes. As much as I hate it, it probably wouldn't be quite the same without it [well, it'd probably be better], like I said; it almost becomes part of the atmosphere [no pun intended :D]. But what people don't realise is that they're slowly killing themselves and those around them, I think that needs to be considered.