To think smoking should now be banned in public spaces?

[MrsKingfisher]

I saw on the news footage of people Christmas shopping in London and people sitting outside in cafes etc. Given the current situation should public smoking be banned? Not only because it stinks and it's anti social but more people are now meeting outside due to covid. I don't believe there is any evidence that breathing out smoke spreads the virus anymore than normal breathing. It's just selfish, non smokers no longer can be told 'if you don't like it go inside'

No, I don't think it should. Life's getting quite tedious: people need their vices.

I agree with you.. I agree with you because I don't want other peoples smoke in mine or my childs face, or to smell like an ashtray if I choose to sit outside of cafes. However, you are going to get ripped apart on here OP so ready yourself!

Doing that would be a step towards making it illegal and they won't because they make too much money from it.

No, I don't. I think their are enough restrictions already.

I don’t understand your reasoning as you say there’s no evidence smoking spreads the virus any faster?

Yes, let’s have more restrictions! Let’s ban more stuff! Let’s ostracise more people! What a miserable world some people seem to want. Bah!

It's just selfish Many things are... including wanting everyone to live their lives your way!

I’m with you OP.

If your argument was that it was proven that it does spread Covid, I would totally agree. And I'm a smoker.

But I'm afraid you've used the wrong argument. So sorry, YABU.

Flvq its very clear indeed that the reason is that currently there's nowhere for non smokers to sit away from smokers - the non smoking indoor seating is closed and only the outdoor seating is available, so non smokers have their right to sit in a smoke free area removed.

The logical solution is to have a non smoking outside area and a separate smokers area, but that's only possible in large outside seating areas, not where there are only a few tables - smoke drifts further than 2 meters.

FortunesFave is right - goverments make too much money from tabacco to have any genuine interest in making it illegal or banning its use in public.

I agree, walking through the city centre/standing at a bus stop/queuing for a shop and having someone's disgusting cigarette smoke blowing into my face is horrid.

Why should I have to breathe it in?

Oh lovely not had an anti smoking thread for a while.

Omg they’re already outside. Where the f*ck else do you want them to go.

My reasoning is more people are now sitting outside due to covid whereas before they could sit inside to avoid those who choose to smoke, it also stinks and I maintain that those who take the stance of 'it's a free country I can smoke outside' without any care for those around them who may not be smokers are selfish. Go home and smoke! It's not a vice it's a disgusting habit that doesn't just affect the smoker.

@ShalomToYouJackie do you know what you breath in, in a city? If that’s how you feel I’d suggest moving to the country.

I don’t smoke but I don’t agree with this AT all

@MrsKingfisher

My reasoning is more people are now sitting outside due to covid whereas before they could sit inside to avoid those who choose to smoke, it also stinks and I maintain that those who take the stance of 'it's a free country I can smoke outside' without any care for those around them who may not be smokers are selfish. Go home and smoke! It's not a vice it's a disgusting habit that doesn't just affect the smoker.

But you have no issue with your own demands?

You can maintain whatver you like, but most people wll just laugh at you!

I Would love it to be banned. Regardless of covid I like to sit outside at cafes, bars etc but then I have to sit next to smokers and breath in their toxic fumes. It's so unhealthy and so selfish that somebody else's vice could impact my health. Also, I have asthma and the smoke can set it off.

I’ve thought this for years! It’s one of the few habits which inflicts immediate misery on other people while it’s ongoing so I would love for it to be something people can only do in their own homes.

No. They’re already outside! I don’t think it’s a great idea to remove yet more liberties and free will.

I agree. Its gross and I shouldn't be forced to breath it in anytime I'm outside.

Just to be clear. I don’t smoke. And never have.

I have no issue with people smoking outside.

If I don’t want to sit by them then I have the choice to go somewhere else.

@Nottherealslimshady no one is forcing you. You can move

@bleughbleughbleugh12 I live right by the countryside and away from the city, I'm talking about when I have to go into the city centre to post parcels or wait for a bus.

I know the air isn't clean anyway, I just hate that I'm pregnant and have to often breathe in someone else's cigarette smoke and then smell of cigarettes when queuing for the bus or post office. It's really unpleasant.

Are people so addicted that they can't go shopping or have a coffee without having to smoke? If you want to smell gross and harm your health great but why should others have to be party to it without their consent. Do all non smokers have to not sit outside now to accommodate those too selfish to do it in their own home?