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'

What is it with the UK and smoking? You dont get this level of moral piety anywhere else that I've lived, not even america.

I know, it's revolting.

We are a nation of moaning gits

We'll have to disagree on that. As the mild inconvenience of someone smoking, which is extremely rare in my opinion, is far more palatable than the often screaming child, allowed to run riot, whilst the doting parent looks on adoringly, with no care or consideration for others. Blindly destroying everyone else's peace and calm whilst increasing their levels of stress
I wasn't saying what is more palatable.
I was staying fact that one does not involve subjecting others to smoke from burning toxins and the other does. One has a health impact on those around them and the other doesn't.

If some people don't mind the second hand smoke then that's fine. If some people would prefer second hand smoke over loud children then that's fine. Children being loud doesn't put toxins in my lungs though.

I agree entirely with your views on children running riot when doting parents do nothing. I just don't buy some of the whataboutery on this thread where people pretend that subjecting others to second hand smoke is comparable to a baby crying or smelling fast food or whatever other really disingenuous comparison they want to make.

@CrotchBurn

What is it with the UK and smoking? You dont get this level of moral piety anywhere else that I've lived, not even america.

Wheres the outrage over the nations fat problem? What is it about smoking that pisses people off so much? It's not about the actual smoke, we all know that: cars on the roads and pollution cause as many breathing problems but nobody's complaining. It's not about the health issue: diabetes and obesity trigger just as many as cigarettes, yet peoples bulging waistlines dont seem to concern them anywhere near as much as the woman standing 20 m away having a fag.

No I think the UK obsession with smoking is all about using it as a.....smoke screen to not have to step away from the swiss roll and prosecco.

Maybe look to france where people smoke more, live as long if not longer, probably because they're not chowing down on multipacks of crisps and feeling their heart rate go up from being surrounded by badly raised children

Probably because we're obsessed with class in this country, and it makes the middle class just rage seeing these gross, working class people having a fag

I don’t think people smoking outside is a problem. If you see someone smoking give them a wide birth. Actually if you are keeping 2 metres away I doubt you be breathing it in anyway.

Probably because we're obsessed with class in this country, and it makes the middle class just rage seeing these gross, working class people having a fag
Nope.

I quite like the fact that a sensible and rational approach to public health means that as we learn more about the risks, public health and attitudes change accordingly.

I'm also concerned about air pollution in cities too. It's becoming clear that air pollution is damaging people's health and with some changes to policy, towns and cities could be improved.

Just on this thread everyone in favour of limiting smoking further apparently hates smokers for no reason, is a snowflake, probably drives a 4x4 everywhere, IIRC probably sits with their engines on outside school, doesn't care about obesity or air pollution, and a whole range of other bizarre assertions that come across as rather defensive.

FWIW I don't think smoking should be banned in public, but am in favour of further limiting it in outdoor seating areas such as hospitality venues.

You don't get fat or diabetes sitting next to a fat person but you can get cancer sitting around smoke.
French people have dire teeth and smell revolting. All that cheese, starvation, coffee and fags. Yuck.

Yes, I agree it should be banned for health reasons but it would be difficult to enforce.

We are actually doing a lot to combat and lobby against pollution around schools in particular. .your logic of x is still there so leave y alone is silly.

The same old arguments of:

1. Obesity is a bigger problem
2. I paid taxes
3. You chose to have children and take them out in public
4. I bet you drive cars
5. What about pollution out there already

So tiresome.

French people have dire teeth and smell revolting. All that cheese, starvation, coffee and fags. Yuck.

What an utterly unpleasant sweeping statement. Shame on you.

So tiresome

The disapproving pious people who are quick to ban anything that doesn't meet their approval are tiresome. It doesn't stop at smoking, this authoritarian and unpleasant behaviour is an out of control sickness within society these days.

@Kaliorphic

French people have dire teeth and smell revolting. All that cheese, starvation, coffee and fags. Yuck.

What an utterly unpleasant sweeping statement. Shame on you.

Agreed.

@OffredOfjune

God, the level of drama on here is hysterical. In reality, you spend all of one second walking past someone smoking. However do you cope? All this 'blowing into my face' 'we can't get any fresh air' hyperbolic nonsense is just too pathetic.

Not if they’re stood next to you in a queue to get into your local supermarket. Or if they are seated next to you in a beer garden. I think the pandemic has made things worse.

Not if they’re stood next to you in a queue to get into your local supermarket. Or if they are seated next to you in a beer garden. I think the pandemic has made things worse.

Hands face space. Keep your distance like you're supposed to and you won't have a problem. And don't go and seat yourself next to a smoker in a beer garden if you don't like it. Sit somewhere else.

I completely agree with you OP. Smoking is vile and smokers seem completely ignorant to how much they stink and how their nasty habit affects others.

I would welcome a complete ban in public spaces but it will never happen because of the revenue smoking creates for the government.

Haven't read every single comment, however smoking in public is mostly banned in Australia. Has been for a long time. It's not a big deal.

I feel exactly the same about car exhaust fumes.

People who smoke are airheads.

Carry on with the insults, I don't mind. I will carry on smoking, not in public though.

People who smoke are airheads

Another sweeping statement from a clearly ignorant poster.

Carry on with the insults, I don't mind. I will carry on smoking, not in public though.

Why not in public?

Probably because I don't go out much, plus can't be bothered to walk and smoke at the same time. I wait till I get in the car to go home.

@Rosehip10

People who smoke are airheads.

Oooh, good one. That must have taken some time to think of.

Yes david hockney and will self, such massive airheads compared to the pearl clutching bugaboo crowd

If only there were licensed venues where these revolting people could congregate 🤔