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'

cryola
Then why not stick with 'I personally haven't experienced this' instead of the whole 'it hasn't happened to me and I live in London so everyone else is exaggerating'?

I can go on a trip to my closest city and experience less smoking in the city centre than a nearby town, and for what it's worth less air pollution too. It's a much more pleasant experience than some local towns. One town centre near me I actively avoid because there's always people in doorways smoking (because apparently they can't possibly finish their cigarette before getting to the shop door), and outside every pub/cafe there's people standing having a smoke, meaning anyone who wants to go in has to walk through clouds of smoke. Another popular nightlife area the bouncers are regularly telling people to move away from the entrances if they've come outside for a smoke because evidently people need telling to behave with a shred of common sense. There's signs up at my local hospital saying not to smoke outside the doors and every time I've had an appointment or been to visit there's easily half a dozen to a dozen people lighting up, causing patients and visitors to have to walk through clouds of smoke to enter. The worst was going for my scans when pregnant because there would be pregnant women stood smoking with their partners at the entrance to ultrasound.

The idea that people are exaggerating just because it doesn't affect you is what made me roll my eyes.

The idea that people are exaggerating just because it doesn't affect you is what made me roll my eyes.

Roll away. It still won't make any difference. Smoking won't get banned. Sales won't get banned. Wonder how the little petition from the poster who's aiming for the moon is getting on...

I wonder too, about the so called petition.

Roll away. It still won't make any difference. Smoking won't get banned. Sales won't get banned
I was rolling my eyes at the suggestion that if someone hasn't seen something then anyone who has seen something must be exaggerating because it's a fairly silly position to adopt (though one that is common on here).

I don't want smoking banned. I'm in favour of it being limited further at hospitality venues but beyond that if people smoke in the street then they can crack on.

Then given what we know about the health impact, I'd also support moves to prevent sales to the younger generation so that over time it's phased out rather than a sweeping ban. Once upon a time cars didn't have seat belts, but that changed. Once upon a time children's car seat rules weren't as strict. It makes sense that the more we learn, the more policy changes over time.

I don't really understand why any adult knowing what we know about the impact of smoking would be keen to push it as a great option to the next generation.

@vodkaredbullgirl

I wonder too, about the so called petition.

Her petition thread got deleted

Oh did I miss it, dam.

I do have a parliament and UK government petition, but yes the separate thread got deleted. Not that there was a lot of support on there Good news is the ban smoking Petition is in the checking stages as I got 5 signatures. When it's approved for more signatures. I will post an update, however I'm not allowed to post a link to it.

No thanks

If approved then I think I'll probably look for petition support with some friends first and some like minded associates, as need to get to 21 signatures for next stage checking. Then I don't know, maybe MN is not the place, so maybe I won't bother with the update then

Have you name changed crimbowimpo???????

@vodkaredbullgirl yes of course. But I name change regularly normally as I post a lot on random threads. Sadly however some people seemed to want to out me regarding the ban smoking petition. Although I have an incredibly common name, but it's not really in the spirit of MN. I am happy enough with people disagreeing with me though

If anyone signed thanks, I will try to progress this petition.

Tbh the smokers were already sitting outside smoking.. none smokers moved into the their space.

As most people are i tier 3 they can't sit ourside anyway.

Crimbo maybe it will go like brexit, go on for years before anything happens.

I'm sure it will go on the back burner, the government have enough to do. Also you do realise your taxes will go up, if it ever came in. Which unlike will happen.

Her petition thread got deleted

😂

Then I don't know, maybe MN is not the place, so maybe I won't bother with the update then

No I don't blame you. You'll look a bit silly when your petition reaches a maximum of 63 signatures in 6 months. Just like all the others that tried and failed. I wouldn't want to come back and tell people that either in your position.

@crimbowimpo

I do have a parliament and UK government petition, but yes the separate thread got deleted. Not that there was a lot of support on there Good news is the ban smoking Petition is in the checking stages as I got 5 signatures. When it's approved for more signatures. I will post an update, however I'm not allowed to post a link to it.

You really need to get a life or a hobby. Perhaps take up smoking? Might chill you out a bit.

Totally get you OP.
Why should I be exposed to toxins? I didn’t opt for it, or pay for it.

I bet people thought Brexit would never happen. That surprised us all when it was voted for.

Also you do realise your taxes will go up, if it ever came in. Which unlike will happen.

Also you do realise your taxes will go up if it ever came in.

People would in theory have the same disposable income. So they will spend their money on something else. It's It's unlikely that all the ex- smoke become super scrimpers and savers.

Just like the smoking ban petition, you are trying to do. It will go up in smoke, just like every other ban smoking petitions.

@crimbowimpo

I bet people thought Brexit would never happen. That surprised us all when it was voted for.

Also you do realise your taxes will go up, if it ever came in. Which unlike will happen.

Also you do realise your taxes will go up if it ever came in.

People would in theory have the same disposable income. So they will spend their money on something else. It's It's unlikely that all the ex- smoke become super scrimpers and savers.

Yeah, but Brexit wasn't a pathetic online petition was it? 😂.

You need your head wobbling if you believe any of them even get looked at twice by anyone.

I would welcome no smoking in public spaces

People would in theory have the same disposable income. So they will spend their money on something else. It's It's unlikely that all the ex- smoke become super scrimpers and savers.

I very much doubt smokers will be funding anything else that will create the same amount of tax return. Tax will therefore go up for everyone to rake in that missing 12 billion or so.

As for the Brexit vote, I wasn't surprised at all that it got through. Pretty obvious it had a bloody good chance of doing so.

People would in theory have the same disposable income. So they will spend their money on something else. It's It's unlikely that all the ex- smoke become super scrimpers and savers.

The trouble with that argument is that there’s nothing else that’s virtually 100% tax. The Treasury would lose around £14 billion if smoking was illegal, add to that the additional pensions because smokers would live longer and you’ll find the country couldn’t afford it.

You cannot compare smoking and alcohol. Moderate alcohol intake has some health benefits whereas no level of smoking is heathy.
Not only for the smoker, but you have 2nd hand and 3rd hand smoke dangers to think of too.
Everybody has been aware for decades that smoking is bad for you and will likely kill you - it's not even debated as some conspiracy theory, it's accepted fact.
The indoor smoking ban came in in Scotland nearly 15 years ago - the only smokers who had any reason to think their habit was once acceptable are in their 30's or older now.

I'd happily see it banned outright but this is probably unlikely. I do think more should be done to prevent people from taking up smoking though - god know what they are thinking when they do, it's hardly like it tastes nice or your instantly addicted or anything, you kind of have to put a bit of effort in.
I think the sale of tobacco products could be tightened further - reduce the number of shops allowed to sell them, mandatory ID/proof of age check for each sale and you'd have to show your government issued tobacco addicts registration & purchase authorisation card.

Im a smoker but agree with you

Yes please let’s ban the smoking wankers