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'

I feel like if you go somewhere that there is a strong possibility someone might smoke then you are making a choice to go there and should suck it up.

Yep

The second word I'm thinking of is "off". Can you guess the first?

@Nottherealslimshady Those rooms are grim usually. As a hardened smoker I only enter out of desperation and quickly. The filtration isn't great within the room. I'd prefer to sit outside away from non smokers.

Yes I can guess the first word. It's the first thing I thought.

I'd prefer to sit outside away from non smokers

Separate venues entirely. Then people that don't like smoking can find a non smoking venue. Win win.

Well no. I don’t want to sit next to a fat person on transport, I don’t want to listen to someone else’s child screaming in a restaurant, I don’t want to pay for unemployed people to not work (indirectly of course), I don’t want to listen to random fireworks, I don’t want cats to crap in my garden... shall we ban all those things too? We share the world.

Does nobody just get mildly irritated with minor inconveniences anymore? Maybe that's just too 2019.

2020 is clearly the year of covid and living in a state of perpetual rage. I'm left wondering if a little Valium in the water supply is more urgently needed than vaccine.

What's so interesting about smoking is that so many people are defensive over their 'right' to smoke, insisting that it doesn't harm anyone else.

Think about it.

We've had so many threads this year about people saying they're not bothered about covid and would rather take their chances. They're then jumped on by many, many people who tell them that they SHOULD be bothered, and would they be therefore declining NHS treatment should they need it. Because if they catch it because of their selfish rule breaking, they may put more pressure on the NHS.

This is for a virus with a very low hospitalisation rate and an even lower death rate.

Now think about the amount of treatment a life-long smoker might need. Why does this not get the same reaction?

Of course smoking harms other people. Perhaps not physically if you're away from them, but what about your family who might have to watch your health suffer? What about the NHS who have to spend millions of tax payers' money on treatments for smokers?

And what, exactly, are the benefits of smoking as you see them?

Cigarettes are disgusting. They're full of horrible, poisonous shit. I think vaping is a step better, if you must, but still not great.

People are so touchy on smoking, but it makes you smell, ruins your skin, turns your fingers yellow and wrinkly, affects your health in countless ways ..

.. and you wonder why people don't want it in pubic spaces. Hmm.

NotABridezillaToBe I like your list, can I add I don't want to be on a train full of drunks swearing and doing their version of singing.

Places sign outside areas can always have designated smoking and no smoking areas.

I have never smoked in my life but think banning it outside is a step too far

Ex smoker here.

YABVU

You already had them thrown outside like a stray dog, now YOU have to go outside, you want them to be forced to stay at home. Piss off

Nothing will change because the government want their cut.
It's up to people who smoke to be considerate when sitting near other people (which we can't do at the moment anyway).

I don't mind one way or the other but you are being very unfair to come on here shouting at people and forcing your opinion down their throats.

I agree that it's unpleasant but a ban should only be for health reasons. If pubs and restaurants feel that they are losing customers because they don't want to sit in a cloud of smoke they will ban smoking themselves. You can't smoke in Wetherspoon's even if outside for example.

I completely agree OP. I hate smoking with a passion, my very dearly loved Grandad died a horrible undignified painful death due to smoking-related cancers and given there are absolutely no positive benefits to smoking at all whereas the risks to the smoker and others are very clearly documented, I think it should be illegal everywhere except someone's own garden IF they live in a detached house in the middle of a field with no neighbours.

I admit I'm not very tolerant on this issue.

@Nottherealslimshady I didn’t know such things existed! I’d be up for those going up in place of smoking shelters. I’ve no issue with folk smoking in public but it’s so friggen hard to squash your desire to remain an ex smoker when you walk past someone smelling like smoke (though it’s also hard to squash the desire not to smoke when I smell coffee, when I get in a car, when the kids are being a PITA and I just want to step outside for 5 minutes peace and quiet... if you’ve solutions for those I’d gladly take them too )

Why are people comparing smoking (which subjects everyone around them to the harmful effects of second hand smoke) with minor inconveniences such as children being noisy or the smell of chips?

Smoking seems to be quite the touchy subject.

Yeah it's vile. Disgusting habit, sign of weakness.

I completely agree OP. I hate smoking with a passion, my very dearly loved Grandad died a horrible undignified painful death due to smoking-related cancers and given there are absolutely no positive benefits to smoking at all whereas the risks to the smoker and others are very clearly documented, I think it should be illegal everywhere except someone's own garden IF they live in a detached house in the middle of a field with no neighbours. Can we ban alcohol as well then? My father died a horrible undignified painful death due to alcohol related liver failure. I think the risks of alcohol are also well documented.

Thinking about it how about sugar? Dental problems, obesity yes sugar needs banning as well.

The list could go on and on.

@roarfeckingroarr

Yeah it's vile. Disgusting habit, sign of weakness.

Why the biscuit? You don't think it shows a pretty weak character if you deliberately harm yourself and others?

Drinking alcohol does impact society though - drink drivers, domestic abuse, violence in town on a night out, sexual assault, litter in towns and vandalism causing damage to property after a Fri or Sat night. All worsened by consumption of alcohol and directly impacting individuals and society generally - if you ban smoking alcohol should go by the same virtue.

@NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace

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

This.

And I say that as a lifelong smoker and asthmatic.

@roarfeckingroarr

Why the biscuit? You don't think it shows a pretty weak character if you deliberately harm yourself and others?

Nah. As I stated before in the thread, my DM can't quit the habit after she picked it up through living on her nerves as a young 20 year old who was beaten by her husband. So no, I wouldn't call her weak actually

Yes, it is not fair to expose other people to the fumes and smell.

Well it's an addiction isn't it? Is someone suffering with nicotine withdrawal expected to travel home to have their lunchtime cigarette? Most smokers try to be courteous. Why on mumsnet are smokers always blowing smoke into people's faces

What if some people don't have private outdoor spaces? Are they forced to smoke inside their homes?

Addicts should be treated sympathetically not as per usual on here: sneered at for being Disgusting, smelly a weak useless druggie or whatever. The modern day leper of society.