To think public smoking should be banned

[CreamLampshade]

I live in London and am sick of constantly trying to avoid breathing in disgusting cigarette smoke or the weird sickly smell of vapes. There’s only so much you can swerve, speed past people or cross the road. I feel it’s very selfish to smoke in public spaces, especially crowded streets when people can’t avoid breathing it in. Why can’t people take responsibility for their own health - and others - and just give it up? It’s disgusting and really selfish.

Agree. Hate it, hate big plumes of strawberry vape floating in my face every time I walk through a busy street. For those saying "oh well let's ban cars too" - co2 regulations are attempting to reduce this kind of pollution so why not regulate smoking / vaping too.

I would be very much opposed to any further restrictions for smokers.

I was a smoker for many years but gave up nearly 30 years ago, but have managed not to become a fervent anti smoker like many ex smokers. Although it was introduced long after I had stopped, I thought the ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants was wrong, and if restaurateurs and publicans were happy to allow smoking on their premises, I think they should have been allowed to make a decision on what they would allow on their own premises and I think the ban has led to the closure of many pubs.

The smell of cigarette smoke doesn't bother me at all, and I find the smell of people eating fried chicken on public transport, BO, and people talking loudly and playing music/games on their phones far more offensive.

Just to say .. my lovely mother.. a subject of 40s/50s posh upbringing once said to me when I took up smoking in my late teens ....

For goodness sake.. NEVER walk and smoke .. it's so common. !

(Not a word about the untold health issues that killed her father..) just how awful it is to see a 'lady' walking and smoking. Smoking was to only be considered ok when sitting down with a G&T .. 🙈..

I smoked on and off until my late 30s but couldn't do it standing up !

Haha. It is true, really. There is no class in walking and smoking!

she was right!

Interesting. I would actively avoid pubs and restaurants that allowed in this scenario, but agree with this idea if it means that if people want to smoke they have a place to do it where it’s not imposed on others.

suspect that it would be quite a big class divide between the two.

It's more than something "bothering" you - it's the health impacts of second hand smoke. People talking loudly is a very different beast...

Nah, I love smoking. I smoke 2 or 3 cigarettes a week, and strictly never more than one a day. I simply don't smoke enough to be addicted. Around 15 years ago I used to smoke as a serious habit, and I remember what it's like to feel addicted to nicotine, so I'm pretty confident in my assessment.

I personally really like the smell of smoke but agree that it's anti social. I'm so paranoid of being thought bad of that I put my cigarette out if someone is about to walk past me.

@peonym I completely understand the argument about the health impact of cigarette smoke indoors, but don't accept that smoking outside is any more dangerous than walking along a road with loads of polluting vehicles. Surely a car that is idling in traffic is emitting far more pollutants and is potentially far more damaging that someone walking past smoking a cigarette.

'Vapes are so gross. They smell of old, sweet popcorn to me. And people smoking them look like overgrown children with dummies. Saw a pregnant women smoking one the other day. I get they’re addictive but I just think there are some things you need to prioritise like your babies health over an urge that will at some point go away.'

You know she is prioritising the health of her baby right? She's not smoking!

From the NHS Website!

People can't win! They try to stop smoking by using vapes & still people moan about people smelling of popcorn 🙁

It’s safer, but not necessarily safe. There’s a difference.

There's a lot of things I'd like to ban, including drunk people, shouting people, cars, motor bikes, people talking loudly on their phones in public ... vaping and cigarette smoke don't bother me, I quite like the smell. They already have to go outside, leave them alone and let them do what they want.

Yes safer! Doing her bloody best!

Honestly this thread is so judgemental!

If someone has a nicotine patch stuck to their arm they are doing great, if they use a vape, they are babyish, look ridiculous, smell of strawberries whatever but at least they are trying to stop smoking fgs!

Lots of what you've posted makes you look dim but this is probably the pinnacle. I'm baffled anyone can be this ignorant about addiction. I've never smoked or vaped and it doesn't take much intelligence or effort to understand it isn't easy to quit.

There's car pollution regs.

Pretty much sums it up actually

We were in London recently and I noticed loads more people smoking there than up north.

Smoking should be banned full stop

YANBU. I would definitely support a ban in public spaces. It's disgusting to get a lungful of cigarette smoke or vape.

I have supported people through some very serious addictions. I know it’s hard. But it is perfectly possible to give up smoking, and it’s nothing compared to a serious drug addiction which many manage to pull themselves out of. Plus most people I know who have smoked have now given up.

They’re just replacing one addiction with something even more addictive, and looking stupid in the process. I don’t really care what they do with their bodies tbh, but I don’t want it in my face.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6651627/#:~:text=The%20nicotine%20dependence%20levels%20measured,1.6%3B%20p%20%3C%200.001).

Lol. The only people I know who still smoke are 'affluent'.

Have you seen the price of a pack of fags these days?

Well done OP on getting a good old smoker bashing thread going, haven’t seen one for a week or two. Smoking is still legal so mind your own fucking business, they are outside so deal with it!!!!

Public Health England say they are 95% less harmful than smoking.

Switching to vaping gets rid of all the negatives associated with long-term tobacco smoking.

Or walk and smoke and push a wee one in a buggy all at the same time. Absolutely multi talented.

This one’s a 60-a-day, with that many exclamation marks.

DBro needs to give it up. Each packet must cost a fortune. He always complains he has no money- why's that then?🙄