AIBU to dislike David Hockney for opposing the smoking ban?

[Bertiebiscuit]

I always disliked David Hockney for his campaign against the Smoking indoors in public places ban, probably the best thing the then sensible Labour government did for public health and predictably the Guardian supported him - that rag is always on the wrong side of history. No doubt he would have lived longer had he had any sense. That legislation brought in stop smoking clinics, trained smoking cessation counsellors and inspired stop smoking aids like nicotine replacement therapy. Probably the biggest positive change in public health since sewers and soap. One selfish old man with no children did his level best to interfere, we should not deify him.

Ths is such a strange post. I'm not one to spout guff about 'not speaking ill of the dead' (if they were arseholes in life they were still arseholes). But to start a thread the day his death is announced about how you dislike hiim because a simply point of view he held- that's quite - extreme. He wasn't killing puppies on screen FFS.

Horrible thread, maybe it's just the usual raigbait seeking attention

People like the OP think those who don't have any children of their own don't have a 'stake in society', so to speak. Load of old shite, but it's a sentiment you do come across.

I followed this story at the time. I'm not convinced the whole truth came out, but I also don't necessarily think David Hockney was personally involved.

I have to say OP, I do actually always think about this when I see him mentioned. He was SO vocal about his right to smoke in public enclosed places, his whole argument was about his rights, no thought about anyone else’s choices or health. It definitely made me think less of him at the time and I have remembered it ever since.

But people are complex. He was in many ways a brilliant ambassador for a much denigrated northern city. He made some great art and was prolific in to his old age. I don’t think he was a saint but I get why people liked him and understand them mourning his death.

He's dead.

You aren’t only being unreasonable, you’re being pathetic. A long life of talent and adventure reduced to his stance on a single issue. Ludicrous.

Yes, so disrespectful, churlish and depressing.

Not just unreasonable but utterly vile. He was an extraordinary artist who died just short of his 89th birthday. Of all the days to start a discussion about smoking this most certainly isn't it. What a reprehensible post to make.

I really, really want to know who the 29 people who think @Bertiebiscuit is being reasonable are.

@Bertiebiscuit just listened to the short obituary on UK news, one tidbit was that during a party for his 70TH birthday at Tate Britain 2007 they suspended the fire alarms for 10 minutes so he could have a tab 🤗😘 Love it.

I met him about 40 years ago. Huge thrill. I own a signed poster.
Wonderful artist and a very thoughtful man

Er, thanks for sharing.

If you hear some of his interviews, you will come across his ability to give smooth, genial, and polished ways of responding to sensationalist frothing and rude questions that tried to stir scandal around his lifestyle and views, so I'm enjoying thinking of several of those past examples and how they may have compared to elements of your post.

I hate smoking and fully supported the smoking ban but it seems a bit mean spirited to hold a grudge and not only that air it when the man’s just died. He was 88 so hardly died young anyway did he.

Absolutely this.

I'm a non-smoker, never-been-a-smoker, but I respect his right to express his views and his opposition to this.

Disregarding his huge contribution to art because you disagree on one subject is so petty.

That's your take away about the life of David Hockney?? Seriously?? Talk about pearls before swine.

I disliked his views on smoking but love some of his art.
His views on smoking didn’t hold sway so didn’t harm anyone else. His art will continue to enrich many people’s life for years to come.

YABVVU.

What a horrible post.

Also, we've had stop smoking services since 2001 and OTC NRT (which is shite by the way) since the 1990s.

While the smoking ban undoubtedly improved the health of non-smokers there is no evidence it led to a reduction in smoking. In fact, the reduction in prevalence slowed markedly from 2007, only picking up again in the mid 2010s when smokers started switching to vaping. This coincided with massive cuts to stop smoking services, so ...

I hate smoking and vaping never tried then and never will but no i have no issue with what he said not need to cancel him to male myself feel better

‘Today is not the day for posting it’ - so you did. Make it make sense.

You really tried hard to find something to be offended about, didn't you?

Horrible post and horrible mentality.

My attitude is: David Hockney wasn't a friend of mine - he was a major artist.

I'm only interested in him as an artist (in terms of judging him, I don't mean I have no interest in his life etc). I couldn't care less whether he smoked or drank!

Honestly, OP, if you think like that there'd be no artists, composers, actors or musicians you'd approve of!

When will we stop looking for reasons to disapprove of people? Unless he was a paedophile or a murderer, his personal habits are fine by me.

If we disdained all the great artists who were addicted to some sort of drug, the world would be significantly poorer, artistically.

So he expressed an opinion that you did not like, OP. Hardly the crime of the century.

If you take such exception to someone thinking differently to you, I can only assume you have very few friends.

My thoughts exactly.

He was one man, entitled to his opinion and was about to turn 89 next month so if you think he'd have lived much longer without being a smoker you're clearly delusional.

How about showing some respect and keeping your opinions to yourself at the present time, when many people will be feeling the loss of a spectacularly talented artist?