So, this smoking ban............how many of you are for it, and how many against?

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

If you are against it - why are you?

they have food in many pubs and just because it is 'outdoors' does not stop people like my ds having to inhale other people's smoke [they hold it away from themselves, naturally].

Agree with others on here up here in Scotland it hasn't been the big deal it was supposed to be. It was lovely on Sunday to take the DDs out to luch knowing that no one was going to be blowing smoke around them. Some pubs have their smoking area and their family beer garden separate which is great. Most smokers I know are more than happy to go outside and actually enjoy the chat with other smokers. I also hate the having to navigate loads of smokers outside Ladbrokes or pubs when you are pushing a buggy.

17,000 children were admitted to hospital last year in the UK (don't quote me don't know where I picked this up from but remember hearing it) with illnesses as a direct result of passive smoking, IMO smoking in enclosed spaces in front of children should be banned I think it's a form of child abuse. Strong opinion but having spent years in the back of a car or lounge with 2 parents puffing away regardless and always having chest conditions has made me utterly despise smoking.

No, we'll be lke hunt saboteurs and storm the pubs with great big rollies

yep i have asthma and spent my childhood around smokers in the house.

Icing on the cake, I DO agree that smoking should be banned in any public place where people have to sit and there are children present, but lots of people enjoy smoking whilst having a drink so I don't think an outright ban on smoking in ALL pubs is right. As smoking is not illegal, I believe that I have the right to enter a pub and smoke. If the pub declared it self a non smoking pub, I wouldn't dream of lighting up in it.

You have the choice whether or not to go in it as well.

One interesting point about the smoking ban is how it will affect landlords' attitudes towards children in bars.

Naturally, many parents will feel more comfortable about bringing their children into pubs after July 1st. My landlord (to name but one) is considering a part-ban on children as a counter-attack.

Kids running around a load of grumpy old men who can't have a fag is a recipe for disaster!

if cigarettes had been invented today they would not be legal anyway.

for UCM - wise words, are you coming with me and Desi?

But whoever said 'it's going to happen, get over it. You are right'. Doesn't mean I have to agree with it

They can smoke outside then just like they do in Ireland and Scotland. I like to have a drink in a smoke fre pub of my choice not one that does or doesnt allow smoking they shoudl all be the same. NO smoking.

I don't think there should be a smokers room in a pub, you can still smoke outside. People started smoking by choice, no one ties you down and forces you to smoke.

yes Des my worry is people who don't like cigarettes and those with children will be forced indoors and no longer be able to enjoy outside spaces in restaurants and pubs.

true UCM very true

Oh I don't know....

I don't smoke, haven't for 11 years and I hate walking into a smoky place, and I know it's disgusting and unhealthy... but but but... I have this horror of things being banned. And there is a bit of me that thinks we all rather enjoy the chance to pick on others who do things differently to us. And I do feel that the more we are forced to do things or prevented from doing things, the less natural consideration we tend to show. Leave it up to individuals to regulate their behaviour and the majority do so - make it a law and no-one thinks they need to do so. Taking responsibility away from people again I suppose. DOn't suppose I'm making any sense and maybe it doesn't apply to smoking - I guess I'm talking generally...

Plus I take my kids to pubs for meals in the summer and we usually sit in the garden. I can see them turning into huge ashtrays now the inside is smoke-free.

Yep lets go down the pub for a pint & a fag now. Getch yer coats girls

i guess you lot know that each cigarette gives you the equivalent radiation dose of a chest x ray. And that there is hefty dose of polonium 210 in there too.

Ang on, I'm coming........

Not roll ups don't Ruty!

I am against an outright ban. I dont think there should be any smoking in places serving food (because anyone can go without a fag for an hour or so), this includes planes/trains/boats/cinemas etc.
However i think pubs should have had the option of being either smoking or non smoking, this then gives adults (and thats what we are) a choice as to where we choose to drink and whether we put our health at risk or not.

This smacks of nany-state rubbish as per usual, it wouldnt be tolerated in many countries, there would be an outcry!! Even Dr. Robert Winstone was interviewed the other day and said he didnt agree with it and said it was taking away peoples civil rights which i was quite shocked about

Can I come too - for a drink and no fag?

Well said Mosschops, what I've been trying to say (less eloquently than you)!

Sweetkitty I know how you feel - my parents did this too (though we didn't have a car). Hate waking up to the smell. My mum would even smoke sitting on the toilet - gross. Anyway, Icing what about prisoners wrongly convicted? I assume you realise some prisoners are actually innocent? Psychiatric patients are guilty of nothing other than being unwell. The law says they must not be in their own home, therefore they cannot smoke in it. There are no choices for these groups of people and imo it is wrong to ban them from smoking.

Of course you can Orm... welcome - we don't ban people for not smoking!

So Mosschops, how did giving up go? I DID try

I don't think this is about the rights of smokers. I think the ban was put in place to respect the rights of non smokers.