This appear to be my favourite subject recently.
From the BBC News Discussion on a possible smoking ban
“I sympathise with all the non-smokers who don’t wish to be forced to breathe second hand smoke, but by the same token I don’t want to be attacked by an aggressive drunk when I’m on a night out, so will drinking in public places also be banned?”
Ian, Stoke on Trent, England
Drinking isn’t being drunk and abusive is, infact it’s a criminal offence known as being drunk and disorderly. Also many councils don’t allow drinking on the streets (I’m a little unsure about this but I believe it’s true in Portsmouth atleast). I’m pretty sure that there are several laws that protect against actual violence and many more against other antisocial behaviour. So that’s that point done away with.
” No, I don’t believe smoking should be banned in public places. Isn’t this a form of discrimination?…..As more and more people give up smoking, the government collects less tax from it. This shortfall must be collected elsewhere, i.e. out of the pockets of non-smokers”
Jay, Wigan
Ok then if it’s a form of discrimination how about I sue smokers for some form of abuse?
The bits I chopped out talked about driving smoking underground. A little far fetched as you’ll be able to smoke in your own home. Maybe there would be ‘private’ pubs for smokers or maybe they’d just go outside like they have to in the office or many other places already.
And taxes. Well smoking isn’t being banned outright so the taxes will keep on rolling in whilst people are addicted. Maybe more people will smoke less or give it up so yes taxes may decrease in the long term but that will hopefully be countered by the reduction in smoking related illnesses and hence the cost to the NHS which I suspect is more than then revenue raised from taxing tobacco.
“I am a smoker, enjoy nights out and because I am a smoker pay more tax than non-smokers. Why should I be shoved onto the street to enjoy a cigarette?”
Lisa, UK
And as a smoker you will put a greater burden on the NHS in the future. In my opinion you should be forced to smoke in separate rooms to cause yourself harm. I hate people smoking anywhere even if it isn’t as bad on the street it’s still unpleasant.
“Whatever happened to freedom of choice in this country? It’s ok to gamble and drink all night but not ok to smoke in a pub?”
Jason, Dudley, England
I’ve mentioned freedom of choice before. Gambling and Drinking don’t directly cause harm to others and there are laws to control them already. Infact that point was made by the next person on the page
“Ban smoking in restaurants. Whilst you’re there, ban alcohol as that is dangerous. Ban high fat content in food, ban E numbers, ban petrol so we can’t go out in the first place. Sick to death of this nanny state.”
Paul Gatsby, Newcastle, UK
All those sound reasonable to me. Except the fact that it is possible to go out without petrol, we have these things called legs, that is if you can see past your big fat cholesterol filled stomach to see them.
Do I sound a bit harsh? Smoking pisses me off. I don’t like people doing it, it serves no purpose and it does harm to me and others. Someone give me a good reason for it and I will accept the point but to be fair if you were God and you could go back and decide whether or not to create tobacco or not you’d be hard-pushed to find a reason to create it.
So to Ian, Jay, Lisa, Jason and Paul, you can all f**k off and damage your own lungs and no-one elses and don’t come crying to me when you want a new pair
