Scotland's Smoking Ban

Pablo Honey · 05-07-2006, 05:21 AM

On the 26th of March 2006, the Scottish Executive put into force a ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces, pubs and resteraunts included, train stations, bus stops, everywhere. I have yet to hear of anyone being arrested or fined yet, but that's not my point. All the pubs have heated outdoor smoking areas now.

I hear old men on the bus saying, 'It's like a police state, them controlling us. We have a right to smoke.'

Do you think this is true? Do you think the Executive had the right to stop from smoking, which is a right in a free country, even if the ban was for our own good? We're all adults, we know the consequences of lighting up, it's hard to miss the SMOKING KILLS sign on every packet of cigarettes. Some say it's just the say of some busybody fanatic anit-smokers, who are in a vast minority; others say it's just our government trying to show off to the English.

They could've had smoking areas, to prevent passive smoking. But they went the whole way; smoking has been banned on the buses for years, to prevent non-smokers from being harmed.

There's also the question of alcohol; they'd never dare to restrict the consumption of that to people's own homes. It claims many more lives, costs both the NHS and the police a lot more time and money, and degrades society in a way that smoking never could.

So, any thoughts? Did they have the right to ban it? Should they be concentrating more on controlling alcohol consumption? Are we, as the old men say, walking into a police state?

VIVI17 · 05-07-2006, 05:32 AM

smokingis bad for you you should not smoke they should ban smoking everwhere and than they legalized weed than i will be happy

Pablo Honey · 05-07-2006, 05:42 AM

I'm afraid I couldn't make much sense of that; are you saying that smoking should be banned, yet weed legalised? Isn't that just a teensy-weensy bit contradictory?

VIVI17 · 05-07-2006, 05:52 AM

no no no weed dose not give you lung cancer as fast as cig and cig tast life shit any way cig will kill you even if you dont smoke them is that some shit do you under stand now what im talking about

Helter Skelter · 05-07-2006, 05:54 AM

I think the whole idea was a bit stupid, in that they haven't even considered designated smoking areas in pubs in restaurants, which is what many establishments had already had. Millions of people now have to stand in the cold and rain just to exercise their civil liberties freely. It seems that the government is persecuting smokers simply because they smoke. It's an almost ridiculous thing to see groups of smokers huddled in the rain outside pubs and restaurants just because a handful of oversensitive bastards think they'll die if they happen to inhale a bit of smoke.

We'll just wait and see if they ban consumption of alcohol in pubs and bars.

VIVI17 · 05-07-2006, 05:56 AM

they will not do that because that s what you go to the pub to do is drink and have fun

Pablo Honey · 05-07-2006, 05:58 AM

I see, Vivi17. But allow me to make some points.

You seem to be very unaware of the facts about smoking cannabis. I know a lot about it, and have smoked it before, very possibly unlike you.

Cannabis is worse for you than smoking cigarettes. In one joint there is one cigarette, for a start, so you get the nicotine. Hash affects your brain and your muscles, there is no evidence that it doesn't cause lung cancer, and it tastes just as bad. It's worse for you.

Anyways, back to the topic at hand...some valid points there, Eggman, thanks.

Tiffany · 05-07-2006, 05:59 AM

Huzzah!

They've done that where I live. Mainly it's the cities that dictate wether they are smoke free or not. Mine is. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

I'm not going to try and crusade for people to actually quit smoking. That will never happen. But why should I (as a reformed smoker... I smoked for 10 years, and quit 3.5 years ago) have to deal with smoke when I'm trying to eat, have a coffee or watch a movie? It's disgusting. Kill yourself with cancer for all I care, just don't take ME down with you with all the dangers of Second Hand Smoke.

If I go into a smokers house, I will respect the fact that it's their house and won't say anything if they smoke (but won't stay long, lol). Ditto for people who smoke and come to my place. But the general public has to be protected as well, IMO.

We do the same thing. I live in Canada, trust me it gets damn cold here in the winters, but they have the heated outdoor patios. Now those patios are the "it" place to be. Funny how it works out. Even the people who smoked and were opposed to this when it first came into effect have come around and don't mind it so much.

If anything, I think people arn't that willing to adapt to change.

Jin · 05-07-2006, 06:03 AM

There's been a smoking ban where I live for some time now and it's wonderful in my opinion.

Second hand smoke is harmful. Smoking around other people is dangerous to thier health. Why in the world should it be legal to force people to endure such health risks when they go to public places? Smoke at home or outside, or anywhere else that is your private domain. It's not asking to much at all.

Helter Skelter · 05-07-2006, 06:07 AM

This is why designated smoking areas would be a good idea; those who are irritated by second hand smoke wouldn't be forced to endure anything. Instead, people have to stand outside to smoke, in Scotland, where the weather is even more annoying than second-****ing-hand smoke.

Pablo Honey · 05-07-2006, 06:15 AM

I feel I should say here that people got lung cancer before tobacco was ever smoked at all...there is still no concrete evidence that passive smoking kills, though I won't deny that it is annoying and probably harmful, in some way.

Tiffany, you said that people aren't willing to adapt...it's quite the opposite here. People smoke outside without so much as a complaint. It's just accepted as the norm now, without any grumbles. Scottish smokers have taken to it very well, but it's odd to find that standing outside in the rain is more sociable than sitting indoors now...people go out for a fag in groups; smoking has remained a social activity.

I still think designated areas would've been better; I don't appreciate getting odd looks for having a smoke in a bus shelter. (And, hey, these are Scottish bus shelters; they DO NOT keep fresh air (or, rather, the daily gale-force winds) out of them.)

Tiffany · 05-07-2006, 06:18 AM

Our smokers here are never adept to change! But then again, when winter comes around and it's -30c with the windchill and they're in their bar clothes, I can see why.

But that's fantastic that yours are pretty good. They are here now as well, but when the law was passed, hoooooboy there were alot of angry people!

Pablo Honey · 05-07-2006, 06:30 AM

I think that here, we're just after an easy life, haha. I'll always remember Saturday the 25th though, in the pubs...I was out there with two of my friends, and I have never seen so many fine examples of chainsmoking in my entire life. But by then, the outdoor areas were all ready and all everyone was talking about was how controlled they felt; they calmed down soon enough though, we even have specially shaped coasters that say, 'Leave my drink, i'm having a smoke' to put over your drink while you're outside. They seem a little like inviting yourself to be date-raped though, everyone avoids them, haha.