NationStates Jolt Archive


Smoking Ban in Italy

Cabbage Land
11-01-2005, 02:16
link to boring article (http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/01/10/italy-smoke-050110.html)

Only the outdoors, private homes, and restaurants and bars with ventilated smoking rooms are exempt from the ban.

Smokers could be fined the equivalent of $400 if caught smoking where they shouldn't be, while business owners who turn a blind eye to smoking face fines as high as $3,500.I see this as part of a global effort to slowly eliminate smoking and I agree with it. I know a lot of people who struggle to quit and then they finally do it when their doctor shows them how much it's killing them. And no one I know encourages me to smoke, more like the opposite -except for one manager I had who every day would come up with a new reason for me to start smoking as a joke- so it's sad to hear so many people are still starting and sucks to see people skipping meals to be able to afford them.

Also, I work in a 'no smoking' place and my co-workers light up (or roll weed) if no customer's are around, so obviously I don't expect everyone to agree or even follow this new ban though. Economise-wise I suppose there are some comparisons with smoking to the gambling industry so if anyone has thoughts on that it would be nice to hear. This post isn't as good as I'd like so am hoping don't get flamed too badly for stuff I left out. Discuss(?)
Jordaxia
11-01-2005, 02:19
I agree with it. People who commit an action should be fit around those who don't, in this case. The law should start off supporting the anti-smokers, then fit in the smokers where it sees fit, not the other way round. Regardless of any poluting effects which it is usually argued are negligable, it's simply not a comfortable environment for non-smokers to be in. And since they are not the "offending" party, they are the one that the law should look to first, in my opinion.
Colodia
11-01-2005, 02:21
It's just like how it is in California. People just politely find ways around it (by following the rules), others....just puff smoke in your face as you walk into a building.....but they're still outside!
Markreich
11-01-2005, 02:21
I'm also for cellphone and child-free dining sections. :)
Jayastan
11-01-2005, 02:22
The "outdoors" is vague and a little silly. Gimmie a break, I can see in public indoor areas but the entire outdoors? :rolleyes:
Kwangistar
11-01-2005, 02:23
Private businesses should be able decide their smoking policies for themselves.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 02:23
Smoking: Still more acceptable in public than masturbation.

But not for long ;)
Cabbage Land
11-01-2005, 02:25
Smoking: Still more acceptable in public than masturbation.

But not for long ;)winner :D
Colodia
11-01-2005, 02:25
Actually, I find it hard imagining people smoking indoors....I don't think I've EVER seen ANYONE smoking indoors! Save for people in the houses I visit.
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 02:25
sucks to see people skipping meals to be able to afford them.

Where the hell do you live? I've been to 3rd world countries where people could afford smokes as well as a meal.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 02:28
Actually, I find it hard imagining people smoking indoors....I don't think I've EVER seen ANYONE smoking indoors! Save for people in the houses I visit.
Even speaking as a smoker it isn't nice, the only time I smoke in doors is next to a wide open window.
Chess Squares
11-01-2005, 02:28
oh no! they can only smoke outside..in their homes..and in ventilated buildings?

how the fuck is this a "smoking ban" in any sense of the word?
Colodia
11-01-2005, 02:29
oh no! they can only smoke outside..in their homes..and in ventilated buildings?

how the fuck is this a "smoking ban" in any sense of the word?
It's a step in the right direction. Not really a smoking ban. But it's a good start.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 02:30
Where the hell do you live? I've been to 3rd world countries where people could afford smokes as well as a meal.
Somewhere with punative taxes on tobacco is my guess. Maybe Canada
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 02:31
Somewhere with punative taxes on tobacco is my guess. Maybe Canada
Whats a pack of smokes in Canada then? $50?
Adindrial
11-01-2005, 02:35
This is very interesting and I lovethe idea because I can move to Italy and join the REAL Italian mafia selling smokes insted of beer......jk. But really I think that its a good step to take though people shouldnt be abel to smoke in any Major publice place, though thats just my opinion. They should have a vote and list specific places in specific citys were public smokeing shouldnt be allowed, like haveing votes only specifice to the city your in if you get what im saying. I just want all smokers to die and stop poloting my lungs :sniper: .
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 02:36
Whats a pack of smokes in Canada then? $50?
No idea, can't find any current figures. But it seems as if the UK is the most expensive (taking into account purchasing power)
Musack
11-01-2005, 02:36
Whats a pack of smokes in Canada then? $50?


between $7.30 and $9.50
Colodia
11-01-2005, 02:36
poloting
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=poloting&btnG=Google+Search
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 02:37
This is very interesting and I lovethe idea because I can move to Italy and join the REAL Italian mafia selling smokes insted of beer......
Too late. That market has already been cornered by the Poles, Albanians, Russians and Vietnamese.
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 02:38
between $7.30 and $9.50
Thats just slightly more then we pay for a pack of smokes.
Agneau
11-01-2005, 02:39
I really hope that it works out for Italy. Maybe other members of the EU will notice the health benefits and follow as well. It appears to be working in Ireland with reports of more non-smokers going to bars than before the ban. Of course a total ban will never happen in the United States, but only because all of the tobacco is grown in the Carolinas and Virgina. The tobacco industry lobbyists will never let a ban even come up for a vote. However, I am completely biased because I think smoking is totally nasty. :headbang:

Tobacco Industy :gundge:

;)
Cabbage Land
11-01-2005, 02:41
how the <snip> is this a "smoking ban" in any sense of the word?Only the outdoors, private homes, and restaurants and bars with ventilated smoking rooms are exempt from the ban.
And if you have a family and a crappy job then you can't exactly afford to eat like a king (by north american standards anyway), and additional expenses are not exactly helpful.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 02:42
I really hope that it works out for Italy. Maybe other members of the EU will notice the health benefits and follow as well.

We do know the health benefits, just as we know the economic benefits to allow smoking and tax it heavily ;)
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 02:45
We do know the health benefits, just as we know the economic benefits to allow smoking and tax it heavily ;)
But i don't think the Brits have yet encountered the ciggarette maffia. The kind of thing that pops up when you make stuff illegal or tax it TO heavily.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 02:53
But i don't think the Brits have yet encountered the ciggarette maffia. The kind of thing that pops up when you make stuff illegal or tax it TO heavily.

Well from taxing too highly the gvt has realised it is losing millions each year through smuggling. And there is a newsagents (well, there are many) in Fallowfield, Manchester, were you get cheap fags.
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 02:54
Well from taxing too highly the gvt has realised it is losing millions each year through smuggling. And there is a newsagents (well, there are many) in Fallowfield, Manchester, were you get cheap fags.
Aha. But did have you had mob wars over ciggarettes yet?
Tamarket
11-01-2005, 02:57
I think the ban is a good thing, but it doesn't go far enough. What difference does it make if the room is ventilated indoors? Smoking should be banned in all public indoor areas, and it should be legal to wound and assault smokers who are in violation of the law, in my view.
Markreich
11-01-2005, 03:00
Back when smoking was legal in Connecticut bars, I used to light up a cigar.
Surprisingly, smokers would come up to be and ask me to put it out, but few staff ever did. In fact, some bartenders told me I could stay lit if I wanted to.

There's nothing cigarette smokers hate more than their smokey air being taken over. :)
Crydonia
11-01-2005, 03:03
I used to work in a place that had a very simple smoking rule. If you look up, and see sky, you can smoke. They also provided an outdoor eating area for the smokers, and the indoor eating area was totally smoke free. It worked fine.

I agree with the new laws in Italy, and I'm a smoker, as I've been in clubs and bars etc, and have been literally choking on smoke. If it made me choke, I can only imagine what the non-smokers were going through. A minor annoyance with indoor smoke, is that it makes you stink. I have come out of places, and my clothers, and hair reek of the stuff.

sigh, I really need to give up this nasty habit.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 03:03
I think the ban is a good thing, but it doesn't go far enough. What difference does it make if the room is ventilated indoors?

Well, by definition a room is indoors. And if the room is ventilated it means the smoke doesn't hang in the air (just like in the ventilated outdoors) and presents a lesser harm.

Smoking should be banned in all public indoor areas,

True.

But there is a difference between a public place and a private place which is open to the public.

and it should be legal to would and assault smokers who are in violation of the law, in my view.

I think it should be legal to verbally assault sanctimonious little parasites. Diffrent strokes for different folks I suppose.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 03:05
Back when smoking was legal in Connecticut bars, I used to light up a cigar.
Surprisingly, smokers would come up to be and ask me to put it out, but few staff ever did. In fact, some bartenders told me I could stay lit if I wanted to.

There's nothing cigarette smokers hate more than their smokey air being taken over. :)

We should join up to get rid of those pesky pipe smokers though.
Markreich
11-01-2005, 03:10
We should join up to get rid of those pesky pipe smokers though.

LOL!!
Nah. They're too few, and they work so hard to keep it lit. :)


(That, and I'd rather smell Captain Black than KOOL anyday...)
Tamarket
11-01-2005, 03:11
Let us push to replace cigarettes with little sticks of dynamite!
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 03:12
We should join up to get rid of those pesky pipe smokers though.
Pipe smoking is intellectuel. You have something against intellectuels?
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 03:13
Let us push to replace cigarettes with little sticks of dynamite!
That would defeat the purpose of smoking though.

I hear slow and painful deaths are in these days.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 03:14
Pipe smoking is intellectuel. You have something against intellectuels?
Yes, I canno stand the way they bring facts and figures into arguements and demand for evidence.
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 03:15
Yes, I canno stand the way they bring facts and figures into arguements and demand for evidence.
Yeah. Thats kinda annoying.
Ryanania
11-01-2005, 03:20
They should work on banning alcohol. Alcohol kills innocent bystanders as well as the drunks themselves.
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 03:21
They should work on banning alcohol. Alcohol kills innocent bystanders as well as the drunks themselves.
Yeah. I agree. It's been to long since the maffia was able to make a decent living with booze.
Markreich
11-01-2005, 03:24
They should work on banning alcohol. Alcohol kills innocent bystanders as well as the drunks themselves.

JFK Jr's plane has killed more people than my beer. :D
Cabbage Land
11-01-2005, 03:28
But alcohol has stupid redeeming factors!
Two year old smoking = bad.
Two year old drinking = cute.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 03:36
But alcohol has stupid redeeming factors!
Two year old smoking = bad.
Two year old drinking = cute.


If your ever really bored, get a boy/girl friend (either actual or a freind who is a boy/girl) and dress in your slobbiest clothes. Go down to the supermarket and fill a trolley up with booze, but just before you go to the check get a pack of baby nappies (diapers). After you are told the price, make out that you don't have enough money and give the nappies to your girl friend to put back on the selves then stand back and look at the disgust on the check out persons face :D
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 03:39
If your ever really bored, get a boy/girl friend (either actual or a freind who is a boy/girl) and dress in your slobbiest clothes. Go down to the supermarket and fill a trolley up with booze, but just before you go to the check get a pack of baby nappies (diapers). After you are told the price, make out that you don't have enough money and give the nappies to your girl friend to put back on the selves then stand back and look at the disgust on the check out persons face :D
Brilliant!!!! I'll try that this weekend. :D
BlatantSillyness
11-01-2005, 04:05
If your ever really bored, get a boy/girl friend (either actual or a freind who is a boy/girl) and dress in your slobbiest clothes. Go down to the supermarket and fill a trolley up with booze, but just before you go to the check get a pack of baby nappies (diapers). After you are told the price, make out that you don't have enough money and give the nappies to your girl friend to put back on the selves then stand back and look at the disgust on the check out persons face :D
Ed Byrne rocks
Sdaeriji
11-01-2005, 04:25
We should join up to get rid of those pesky pipe smokers though.

Like hell! You'll never get rid of us!
Zekhaust
11-01-2005, 04:41
Back when smoking was legal in Connecticut bars, I used to light up a cigar.
Surprisingly, smokers would come up to be and ask me to put it out, but few staff ever did. In fact, some bartenders told me I could stay lit if I wanted to.

There's nothing cigarette smokers hate more than their smokey air being taken over. :)

Difference: Cigars smell much better than cigarettes. And is there all the same poisons and chems in the Cigars then Cigarettes?

I still find smoking to be a nasty habit.
Markreich
11-01-2005, 05:25
Difference: Cigars smell much better than cigarettes. And is there all the same poisons and chems in the Cigars then Cigarettes?

I still find smoking to be a nasty habit.

It depends. Some cigars smell better than cigs, some don't. Generally, if you can get cigars in a paper box from your local supermarket, you probably don't want them. Occasional exceptions: Backwoods and Swisher Sweets WITH the wood tips. However, keep in mind that you should not inhale cigar smoke (it's MUCH heavier than cigarette smoke).

Cigars in general do not have any chemical additives as there are in cigarettes.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 12:57
Ed Byrne rocks
I was going to put his name there but I wasn't quite sure if anyone had heard of him
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 12:59
Like hell! You'll never get rid of us!

We will sneak up behing you as you try and keep it like :)
Helioterra
11-01-2005, 13:38
I don't smoke but I don't like these bans for several reasons.

First, why ban it completely? Well, in Italy they should certainly ban it in hospitals, buses and shops. But not in bars and restaurants. They could limit the area where it's free to smoke. Let's say 60% of restaurant should be non-smoking. Ventilation stops the smoke from spreading all over the place. I quess this system is quite common. If people really want to be in non-smoking bar then why the smoking area is always full and the non-smoking area almost empty? And it might be alright to always smoke outside if you live in Florida, but it's quite cold up here.

Second, when you choose to work in a bar you choose your working enviroment. You'll inhale smoke. That's it. You knew it. Useless to complain about it later.

Third, (only in few countries) thousands of bars and restaurants have been forced to rebuild their ventilation systems during past couple years. It has been very expensive for them. And now they say it was all waste.

Fourth, I don't like the idea that they (who make these laws) tell us how to live. Smokers know it's not healthy. We know fast food is not healthy. But we choose to smoke and eat fat. It's our body and our life.

And if governments really want people to stop smoking maybe they should stop giving so much money to tobacco farmers.
Ruaritania
11-01-2005, 13:58
Ed Byrne rocks

indeed he does... funny man! like tommy tiernan too tho :)
Decisive Action
11-01-2005, 15:54
It's just like how it is in California. People just politely find ways around it (by following the rules), others....just puff smoke in your face as you walk into a building.....but they're still outside!


Meh, I never had problems with smoking laws, but then again I never smoked. I did occasionally enjoy a nice pinch of skoal or a pouch of redman leaf though. For me smoking was never an issue because I never smoked, well I have smoked cigarillos before, and some cigars, but I think the place to do that is in a bar or lounge that is mainly for smoking, which is where I did it. So it was never really an issue.
Decisive Action
11-01-2005, 15:56
It depends. Some cigars smell better than cigs, some don't. Generally, if you can get cigars in a paper box from your local supermarket, you probably don't want them. Occasional exceptions: Backwoods and Swisher Sweets WITH the wood tips. However, keep in mind that you should not inhale cigar smoke (it's MUCH heavier than cigarette smoke).

Cigars in general do not have any chemical additives as there are in cigarettes.


The cigars I've smoked were typically 3-5 dollars for each cigar, cigarillos about 2 dollars each and they come in packs of 20.

Of course I didn't inhale on them, that will make you sick, I just liked to swish the smoke around in my mouth.
Kerlapa
11-01-2005, 15:56
in ireland, we cant smoke in the workplace. i dont smoke but i must say i miss it in the pubs and nightclubs. the smoking smell has being replaced by farts. damn smelly people, why i outta...... :headbang:
Markreich
11-01-2005, 16:04
The cigars I've smoked were typically 3-5 dollars for each cigar, cigarillos about 2 dollars each and they come in packs of 20.

Of course I didn't inhale on them, that will make you sick, I just liked to swish the smoke around in my mouth.

I only smoke about a box a year. I loved Montagues, but they are sadly out of production. Generally, I prefer a 42 gage or so, but not too long (unless I'm fishing!)
Decisive Action
11-01-2005, 16:11
I only smoke about a box a year. I loved Montagues, but they are sadly out of production. Generally, I prefer a 42 gage or so, but not too long (unless I'm fishing!)



I still think that overall, of all the tobacco products out there, one takes the cake.

Red Man Chewing (Leaf) tobacco.

http://www.rareads.com/scans1/27964.jpg

http://www.lilbrown.com/prodpics/redman.jpg


After that, Skoal, long cut, then perhaps one of the various "Plug" chew tobacco products commonly available in the midwest.
Markreich
11-01-2005, 17:41
I still think that overall, of all the tobacco products out there, one takes the cake.

Red Man Chewing (Leaf) tobacco.

http://www.rareads.com/scans1/27964.jpg

http://www.lilbrown.com/prodpics/redman.jpg


After that, Skoal, long cut, then perhaps one of the various "Plug" chew tobacco products commonly available in the midwest.

Ever since I saw Justin drink a cup of spit from 6 guys chewing for $50, I've never been able to look at the stuff. I'll grant that $50 in 1987 was a lot more than today, but...
Decisive Action
11-01-2005, 17:48
Ever since I saw Justin drink a cup of spit from 6 guys chewing for $50, I've never been able to look at the stuff. I'll grant that $50 in 1987 was a lot more than today, but...


Nothing tastes better than tobacco juice, particularly from Redman leaf. Although drinking it is not a good idea, not at all, and not especially from others, especially 6.


But as far as taste goes, I've never tasted anything that compared to leaf chewing tobacco. Not steak, not chocolate, not wine, not brandy, nothing.
Cabbage Land
11-01-2005, 17:49
I rarely ever see homeless people smoking, thoughts?
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 17:58
I rarely ever see homeless people smoking, thoughts?
I do. In fact it is a fairly common sight in Britain.
The Lightning Star
11-01-2005, 18:05
I do. In fact it is a fairly common sight in Britain.

Really?

Well, here in Panama, about 40% of the population is homeless, and I don't see alot of Hobo's smoking. They're too poor.

Besides, if they spend their money on tobacco, then how are they gonna aford their handguns for the nightly gun battles?
Siljhouettes
11-01-2005, 18:23
In my country smoking in workplaces, including all bars and restaurants was banned by the government since 29th March 2004. It's a popular measure and I support it. I hated being in a bar or restaurant and having smoke in my face all the time.

I don't think smoking should be banned though.
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 18:24
Really?

Well, here in Panama, about 40% of the population is homeless, and I don't see alot of Hobo's smoking. They're too poor.

Well, Britain is one of the most expensive countries in the world with regards to tobacco. Anyway, you can always beg for cigarettes.
Johnistan
11-01-2005, 18:28
Banning smoking in bars is the most retarded thing I have ever heard.
Kybernetia
11-01-2005, 18:39
I completly agree with this new Italian law.
A great law by the Berlusconi administration.
Smoking is an offense to non-smokers and should therefore be banned whereever non-smokers are offended.
Ice Hockey Players
11-01-2005, 19:00
What I heard is that here in many cities in the U.S., restaurants and bars got more business AFTER a smoking ban than before. Some pissed-off smokers who think it's their God-given right to blow smoke in other people's faces didn't like it, but more rational smokers decided it wasn't a half-bad idea.

In most countries, there are laws against what people can do on private property. Murder, assault, etc. are against the law no matter how private the land is. The bottom line is, those things cause harm to other people, just as smoking does. Therefore, the government has a place banning it in restaurants, bars, etc. especially considering that it often has popular support and it has potential to boost business.
Decisive Action
11-01-2005, 19:10
What I heard is that here in many cities in the U.S., restaurants and bars got more business AFTER a smoking ban than before. Some pissed-off smokers who think it's their God-given right to blow smoke in other people's faces didn't like it, but more rational smokers decided it wasn't a half-bad idea.

In most countries, there are laws against what people can do on private property. Murder, assault, etc. are against the law no matter how private the land is. The bottom line is, those things cause harm to other people, just as smoking does. Therefore, the government has a place banning it in restaurants, bars, etc. especially considering that it often has popular support and it has potential to boost business.



What if you're a bar where the main attraction is that you sell fine imported cigars for customers to smoke in the bar? A "cigar bar".


Governments have no business dictating to business owners how to operate their businesses in regards to tobacco policies.
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 23:43
I completly agree with this new Italian law.
A great law by the Berlusconi administration.
Smoking is an offense to non-smokers and should therefore be banned whereever non-smokers are offended.
Yeah. A smoking ban is such a great, well thought out concept. Hans Eichel is now missing about 1.1 billion in next years budget. And all they did was raise the price.
:D
They should change the smoking kills etc...warnings on the packs.
Wichtige Nachricht des Finanzministers: Nichtrauchen schadet den Rentenkassen und ihren Sozialen Systemen. :D
Conceptualists
11-01-2005, 23:51
Yeah. A smoking ban is such a great, well thought out concept. Hans Eichel is now missing about 1.1 billion in next years budget. And all they did was raise the price.
:D

But surely that means less people are smoking :p

They should change the smoking kills etc...warnings on the packs.
Wichtige Nachricht des Finanzministers: Nichtrauchen schadet den Rentenkassen und ihren Sozialen Systemen. :D

What is that in English?
Somthing about the Solar system?

Anyway, I don't think it is as good as our warning.

SMOKING CAUSES A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH.
Von Witzleben
11-01-2005, 23:59
What is that in English?
Somthing about the Solar system?

Anyway, I don't think it is as good as our warning.

SMOKING CAUSES A SLOW AND PAINFUL DEATH.
No. It's a joke I read last night on a German political forum. The state taxes tobbaco. And they just raised the prizes in Germany. And that resulted in a new billion Euro deficit in next years budget of our braindead secretary of finance. They made up new text lines to replace the smoking kills and the like ones.
Like: Non smoking can result in longlevity and a longer drain of the pensions funds.
Importand notice from the secretary of finance: Non smoking is a drain on the pension funds and social security systems.
The EU secretaries of finance: Smoking is a substantial part of the national annual budget.
Bottle
12-01-2005, 00:00
link to boring article (http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/01/10/italy-smoke-050110.html)

I see this as part of a global effort to slowly eliminate smoking and I agree with it. I know a lot of people who struggle to quit and then they finally do it when their doctor shows them how much it's killing them. And no one I know encourages me to smoke, more like the opposite -except for one manager I had who every day would come up with a new reason for me to start smoking as a joke- so it's sad to hear so many people are still starting and sucks to see people skipping meals to be able to afford them.

Also, I work in a 'no smoking' place and my co-workers light up (or roll weed) if no customer's are around, so obviously I don't expect everyone to agree or even follow this new ban though. Economise-wise I suppose there are some comparisons with smoking to the gambling industry so if anyone has thoughts on that it would be nice to hear. This post isn't as good as I'd like so am hoping don't get flamed too badly for stuff I left out. Discuss(?)
wow, how utterly disgusting. is there nobody left in the world who believes in personal responsibility and free choice?
Conceptualists
12-01-2005, 00:04
wow, how utterly disgusting. is there nobody left in the world who believes in personal responsibility and free choice?
They're called smokers :p
Markreich
12-01-2005, 01:19
What if you're a bar where the main attraction is that you sell fine imported cigars for customers to smoke in the bar? A "cigar bar".


Governments have no business dictating to business owners how to operate their businesses in regards to tobacco policies.

Here in Connecticut, you can still have a smoking bar, but it must be a club. So if you pay a membership fee, it's okay. I know one bar that's charging $1/year.
Cabbage Land
12-01-2005, 01:32
wow, how utterly disgusting. is there nobody left in the world who believes in personal responsibility and free choice?Okay, so people wanted restrictions because they didn't want smokers to have personal responsibility, thanks for clearing that up. =/
New Genoa
12-01-2005, 01:54
The Reversal of Freedoms Act of 2005
The Parthians
12-01-2005, 01:57
link to boring article (http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/01/10/italy-smoke-050110.html)

I see this as part of a global effort to slowly eliminate smoking and I agree with it. I know a lot of people who struggle to quit and then they finally do it when their doctor shows them how much it's killing them. And no one I know encourages me to smoke, more like the opposite -except for one manager I had who every day would come up with a new reason for me to start smoking as a joke- so it's sad to hear so many people are still starting and sucks to see people skipping meals to be able to afford them.

Also, I work in a 'no smoking' place and my co-workers light up (or roll weed) if no customer's are around, so obviously I don't expect everyone to agree or even follow this new ban though. Economise-wise I suppose there are some comparisons with smoking to the gambling industry so if anyone has thoughts on that it would be nice to hear. This post isn't as good as I'd like so am hoping don't get flamed too badly for stuff I left out. Discuss(?)

I smoke cigars on occasion. Please tell me why in God's name you want to ban smoking?
Cabbage Land
12-01-2005, 02:02
Because of all my friends, family, and co-workers who are addicted to it and get nothing positive in return.
edit: and I'm borderline, I'm new and have read some pretty good topics in these forums so posted this to hear opinions of others.
Markreich
12-01-2005, 02:05
Because of all my friends, family, and co-workers who are addicted to it and get nothing positive in return.

As opposed to television, video games, and posting here?
Cabbage Land
12-01-2005, 02:10
Time killers/entertainment/'socialising'.
Markreich
12-01-2005, 02:13
Time killers/entertainment/'socialising'.

So: nothing positive in return then. :D
The Parthians
13-01-2005, 04:53
Because of all my friends, family, and co-workers who are addicted to it and get nothing positive in return.
edit: and I'm borderline, I'm new and have read some pretty good topics in these forums so posted this to hear opinions of others.

How about, how i choose to kill myself is none of your concern. None of us are immortal and I think anti-smoking people need to realize this.
Tamarket
20-01-2005, 11:18
How about, how i choose to kill myself is none of your concern. None of us are immortal and I think anti-smoking people need to realize this.

No, YOU smokers realise THIS - you do NOT have the right to expel cigarette smoke (or any other tobacco smoke) that causes cancer, shortness of breath, asthma, etc. to people nearby, especially if they are non-smokers.

In my view, it should be legal to kill anyone who smokes around others, indoors or outdoors.
Ooger
20-01-2005, 12:44
I believe smoking should be banned also in the vicinity of building entrance and exits...I'm a non-smoker and everytime I get out or enter any buildings on campus I get smoke blown in my face or I have to pass through a cloud of smoke.

Smoking in retaurants or any eating establishment should also be banned! Okay...I'm just jealous because on nice days and I want to eat on the patio, it's filled with people smoking. :mad:
Vonners
20-01-2005, 12:52
No, YOU smokers realise THIS - you do NOT have the right to expel cigarette smoke (or any other tobacco smoke) that causes cancer, shortness of breath, asthma, etc. to people nearby, especially if they are non-smokers.

In my view, it should be legal to kill anyone who smokes around others, indoors or outdoors.

Do you drive? Do you fly? Do you use electricity? Do you use plastic? Do you use any kind of item that causes pollution?

You do?

Good...now shoot yourself.
Sskiss
20-01-2005, 12:54
No, YOU smokers realise THIS - you do NOT have the right to expel cigarette smoke (or any other tobacco smoke) that causes cancer, shortness of breath, asthma, etc. to people nearby, especially if they are non-smokers.

In my view, it should be legal to kill anyone who smokes around others, indoors or outdoors.

I utterly agree, and I'll add this! Where I come from those who pick up the habit are considered weaklings due to the fact that their addiction weakens them physically and there own lack of self will to quite. These are the clear sighns of a weakling!

I do not know why people (the coporate garbage) who sell this filth are allowed to sell it in the first place. They should be lined up and gunned down for crimes against humanity - like the filth that they are! It's a toxin, a poison and it's useless serving no other purpose as to lower the quality of life for other people and causing untold suffering.

A true rebel does not feed the merchants of death!
In_Xanadu
20-01-2005, 13:03
I normally don't like forcing things upon people, but boy am I sick and tired of "passive smoking", since I gave up smoking myself !? I think I'll move to Italy :-p
Tamarket
21-01-2005, 16:09
Do you drive? Do you fly? Do you use electricity? Do you use plastic? Do you use any kind of item that causes pollution?

You do?

Good...now shoot yourself.

The things you mentioned are much more necessary to the functioning of society than smoking is.

And smoking is more harmful to human health by several orders of magnitude.

Now suicide bomb Phillip Norris.
Pencil Suckers
21-01-2005, 16:18
Don't care if this has already been pointed out. Couldn't be bothered reading all that. New Zealand has a new 'Smoking Ban' aswell. You can't smoke in bars, clubs, cafes etc. Any public indoor venue=banned.
Vonners
21-01-2005, 16:22
The things you mentioned are much more necessary to the functioning of society than smoking is.

And smoking is more harmful to human health by several orders of magnitude.

Now suicide bomb Phillip Norris.

oh yeah....flying half way across the planet for a holiday is sooooo necessary....driving half a mile to pick up your supersized Big Mac and fries is sooooo necessary.....

as for harm of several orders of magnitude....well fact is that it is my choice if I want to take that risk. Not yours. You however want to tell me how to live my life. Why?

And don't give me the 'secondary smoking' crap...you don't like that there are smokers in a pub .... you can excerise YOUR choice and not go in.

But since that means respecting the rights of others you and your ilk spin the issue so that smokers are always in the wrong.

In another life you'd be wearing jackboots.
Cabbage Land
21-01-2005, 16:53
I'm not overly concerned with the health aspects when saying I'm for the ban, if half the population was carrying around smelly diapers everywhere in public it's their right but I'd probably want to kill them.
Mekonia
21-01-2005, 18:09
I think a smoking ban is great! It started in New York, moved to all of the Republic of Ireland. And it works fine. Pub Owners will disagree, but it means people smoke less on a nite in the pub, as you have to go outside to smoke in the cold. And you'll only do it when you really have to. So the quicker it is introduced world wide the better!!!
John Browning
21-01-2005, 18:43
I remember a friend I used to work with who moved to New York in the late 1980s. Somehow, he became involved in smuggling cigarettes to Canada.

He's a multimillionaire now, and lives in Florida. He retired.

I spoke to him via email a while back, and he said that ridiculous laws are the only real way that governments generate jobs and increase productivity. He said he would never have become rich without stupid laws.

So he said we shouldn't do anything to fight them - in fact, we should all do what we can to encourage the implementation of more stupid laws.
Conceptualists
21-01-2005, 19:21
I think a smoking ban is great! It started in New York, moved to all of the Republic of Ireland. And it works fine. Pub Owners will disagree, but it means people smoke less on a nite in the pub, as you have to go outside to smoke in the cold. And you'll only do it when you really have to. So the quicker it is introduced world wide the better!!!
NYC was the first place to think of a smoking ban?

:confused:
Conceptualists
21-01-2005, 19:31
I utterly agree, and I'll add this! Where I come from those who pick up the habit are considered weaklings due to the fact that their addiction weakens them physically and there own lack of self will to quite. These are the clear sighns of a weakling!

Oh no, people around me think I'm a weakling for ever smoking. :rolleyes: Obviously the only reason I smoked in the first place was that I gave into peer pressure, and currently derive no pleasure from it at all :rolleyes:


Anyway, to assume that people are weaklings because they smoke is rediculous, since it makes a number of assumptions.
1. That all smokers don't really want to smoke and only contintue because they are addicted
2. Smokers only started because they were too weak willed and gave into peer pressure
3. All smokers cannot run a metre without pulling over and wheezing, and struggle to even carry the change needed to buy a packet of ciggarettes.


Now just about everyone I know thought this too (although perhaps not in such a combative way), yet I still smoked. You'd think that me being such a weak willed weakling I would instantly fold and conform to peer pressure (like an inverse of when I started smoking) :rolleyes:
John Browning
21-01-2005, 19:35
What I like about Virginia is that a restaurant has the choice of whether or not to allow smoking. So they can tell me not to smoke.

But I am allowed to wear a gun into a restaurant, and since July 2004, there's nothing they can do about it.
Conceptualists
21-01-2005, 19:41
The things you mentioned are much more necessary to the functioning of society than smoking is.


Perhaps not. Considering the amount of tax on tobbaco in western countries is so high that the governments have learned to rely on these products to function. Not to mention that smokers die younger thereby relieving the state of paying expensive pensions to smokers. Smokers are possibly the most highly taxed citizens in any western nation, yet get screwed at any opportunity by self righteous maggots who think they are superior simply due to the fact they do not smoke.

So maybe plastic etc. leads to better quality of life, but the fact that in many places tobacco duty helps the government to a serious degree, Tobacco tax goes to funding many public services from the NHS in Britain to the pension fund in Germany to Public Schools in America.

Get off your high horse and give us a fucking medal, we're patriots supporting our country and allowing it to continue working. Asking nothing back in return and dieing early to further benefit the state.
Conceptualists
21-01-2005, 19:44
What I like about Virginia is that a restaurant has the choice of whether or not to allow smoking. So they can tell me not to smoke.

I'm fine with that, for the same reason I am fine with going to other people's houses and them telling me I cannot smoke in the front room.

But I am allowed to wear a gun into a restaurant, and since July 2004, there's nothing they can do about it.

Whilst I don't object to guns (unless you hold sideon, like a 'gangsta') I think the resturant owner should be allowed to decide the policy on allowing firearms in (although I can see reason for arguement forcing the situation [either way])
The Parthians
29-01-2005, 03:38
No, YOU smokers realise THIS - you do NOT have the right to expel cigarette smoke (or any other tobacco smoke) that causes cancer, shortness of breath, asthma, etc. to people nearby, especially if they are non-smokers.

In my view, it should be legal to kill anyone who smokes around others, indoors or outdoors.

If you can drive a car, I can expel smoke.