Smoking outside pubs

[twiss]

Just seen this article this morning and its made me a bit angry!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23515135

They are sounding like they are surprised that people go outside to smoke, now they can't smoke indoors, and anti-smoking protesters are trying to say that either people shouldn't be allowed to smoke in pub gardens, or that the gardens should be separated!

I just think that if they banned smoking in pub gardens, it would be driving the final nail into the British pub industry's coffin! I don't know about anyone else, but since the smoking ban came in, I go to the pub probably 90% less than I did before! There's no point when I can buy the same beer for cheaper, then drink and smoke in my living room!

It mostly annoys me that people are complaining about this, even though for 80% of the year non-smokers are inside the damn pubs anyway!

[suzukisteve]

its is stupid really. some friends owned a pub in Somerset and since the smoking ban and increased prices of booze they had to close down!

people have the right to smoke outside so what's the difference if they are outside a pub?!

I use an electronic one personally but thats just my preference. this is a step to far really

[turbo-tom]

I personally say coming from a family of non smokers point of view. That having to smoke outside in a pub/venue/public place was a good idea in my opinion. But raising the ban so you cant smoke in pub gardens is crazy! Think of all the social side of it and possibly the money the pubs will loose in the summer. At the end of the day if people smoke they smoke where ever they want too. Also if you smoke in a place or 10meters done the road it still goes up in the air!

Crazy people

[Karis]

I think it is stupid, but I hate it when your sat outside having a nice pint and someone is blowing smoke in your face, think its gross. But it will be bad for pubs. Buuuut I think if people want to go to the pub then they won't be that bothered....as having a drink is social, if you are a non smoker there's nothing worse than having to walk through smoke or have it blowing in your face.

[ektoz]

i been a smoker for 15 years, i quit smoking for the last 2 years so i know from both sides,
these laws are the same in Cyprus also, best thing is to have a smokers pub so every on can
smoke inside, sometimes law is stupit.

[twiss]

That's what I think they should have done in the first place, ban all smoking in pubs that serve food, then non-food pubs should be down to the landlord, but make it a requirement so the pub has to clearly display that it is a smoking pub.

That way, if non-smokers don't want to go in a smoky pub, they can go to a different one.

One of the pubs in the village I used to live in didn't serve food at any point. Its the main pub for the "old boys" with their pipes and ales, you know the type! You don't often see youngsters in there!
Anyway, they went bankrupt within a year of the smoking bad taking effect as the regulars all left!!!

Karis, I can understand that its not nice having smoke blown in your face when you don't smoke, but I think thats more down to the people smoking rather than the fact that they are smoking.
Personally, I try to make an effort not to stand next to people that I know don't smoke, and definitely try not to blow it in people's faces!

I think its a bit of an overreaction by the anti smoker writing in the article. Most pub gardens that I've been in, when people are smoking in them, don't really get that smoky, not like inside would anyway. The article anti smoker makes it sounds like a dense fog of ciggy smoke lingers permanently over the garden!!!

[twiss]

Non-smokers -
"Dirty horrible smokers! Go outside and smoke!"

Smokers -
"We're not happy about it but we will anyway"

Non-smokers -
"What is this? All the smokers are outside?!?!!"

I'm just waiting for the government to actually try banning smoking in your own car

[andyrew]

Non-smokers -
"Dirty horrible smokers! Go outside and smoke!"

Smokers -
"We're not happy about it but we will anyway"

Non-smokers -
"What is this? All the smokers are outside?!?!!"

I'm just waiting for the government to actually try banning smoking in your own car

I believe smoking whilst driving is actually against the law. Same as eating whilst driving.
Its a distraction same as using a mobile or sat nav.

Does anyone remember the article about lady being pursued by 3 patrol cars and a police helicopter
Because she was spotted eating an apple whilst driving?

[twiss]

No smoking or eating while driving isn't actually illegal (yet), but if you have an accident while smoking or eating they can use that as grounds to do you for dangerous driving, or driving without due care and attention

Rule 148: Safe driving and riding needs concentration

Avoid distractions when driving or riding such as:
loud music (this may mask other sounds)
trying to read maps
inserting a cassette or CD or tuning a radio
arguing with your passengers or other road users
eating and drinking
smoking

You MUST NOT smoke in public transport vehicles or in vehicles used for work purposes in certain prescribed circumstances. Separate regulations apply to England, Wales and Scotland.

and... what the AA say about it

The Highway Code doesn't make it a specific offence to smoke while driving, any more than it is a specific offence to change a cassette, read a map or eat.

However, if any of these behaviours are coupled with bad driving, or lead to an accident, a charge of careless driving, or not being in a position to control the vehicle becomes a distinct possibility.

These behaviours can also be used to show dangerous driving, an offence which could lead to imprisonment, particularly if the dangerous driving causes a death.

[dan_2k_uk]

The biggest problem since the ban is every club now stinks of farts, BO, and most bodily fluids!