Cough Cough, Splutter Choke, Gruuugh Bleah!

by Englishman 16 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Englishman

  Amazing,

  I agree that ex-smokers that are "holier than thou" are a pain in the bum. I also agree that there is very little risk from passive smoking, my objection is s based solely on the smell and I get p****d off with my eyes constantly watering. As for you having the odd ciggy, c'mon, a part-time smoker - you are a smoker or not!

  Kent, Jan H and Abaddon I disagree! Here's why:

  Smoking, IMHO, appeals especially to persons who are addictive by nature. Hey, I'm slightly addictive, but I know that. If I look around my local, I would estimate that about 80% of the regulars are smokers. That's way, way over the National average.

  Now you ask an average smoker about his habit and this is what you get:

  "They haven't proved it's bad for you." "My Grandad smoked all his life and died at 104." "I don't inhale". I smoke cigars, they're not so bad." " I only smoke tipped cigarettes". "I only smoke occasionally". The fact remains that 60% of smokers will get cancer.

  Lots of rationalisation and justification! Oh yeah, Kent, in chat you said that you would like to quit!

  I reckon smoking will be verboten in most British pubs within the next 5 years, legislation is on the cards at the moment purely for the benefit of the bar staff.

  Englishman.

  Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....
• 

  Abaddon

  "I would estimate that about 80% of the regulars are smokers... I reckon smoking will be verboten in most British pubs within the next 5 years"

  Which is why it sucks.

  I mean the ONLY reason that smoking HAS been banned in the US even in bars etc, is because of the people who work there and the threat of litigation.

  I do think the rationalisations you give for smokers are bunk in younger people. Like most drugs, people do it 'cause they like it.

  Unfortunately, the 'like' with tobacco is buggered up by nicotine addiction.

  I am giving up at the moment, but am hampered by the fact I'm doing it 'cause my girlfriend is giving up, needs to as she's a classical singer, and I'm helping.

  It's been okay; I normally only smoke in bars or pubs. If I smoked it was at home as a joint with hash or grass. I did this often enough to make me think I was addicited to pot and not to tobacco!

  I now know I like pot LOTS, but am not addicted, but did have a minor dependancy on tobacco. Funny eh?

  I miss smoking joints; bongs are nice, but I like spliffs. Whether that's a physical thing, as in the ceremony and process, or tobacco crazing, I don't know.

  But I am in week three or four and have had tobacco maybe once or twice a week in that period instead of everyday. And now I have run out of tobacco, so...

  Keep on rocking in the free world...
• 

  siegswife

  I'd like to add a thought to this subject. I don't know how it is there in England, but here in PA, USA, smokers carry a rather large tax burden. So...why should people who pay more taxes than the non smoker have LESS rights? If everyone stopped smoking then the non smokers would be bitching because THEIR tax burden goes up in some other area. I don't think that any government is going to SPEND less just because they lose a tax base. They'll just pass it on in some other way.
• 

  Skimmer

  I say let the market forces decide the issue, not an over-controlling government.

  Let the owners and management decide if tobacco should be allowed in establishments. Have each pub and restaurant have a posting by the entrance that tells of the tobacco permission status, and then let the paying customer decide.
• 

  Englishman

  Siegswife,

  Good point. A packet of 20 costs about £4.20 here, whats that about $7.00? About 80% of that is VAT.

  Englishman.

  Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....
• 

  OUTLAW

  ENGLISHMAN, I don`t like sitting with a bunch of cigarette smokers,it totaly clogs up my sinices.On the other hand I dont mind an occasional good cigar...OUTLAW
• 

  nelly136

  If a landlord wants to make their pub non smoking that is their choice, if I choose to drink in the pub down the road that allows it thats my choice,
  if pubs totally ban smoking because theyre so concerned for peoples health then perhaps they should think about imposing alcohol bans on every car driver that turns up for a bevvy as well
  nelly