Smoking Ban

[Minniespal]

We've had the smoking ban here in Scotland for over a year now.

I think it is a fantastic thing No more coming home smelling of cigarettes. One thing I don't like though, is seeing all of the smokers congregating outside. Would be nice if they had somewhere to go to smoke rather than outside the building.

 

[wideeyes]

Well from a smokers point of view I have mixed reviews.

Secondly, I do not smoke around other peoples children or pg women. I certainly would not walk up to a chair and light up when there is a child there.

Its a shame not all smokers can have the same considerations , unfortunately in society they are selfish people that just don't care so we need some restrictions.

They will also be people who will ignore the rules.
When I was pregnant I was sat out side hospital on a bench and some one starts smoking next to me, I had a TPN drip so was obviously ill as well as pregnant( the benches are often used by patents getting some fresh air) the whole of the hospital is none smoking including outside, there is no designated smoking areas which I do feel they should be then people can have somewhere to smoke away from people. The nurses sneak to there cars to smoke and are scared they will get caught.

oh and I was not calling all smokers inconsiderate, I know they are also smokers who move away from people when they smoke.

 

[Netty]

I'm an ex-smoker myself and I can't wait for the ban to come. One of my favourite resaurants have enforced the no smoking rule already and it's great to be able to eat without a cloud of smoke hovering everywhere.

and not only that.. no more passive smoking

 

[Donaldduck66]

and not only that.. no more passive smoking

Here Here!

 

[eyoreaud]

I'm an x-smoker myself, stopped 3 and a half months ago!
This is the 3rd time i have stopped and i hope i manage this time!

I'm just so glad that theres been a smoking ban in Scotland for a while as this made stopping (and keeping off the ciggies ) much easier.

My only complaint is that our streets are getting very dirty, there have been some outside ashtrays provided but there are not enough of them and as a result when you go out shopping or for a walk there are ciggie butts EVERYWHERE.

I do think that there should be places for smokers to go and puff if they wish to, someplace away from non smokers and with high powered fans to take the smoke away and plenty of ashtrays as well.

Audrey

 

[MrsJobba1]

I cant wait for the smoking ban to take effect!

Roll on July 1st.

It will be great to go out and not come back with a headache and stinking of smoke.

 

[T16GEM]

I think it's a great idea and can't wait for it to come in to action!
I think it will be lovely to go out and not come home smelling of smoke!

 

[angel659]

We've had the smoking ban here in Scotland for over a year now.

I think it is a fantastic thing No more coming home smelling of cigarettes. One thing I don't like though, is seeing all of the smokers congregating outside. Would be nice if they had somewhere to go to smoke rather than outside the building.

I agree when we were in NYC. Even though I smoke myself I hated walking past bars you would walk into a cloud of smoke and if you wanted to walk into a pub/resturant again you would be walking through a cloud of smoke even before getting into the bar.

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
I'm afraid I take a different view to the majority. I get so angry when hardly a day goes by where someone isn't trying to ban something. What ever happened to people making their own minds up instead of the Government doing it for us. If smoking in pubs is so bad and upsets so many people why don't publicans set up non smoking pubs so those offended by it can go there and those who are not can still enjoy their night out at a smoking allowed pub. I know there are health implications but hey as adults can't we decide for ourselves? And just in case your wondering no I don't smoke and I never have.

Mick.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I understand where you're coming from, and I'm sure none of us want our whole lives to be dictated by the government, but I do welcome this ban myself. The problem is if there isn't a non-smoking pub in the area, and you don't want to be around smoke, you have to either take your chances with the non-smoking area (which really are a joke sometimes) or not go to the pub. I'm very bad with smoke and am liable to hyperventilate if it's too bad, but I still like to go to the pub with my friends. There is a non-smoking pub in town now, but it's a long trek so we can't go there as often as we might like.

What I'm trying to say (in my very garbled and incomprehensive fashion) is that yes, smoking is a personal choice, but it's a choice that affects more people than just you (not YOU in particular, just a general, hypothetical you). Unfortunately, not everyone is as considerate about their smoking as some of the above posters, so I'm glad that something is being done to attempt to find a situation that suits more people. I do like the idea that someone came up with earlier of having a few designated smoking pubs, that might work.



PS Please nobody feel that I'm attacking them or their lifestyle / opinions / choices. I think everyone's entitled to an opinion, and everyone's opinion is of equal value. Just thought I'd get that in, in case someone misunderstood me.

 

[angel659]

When I was pregnant I was sat out side hospital on a bench and some one starts smoking next to me, I had a TPN drip so was obviously ill as well as pregnant( the benches are often used by patents getting some fresh air) the whole of the hospital is none smoking including outside, there is no designated smoking areas which I do feel they should be then people can have somewhere to smoke away from people. The nurses sneak to there cars to smoke and are scared they will get caught.
QUOTE]

This made me laugh

I am A Aux Nurse. My hospital is non smoking. However nurses are allowed to smoke in thier cars. Union were involved and apparently it can cause distress for people who have smoked for years and are unable to give up.

The NHS do not want to contradict themselves by saying smoking is bad for you, but we will let you smoke in our grounds. You can see where this would be perceived as contradiction. Also the grounds were getting covered in smoking butts and people would have to clean it up. Only problem I have found is people are smoking outside main entrance (relatives/patients) we can not stop them. Would you want to stop a grieving relative. I certainly wouldnt. I agree there should be a smoking area, but the NHS and government are trying not to show that they agree with it.

Imagine this scenario ok. With the attitude of a smoker of say 10 years + so we are looking at a smoking addict

After 3-4 long hours of trying to save a patients life. It has been quite traumatic (especially some of the bleeds I have seen) and it has really upset you, especially if they were only 18 and the last words were that they didnt want to die before you had to ventilate them and your re-assuring them and you are unable to save thier life before they even get off the ward to theatre or ICU. This will shaken you up. Many people reflect in many different ways and I certainly have needed a ciggarette after an awful event like this. This does happen in reality, so the union made sure that smokers are able to relieve any stress or upset in thier car.

I am not having a go at you, but just giving another side of it. It sounded funny, but also made nurses look devious. I know you wernt meaning anything by it. Just thought if others read it they may of took it the wrong way.

 

[wideeyes]

I do understand what you are saying and I agree.

It was the nurses who told me that they go to the car to smoke and they felt guilty doing it, like they were going to get caught doing something wrong, a bit like smoking behind the bike sheds at school, they made such a big deal about when the hospital brought in the non smoking policy, it was in the local paper! (obviously the nurses should have every right to smoke in there own car)

 

[angel659]

Yeah sounds about right. When it first came in we all felt like school kids and we even had a look out to make sure we didnt caught. Now it has been changed that we are allowed to smoke in our cars as long as we are out of the way i.e the public dont see. I only have one at work if any at all. Walking back to your car is just a pain in the end. The ban I think has personally helped me, by me cutting down. Fingers crossed I will be an ex smoker. With my diet as well I dont think I can give up both chocolate and ciggarettes

Anyway back on topic are people welcoming the ban!

 

[aaronandterri]

i cant wait

And i dont think there is such a thing as a cobsiderate smoker, not rearly.

What about our choice not to smoke or to be around it

If pubs still have a smoking area, smoke carries and we shouldnt have to be round it, my old neighbour used to stink of ciggs, and if he was in our house it was disgusting, and if he had a cigg before getting in our car it then made the whole car stink for days, great guy but it put us all off him.

And whats it with smokers who think they can litter there butts throwing them in the street, y is this acceptable its still rubbish that has to be cleared up?

I hate just walking down the street behind domeone whos smoking, they choose to smoke not me !


Also
when my DD was 4 months old i was in lakeside on a bench feeding her (she was a preemie 11 wks early and was tiny) and this bloke sat next to me and lit up, i said to him excuse me cant you see i have a tiny baby here im feeding, he just shrugged and i was the one to move/


my eyes get so sore in pubs etc from the smoke, that i dont go so much anymore.....roll on july !

 

[floridalol]

And i dont think there is such a thing as a cobsiderate smoker, not rearly.

To be fair, us non-smokers only see selfish arrogant smokers because the considerate ones will be hidden out of sight.

 

[angel659]

And i dont think there is such a thing as a cobsiderate smoker, not rearly.

Well thats narrow minded isnt it? Your telling me there is no considerate smoker well I think you need to open your mind a little. Understand that we all live in a free country and I for one ensure who is around me at the time when I smoke. Pubs and smoke goes together I am afraid. This argument will always be around. Having a smoking area does not cause harm to those non smokers in my opinion. I can see why it is banned and I agree with it, only because of the workers health no one elses! So I cant see why this statement is true. As I said narrow minded!

One other thing I dont see anyone admitted into casualty with a cut up face or who has been stabbed due to someone smoking. I have seen plenty of drunken louts in the hospital. Smoking maybe passive (talking short term i.e night out), but drinking is far worse and sometimes inconsiderate if you get a knife in your gut just because you knocked thier drink Drinking is not classed as socially unacceptable, because people do not breath or smell of it

And whats it with smokers who think they can litter there butts throwing them in the street, y is this acceptable its still rubbish that has to be cleared up?

I hate just walking down the street behind domeone whos smoking, they choose to smoke not me !

Again not everyone throws thier thier butts on the floor. I again agree that this is littering the country and I do not stubb mine out on the floor. How many people have you seen just spit out thier chewing gum and you or someone else stamps in it? Chewing gum under the table and it gets on your trousers. There are quite a few people in this country who litter our floors, but there are a majority who do not. We are supposed to live in a country of choices. If people want to smoke they can and people who dont.. dont. You should not preach that those who smoke are wrong and just because they smoke doesnt mean you should breath in thier smoke. This is silly your in a open area. People have rights.

my eyes get so sore in pubs etc from the smoke, that i dont go so much anymore.....roll on july !

Yep I can see this and sometimes it hurts mine. A decent pub would have a extractor fan fitted to try and take the smoke away.

Also
when my DD was 4 months old i was in lakeside on a bench feeding her (she was a preemie 11 wks early and was tiny) and this bloke sat next to me and lit up, i said to him excuse me cant you see i have a tiny baby here im feeding, he just shrugged and i was the one to move/

A minority of people have no common sense and courtesy. You can not steretype all smokers. It just shows you what a rude arrogant man you had to encounter. I always find a bench with no one around just me so I can have a ciggarette, which I am entitled to. I do agree that there are people who do not care, but not everyone. I take all these comments as an insult to me and felt that these needed answering.

 

[angel659]

To be fair, us non-smokers only see selfish arrogant smokers because the considerate ones will be hidden out of sight.

I agree that one would be me. Hiding away.

Just took me an essay to say the same thing as you in three lines.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Pubs should be allowed to open as "smoking pubs" so that everyone employeees and customers know what they are getting before applying for a job or buying a drink. We worry about cigerette smoke but don't worry about the other polutants such as car exhaust fumes, which if you look at pushchairs is more dangerous as the childs head is right next to the exhaust pipe with many pushchairs.

Oh by the way I don't smoke, never have done.

 

[minniemarie]

I used to be a "social smoker" as in I liked a ciggy with a glass of wine, now that the ban is in place here in Scotland it is not "social" to do so, so I do without. Unless I have friends over (who also smoke) that is.

I work in a hospital which cares for patients with a variety of mental health issues, at first it seemed to go well with the majority complying (staff inc) now some time on it has become a problem in enforcing the ban amongst the patients, who really don't understand and can get quite abusive when asked to move outside let alone standing 30ft away from the building.