This

Just because someone occasionally does something doesn't mean they will keep doing it around those that don't.

I don't smoke when I'm at my gfs or someone is in my car, if I want to smoke at home I go outside (because I live with non smokers)

I don't expect my gf to start smoking when we go out for a drink, and she doesn't expect me to stop*



*well, she would like me to.... but I have my reasons for not quitting at the minute

Firstly, can we clear up what we both mean by "public space" ? Personally I do not consider a pubs, restaurants, shops of any place of business, a "public space". They are all privately owned spaces to which Mr & Mrs Average are welcomed, so long as they abide by the rules imposed by the owners of said establishments. Some shops have a "no hats" policy and most banks have a "no motorbike helmets" policy. Those policies haven't become law, and smoking should have been treated in the same way.... ie. "You're welcome, so long as you know, and appreciate, we allow / don't allow (delete as appropriate) smoking"

As is their right. They are offering a service and shouldn't feel obliged (or be forced by law) to curtail their profits to appease the want of non-smokers. Again, a restauranter chooses to only use GM food, where another may only offer organic; both demographics are catered for and people will vote with their feet. It works.

I'm not sure why you immediately think some places wouldn't choose to be non-smoking. I imagine many places would so they could be "that nice, smoke free restaurant down the road" - and that there would lie their fortune, with "the majority" queuing at their door. I picture(d) it would be better in the long run for all of us (the public) as a trade war between non-smoking and smoking establishments would ensue - with each catering for their diehard clientele whilst competing to tempt away the competition's with better services.

...and regarding my response to Lev,
Agreed. Again I'm not stupid. But I signed a late night hours waiver (amongst others) when I worked in premises licensed to serve alcohol past midnight, and would have happily done so had there been one for "I acknowledge and respect the right of my employer to permit smoking on their premises during my work hours" - had I had issues with such a waiver, I'd have not signed it, collected by bag, and left the job. And not expected a penny of severance or compensation because of it. Like I've already said, there are plenty of other jobs.

Smoking is a legal activity btw peeps.

Also, snowy's right. I really can't be arsed to argue about it on an iPhone keypad, so whatever snowy says.

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I did bar work in the past. It was a great way of socialising and getting paid at the same time. The smoke made it tough on the throat. I cannot do that now because of the amnesia. I cannot do mental arithmetic any longer.


I was being sarcastic. Though I still think that a smoking ban is fine. Mainly because of the impact on non smoking staff.

I kind of got that feeling, but it was a good Devil's Advocate question to answer in my efforts to illustrate my thinking. Sorry.

I'm not going to argue my point any longer.

I'm glad the smoking ban is in effect, the majority will benefit from cleaner air and longer lives. However people should be permitted to smoke, although without putting others at risk. Also if it appeared I was implying you are stupid, that was not my intention.

Pity.

Never mind.

I really like a spliff.

Is it pathetic that I sometimes choose to party in a private house with like minded friends because it's banned in public places?

Cannibalise legalists, man!

I'm sorry but the perceived 'enjoyment' from smoking comes purely from the satisfying of the addiction. This isnt my opinion btw, it has come from every single person I know who has successfully kicked the habit.

I don't particularly buy into that. I'm an occasional smoker, perhaps one night ever month or two, and I get great pleasure from smoking my pipe. I don't crave it, I might fancy a smoke as one might fancy a pickled egg when they order chips...For me it is a luxury, like the tot of rum I might have from time to time...

I think that's an illogical position. Most of the things people 'enjoy' can be traced back to a biochemical process within the human body. That's just because our sensations are largely governed by the biological processes we are undergoing at the time. Nice bit of cake? That's mostly reinforced sugar rush. Downhill skiing or snowboarding (or a goal being scored or a wicket being taken)? Adrenaline. Good session at the gym? That's mainly through getting a big dopamine hit.

If you don't like smoking and smokers there are plenty of valid arguments. But the fact people enjoy smoking mainly as a result of an internal biochemical process isn't one of them, because that's true of pretty near everything people enjoy, healthy or not.

Jon

Only because the government makes a shed load of cash out of it. They've banned everything else that people seem to enjoy.

Okay - I'll rise to this one. FYI I kicked several habits in 2000/2001 - drink, cigarettes and other naughty things...

IME there are three very different kinds of enjoyment associated with addictive substances. There's the "relief" enjoyment that comes from the soothing of a craving - e.g. the emergency cigarette, chocolate, coffee, spliff etc.. Then there's the unthinking, "habitual" enjoyment that comes from satisfying a routine - e.g. eating breakfast with a coffee, tea, cigarette, spliff etc. or perhaps social smoking in a pub - where the enjoyment comes from doing what you always just do.

But there exists a third, often unmentioned, kind of enjoyment that is quite separate from the other two. For example, my father-in-law lives in Saxony and in his expansive back garden he has a porch swing (see picture below for example) that I love to sit on during long, hot, lazy summer days. At these times I sometimes sit with my wife whilst enjoying the lovely mountain air, the sounds of birds singing, a cool Köstritzer and a cigarette. I might only smoke one in a day and only 3 or 4 in a holiday and there are no cravings. It's not the satisfaction of a craving - it's just enjoyable in a very gemütlichkeit kind of way.



Hope this helps,