It's like being bought a present your not allowed to open - ridiculous (Should smoking be banned in public places?)

Member Name: gothicchucky69

Product:	Should smoking be banned in public places?
Date:	29/05/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I save money at the pub!

Disadvantages: I don't have much freedom.

I am a smoker have been for 15yrs, not proud of the fact but if you don't smoke you wouldn't realise how hard it is to quit.

I agree that you shouldn't be able to smoke in restaurants as I myself don't like smoke blowing in my face when I eat. I agree that it should be banned from enclosed areas like pubs where both smokers and non-smokers are socialising, etc. The one thing I don't really understand is why a completely separate smoking area with ventilation is a problem. If it is soley for the use of smokers then what is the problem?

I mean lets face it the government don't really want us all to quit. Where would they find the money that we pay in tax on the cigarettes? Wouldn't the non-smokers end up making up for that as well?

To go to extreme lengths to ban smoking in public altogether is just ridiculous. With all the rubbish that cars, lorries, chimneys, etc. pump out are us smokers really making that much difference?

OK the smell isn't pleasant and the smoke stings your eyes but in the fresh air that is not likely to happen. Plus I hate the smoke from barbecues or that sulphur smell from the steel works, etc. but that seems to be OK.

Is this not taking are freedom away slightly? Alcohol abuse probably takes more lives and causes more violence in the home and on the streets so why are the smokers being picked on. Don't get me wrong I'm certainly not glorifying smoking as it is a bad habbit that costs a fortune and damages your health, but so is obesity and drug additictions.

I just think there is far worse problems out there that need tackling before you get to the smokers. All the money they have put into campaigning, etc. could this not be better spent?

I live in rented accommodation so obviously I can't smoke indoors and this doesn't bother me I quite like the fact the house doesn't smell like an ashtray but if they ban smoking in public areas I will have to go onto the road as there is several people living in that area I assume the courtyard area will be classed as public.

Then there is the litter issue. At work where the smoking area is we have more cigarette ends on the floor than we ever had when we had a separate smoking canteen. The site looks scruffy, it's encourage people to eat outside whille having breaks so then there is food wrappers, etc. scattered about which then encourages pest activity. I also hate driving up to a business or shop etc. where all the staff are stood on the street smoking it just doesn't look that professional.

I am having a bit of a rant but it's something that effects me personally and most of the people I know.

However, there is one advantage when smoking outside the pub. I meet and talk to loads of people that I probably wouldn't have had the chance to socialise with normally and plus I spend that much time outside I'm not spending as much on booze!! Not too god for the pub cash register though!

So all in all I think Britain has gone a little mad. I know plenty of none smokers that agree with this. Why don't they just shut down all cigarette manufacturers? It's ridiculous it's like being bought a present but not being allowed to open it!

I didn't know how to rate this so I rated it low as I do not agree with banning smoking in public places.

Summary: Stop selling them and I won't buy them!