For or against the smoking ban?

[Bowser22]

A blanket ban is the only way to handle the situation. How many pubs/clubs would actually choose to go "non-smoking" given the choice. I'm a smoker and i'm all for the ban. Fair enough it's a real pain in the ass but it gives rise to such terminology as 'smirting'.... smoking and flirting... fuckin result imo

 

[caff]

^Wow, you have an absurd advocacy of governmental paternalism.
Smoking should be prohibited as a choice simple because non-smokers can't make the correct decision of "smoking or non-smoking"?

Haha, where did you get that idea? Maybe you should re-read my post. Both you and pennywise decided to draw conclusions from my posts that I never actually stated. I'm simply raising the point that people are dumb, and go along with the crowd, and as it happens I like the smoking ban (for different reasons!!). In general, I loathe 'government parternalism', you should hear me rant on IRL. I prefer smoking outside, and it benefits me to not have to be in a confined environment full of smoke. That's just my personal preference - I'm not really arguing the wider implications of a ban, in terms of having a 'nanny state' and such. I'm just biased and self-centred

 

[L2R]

I get the feeling your problem with second hand smoke comes more from your dislike of the habit, rather than from any health problems.

My dislike stems directly from the health concerns, much alike my complete contempt for irresponsible driving. If it weren't for the potential damage these practices have for innocent bystanders, i wouldn't be so vehemently opposed.

 

[Riconoen]

Here in nevada smoking is still permitted in bars and casinos. they have really good air filters which completely get rid of the smell and any harmful effects.

And just becuase you dislike it doesn't mean it has to be illegal. Your line of thinking is why the WOD started. I hate people in rice burners who blast their subwoofers so loud you can feel the ground shaking. But I don't think it should be illegal. And you're getting exposed to carbon monoxide every time you walk down a crowded street. Their are bigger things to worry about and someone who posts on a drug oriented forum ought to learn to respect others choices.

 

[L2R]

I do not think it should be illegal just because i dislike it. I never suggested nor implied this.

stop being so defensive and look at the cost/benefit of this stupid fucking drug.

want another reason? well, coming from a country with a relatively reasonable public health insurance scheme, i don't want to foot the bill of your health problems just because you chose to spend your money on cigerettes rather than on private medical insurance. ... or anything else for that matter.


wahwahwah smokers suck! wahwah

 

[Riconoen]

I'm not a heavy smoker and only smoke when talking to friends or when I have to wait a long time or something. Yes, I do think there are much better drugs out there, and smoking 2 packs a day is stupid. but hey, different strokes for different folks, I think alot of drugs are stupid and have more costs than benefits, but I'm not going to tell someone how to live their lives.

 

[L2R]

"smoking is unwise, even in lower quantities for reasons x, y & z" doesn't seem to be getting through. i see an astonishing number of young people smoke these days, and none of these people can claim the same as older generation (my father's age) who were all misinformed. these people KNOW the shit before they still chose to partake.

that is just so fucking stupid as to be bewildering, and i see no reason to soften this fact.

like i illustrated earlier, i don't hate smokers. many of my friends smoke. my wife used to smoke, so did my dad. don't take what i say personally. of all the fantastic that you are, this one little itty bit i find blindingly retarded, that's all. no biggie

 

[Riconoen]

People are stupid and will always find ways to kill themselves, even though I know what I am doing is bad for me I do it anyways, I'm not even sure why I do it lol. Glad it's all good though

 

[L2R]

well, sorry if i feel compelled to prolong the life of someone with great musical and avatar taste :D

 

[wizekrak]

I;ve always wondered how many smokers would quit if they could wake up tommorow without the desire or need to smoke. In reality I think many of them are trying to rationalize their vice. They don't want to quit and they don't want to be inconvenienced either. So they say it's their right to smoke where ever they want. What's so hard about taking it outside for a few minutes and then coming back in? At least you guys don't have -45 degree winters. Ever had a cigarette outside a club in -30 celsius with nothing on but a shirt and jeans?

 

[toa$t]

A blanket ban is the only way to handle the situation. How many pubs/clubs would actually choose to go "non-smoking" given the choice. I'm a smoker and i'm all for the ban. Fair enough it's a real pain in the ass but it gives rise to such terminology as 'smirting'.... smoking and flirting... fuckin result imo

I can't believe it took this long to come up. this is exactly why you have to have a balnket ban. we already had an "optional system" in place before any "new legislation" started allowing bars to choose whether or not to allow smoking. bars were free to choose not to allow smoking before... and look how many did so. Why? I think the an$wer is obviou$. Many non-smokers are not passionate about going to a bar which doesn't allow smoking, whereas for a smoker going to a non-smoking bar is like jerking off without porn. Thus people simply end up at smoking bars, non-smoking bars lose money and are forced to repeal their rule.

But this is just why I think that if there is to be a smoking ban, it has to be a blanket ban. Do I think there should be a smoking ban altogether? Yes. I was a smoker when the ban in Ontario began. It was nice coming home from a club not smelling like an ashtray havign smoked 20+ cigarettes in 3-4 hours. My clothes don't get burned, and ironically, going out for a smoke can be a nice breath of fresh air. But this just comes down to my personal preference. In terms of health risks, I certainly think it is unfair to deny non-smokers access to an environment if they fear the very real concerns associated with second hand smoking. Uncer the previous system, non-smokers were faced with a choice of either going clubbing or staying away from second hand smoke. Despite the fact that many non-smokers will choose the former option, I feel that but is unfair to them when something as simply as forcing people to walk 20 feet to smoke a butt solves the problem for everyone.

 

[Khadijah]

I think we should have a ban of loud music in clubs, becuz it just aint fair that people who want to go out clubbing have to deal with that high volume and possibly damage their hearing. Secondhand noise is extremely dangerous. And you know maybe people want to go out but they dont want to seem lame, or they feel like they aint got no choice, so they go out and subject themselfes to that but they really dont want to go out and come home with their ears ringing for a hour afterwards. Its a health risk and its people and their stupid fuckin habit that they are pushing on me, and that aint right. it aint fair that the noise pollution from your loud music got to affect MY ears. Why should you have the right to affect my hearing health becuz you like to listen to your music pumped up all loud? Its rude and inconsiderate and people need to respect the rights of others. i want to see a law passed that restricts the level of volume in every club, so people in the club wont get their ears damaged, and even so people outside the club cant hear the music, becuz it aint fair that anyone else should have to hear their music when they aint even in the club for the music and they are just in the nearby area.


8) Sound a lil familiar......

 

[toa$t]

wear earplugs. I do. people who don't want to breathe 2nd hand smoke can't wear a gas mask. totally different scenario.

 

[Bowser22]

stop being so defensive and look at the cost/benefit of this stupid fucking drug.

want another reason? well, coming from a country with a relatively reasonable public health insurance scheme, i don't want to foot the bill of your health problems just because you chose to spend your money on cigerettes rather than on private medical insurance. ... or anything else for that matter.


wahwahwah smokers suck! wahwah

I have to take you up on that.....

I'm in Ireland where a packet of ciggys costs 7.45 euro. or $11.83 cents.... which is rather expensive in anyones book. Of that price 80% is tax...pure and simple. So If i smoke a 20 pack a day for ten years that means i pay 21754 euro or $34541 in tax in addition to my income tax and vat that everyone pays.

I won't be held to account as "clogging" the health service.

We smokers are the only bloody thing keeping it going imo

 

[pennywise]

I think we should have a ban of loud music in clubs, becuz it just aint fair that people who want to go out clubbing have to deal with that high volume and possibly damage their hearing. Secondhand noise is extremely dangerous. And you know maybe people want to go out but they dont want to seem lame, or they feel like they aint got no choice, so they go out and subject themselfes to that but they really dont want to go out and come home with their ears ringing for a hour afterwards. Its a health risk and its people and their stupid fuckin habit that they are pushing on me, and that aint right. it aint fair that the noise pollution from your loud music got to affect MY ears. Why should you have the right to affect my hearing health becuz you like to listen to your music pumped up all loud? Its rude and inconsiderate and people need to respect the rights of others. i want to see a law passed that restricts the level of volume in every club, so people in the club wont get their ears damaged, and even so people outside the club cant hear the music, becuz it aint fair that anyone else should have to hear their music when they aint even in the club for the music and they are just in the nearby area.


8) Sound a lil familiar......

lol :D

BAN LOUD MUSIC!!!!

 

[pennywise]

people who don't want to breathe 2nd hand smoke can't wear a gas mask.

what about the people who work at the club? They have to be able to hear peoples drink orders and other stuff like that. That's not fair to them.

How the hell do you go to the club with earplugs? You just walk around unable to hear the whole time?

 

[kingofthegonzo]

I guess I'm for the ban but that wasn't always the case. The main reason is concern for the workers especially in America where health care is basically unattainable to those at the bottom of the socio economic level. Another reason I am pro ban is that I don't mind going outside for 5 minutes or so especially in the summer (Minnesota) plus there is no better way to meet people as opposed to individuals just sitting at the bar with their own friends in their own world.

 

[toa$t]

what about the people who work at the club? They have to be able to hear peoples drink orders and other stuff like that. That's not fair to them.

How the hell do you go to the club with earplugs? You just walk around unable to hear the whole time?

earplugs don't block out the noise completely, they simply bring it down to a safer and more manageable level. I see bar staff wearing earplugs at clubs all the time. they are extremely effective and cost next to nothing. If find it much easier to carry a conversation at a club wearing my earplugs too.

I have to take you up on that.....

I'm in Ireland where a packet of ciggys costs 7.45 euro. or $11.83 cents.... which is rather expensive in anyones book. Of that price 80% is tax...pure and simple. So If i smoke a 20 pack a day for ten years that means i pay 21754 euro or $34541 in tax in addition to my income tax and vat that everyone pays.

I won't be held to account as "clogging" the health service.

We smokers are the only bloody thing keeping it going imo

I can't speak to what it's like in ireland, but in canada a pack of butts is about $10, a lot of which is tax, and it comes nowhere NEAR offsetting the cost of health care for smokers. source here

 

[Xorkoth]

Personally, I think it's a breach of civil liberties. Why target smokers and not drinkers - both are bad for your health.

Because second-hand smoke damages other people. And even if you don't believe that (I'm not sure why you wouldn't given the evidence - and common sense), it is incredibly unpleasant for non-smokers to be around. I used to smoke but don't anymore, and I can't even breathe around cigarettes. I even go somewhere else if people are smoking them near me outside. Not out of spite, but because it really bothers my breathing.

Drinking doesn't produce this same problem. Sure, you can get wasted and hurt someone, most notably driving, but that's why there are laws against public intoxication and drunk driving. Just having people drinking in an establishment does not impede upon anyone else's enjoyment of that establishment in the way that smoking does.

 

[kingofthegonzo]

Drinking doesn't produce this same problem. Sure, you can get wasted and hurt someone, most notably driving, but that's why there are laws against public intoxication and drunk driving.

I'm on your side and everything but a little second hand smoke is safer then alcohol; driving or not. Its kind of ridiculous that alcohol is even legal considering the threshold from intoxication to hospitalization.

What I am trying to say is don't judge the merits of chemical x from chemical z when their both dangerous.