Why do smokers keep banging on about their rights!?

mike h

This has provoked a lot of reaction from smokers, typical really since they have had their own selfish way for decades.

You tell us non smokers to stop whining, go somewhere that smokers aren't etc.

Yet there IS NO SUCH PLACE!!!!! Even walking down the bloody street I occasionally get a selfish bloody smoker walking past me blowing smoke in my path!

I am sick and tired of the selfishness of smokers, if they light up they think it is their right, their choich to smoke, yet they are also inflicting that disgusting habit on those of us who do not smoke.

Now it is our turn to inflict non smoking on you. If you don't like it, tough. That's the choich you have given non smokers for decades, lets see how you like it.

Also as a nurse, the majority of illnesses I see people come in with (bar physical accidents) are lifestyle related. If smoking was banned completely, it would pretty much wip out things like COPD (and yes for that person who mentioned pollution, that does have an effect on health, but it is a miniscule percentage (less than 2 or 3%) compared to smoking).

So if you do not like this smoking ban, tough. It is about time those of us who choose NOT to smoke don't have it forced on us.

PeachPie

Yeah......So what are you going to do about the cars and trucks driving around polluting the air you breathe? Are you gonna want them banned too????????

cyanne2ak

Get over yourself. Smokers have the right to not hear you constantly b*tch while sitting in the smoking section.

Teddy

it's the non-smokers banging on about their rights that has caused the ban. As a smoker I have never moaned about not being able to smoke in certain places. I fully respect the fact it smell and harms others.

I want a perfume ban in all offices as it really agrivates my asthma, smoking however doesn't.

You are slowly winning the battle so stop maoning about us moaning

"and please......Don't say that non smokers have the right to stay out of pubs. They have a right to go out and enjoy ourselves too!!!"

smokers and non smokers have equal rights

trixa

we all have rights. i am a smoker and i welcome the ban. we have not been allowed to smoke in public buildings here in wales since april, its a pain if its raining, but, so what. I would rather take my kids to a smoke free restaraunt, i dont think, in my experience, and during my many conversations with smokers, that it bothers the smokers of the U.K. It seems to bother the non-smokers more. But its something to talk about while you're in your smoke free pub now, isn't it?

Decoy Duck

I'm a smoker, but hate the no smoking laws. Smoking is not illegal. My theory is that there should be non smoking and smoking establishments. Then people could make their own choices of which place to go. If it says Non-Smoking - great! And if there are places for smokers to go, they'd be happy too. Still can't figure out why it's a political issue when the government rakes in billions of dollars in taxes on cigarettes.

Charley

Point at the smokers... But the worst air Everyone is breathing is the polluted air from everyday car exhaust. More children are suffering respiratory problems today than in your lifetime. Hmmm, Do you drive?

the_moma

because its a FREE country - you have your view !

oh come on, let me get out my violin and play a song for you

peroxide.pixie

I pretty much agree, but I dont smoke so its not suprising. I can understand that smokers will feel put out but for years now non-smokers have had to passive smoke through no choice of their own and now I feel it is fair that people who choose to smoke shouldnt impose themselves on those who choose not to. I hope that the ban encourages people to give up too, and if anything positive come out of it for the smokers I feel it may be this.

i totally agree people say things like well you don't have to go or go somewhere else. The truth is I f there was no smoking ban there is no place to go beside kids restaurants that have no smoking. For people who have asthma they can't go to clubs, bars or out in general. I think the smoking ban is great

Mr. Taco

They want to be able to smoke wherever they want. That is why they keep banging on about their rights. If you were a smoker, you'd probably do the same thing. I'm not saying they are right, but that's the answer to your question!

smellyfoot â„¢

As a non smoker, you have the RIGHT not to enter establishments that allow smoking. No one is making you stand next to someone who smokes - you have decided to do so voluntarily! I don't like the way the fresh fish section smells at the grocery store. Should I demand that they remove the fresh fish because is challenges my right not to have to smell something so disgusting while shopping for food? No, of course not. I just choose to avoid that section entirely. And you can do the same thing - it is your right.

Showtunes

Its not a smokers vs. non-smokers issue.
It is private people/business vs. gov't issue. The pub is a private business and if they want to allow smoking they should. If people have a problem with it they can go elsewhere. Instead of using the gov't to enforce your abolition of rights, use the system. Capitalism at work---demand that your favorite pub not allow smoking. Boycott-go to another pub.

Eventually some will allow and some wont, but no one will have had their rights trampled by the gov't just so you can take the lazy way out by crying to the nanny state and giving the gov't more power that they shouldnt have.

aurvaan29

cars and trucks aren't an argument. Its easier to tell someone to stop smoking than make all electric cars and trucks hmm...tell me bout that? It's there fault for starting smoking I have absolutely no sympathy for them at all. They have no arguments with this. In Minneapolis and St. Paul here, we can't smoke in restaurants and bars...its great.

Thumper

You're not from the USA, are you?

missmoodyboots

I live in Wales where the smoking ban is aloready in place and its great to go out and not come home smelling of smoke on the weekend.

Smokers say non smokers should go outside but some non smokers have been working in a smoking workplace.

Its much more convenient for smokers to go outside for a 2 minute *** than for non smokers to stand out there all night because theres always going to be somebody inside lit up.

The ban has encouraged many people to quit and had a good impact on thier health.

dazzace1

im not racist so why are you descriminate. do you drive?? then i have to breathe your poisonous fumes. you have rights, we should. thats why we BANG on about it.

malaysniper

The thing is that restaurants, pubs and most "public" places are owned by individuals. What if the govornment told you to paint your house red? And how many people feel comfortable standing too close to clown or a mime, it might be antisocial but there is no reason to ban them from a public place. Finally, if you dont get addicted from second hand smoke are you really breathing enough to get the health effects, I mean there is no reason to trust the research (which I'm assuming to be against smoke), in the fifties scientist choked a monkey to death with a years supply of marijuana in 2 minutes so they could say it was lethal.

Infinity C

Most smokers are understanding of the fact that non-smokers hate the smell. Most smokers accept the fact that they should't inflict their habits on non-smokers. What we are banging about the most is the fact that we now have absolutely no rights to smoke in any enclosed space. Even non-smoker friends of mine agree with the fact that a totel ban was very stupid. The government should have made the law in a way that allows some places where smokers can go. Take for example the smoking lounge at the airport: why would it hurt you, the non-smoker, if I went into the smokers' lounge and had a ciggie? You wouldn't dream of entering the lounge so you are not exactly breathing my smoke? Why is that such a problem? So we now have absolutely no right, whilst you have ALL the rights. In a democracy it is not right.

alta marea

All right! I'll put in my two cents worth. I'm from British Columbia, we have the worst non-smoking activists in the country. We've had the smoking ban in public places here for years and it's not as bad as some people may think. Some business did lose customers because of the ban and pub owners have b*tched about it, but they are still in business.
I'm a smoker. When I go to the restaurant, I don't mind not being able to smoke, at home I usually smoke outside. I don't go to bars often because I can't stand drunks. So there you have it.
The people that b*itch and complain (on either side of the issue) will eventually shut up and accept the ban. It will take a while to get used to it, but you know we did get used to it.
Oh! I really think they should ban people with strong body odour from entering a crowded pub, it offends my olfactory sense. What do you think?

Rachel

Deary duck is wrong. you cant have smoking and non smoking establishments. If the only jpb you could get to support your family was in a smoking place then you are being put as risk just for getting a job there. The employer cant just have smokers there as that would be discrimination.
I dont see why smokers are so up in arms about it, its not that big a deal. I live in Scotland and I would hazzard a gues that 95% of people are happier with the ban.

FRED M

It is not really about having smoke free areas, it is all about rights period. What will be next? perfume/cologn, body odor, and bad breathe offends people, I have seen businesses refuse to serve if perfume/cologn is on you, where will it stop?
Alcohol is more deadly than second hand smoke why not put a ban on it like smoking? Or better yet let the government tell us when and where we can do anything like using the restroom or making love. No I am not a smoker, just love my right to be free what is left of them.

ssracing

what about the right of the bussiness owners who suffer from these stupid no smoking laws

mnwomen

The owner of the business should be the one to decide whether or not to allow smoking. If smoking is allowed then the non smokers just dont use the business. We had a smoking ban here and the local bars all cut their hours and laid off employees. The nonsmokers who said we will come and make up the difference never did show up. A friend of mine who owns a bar said her revenue dropped 40% during the ban. I have no problem with a ban in restaurants and other public places but bars and private clubs should be allowed to make that decision themselves.

dead and gone

Because you non smokers keep banging on about yours.I don't drink,but don't propose banning alcohol!I suspect you'll find that the cost to Society of alcohol abuse far outstrips that of smoking.I've never assaulted anyone because I've smoked too many cigarettes!

Albert arrrrrrrrggh

Maybe because once the government has outlawed smoking it will turn its attention to banning a few other things. I'm not a smoker, but I am getting a bit concerned at the way our rights are being taken away one by one "for our own good"

bicentennialbuck

If you are so right then start a club or pub with no smoking voluntarily. I think this boils down more to the right of the owner of the pub to make his own rules. In a true free market society if non-smokers really hated it so bad they could go to smoke free joes down the streat and leave smokin' charley's the heck alone.

mamsy0

well said. i don't like to go out as i get much of the same. and when you come home and smell the smoke its not nice. smokers don't smell that. but yes it would be nice to go out and enjoy a drink with out having to have smoke going down
your mouth

dr strangelove

you say "if i stand next to a smoker you are forced to breath in their smoke?" well dont stand next to them then there must be loads of places you can stand so find one and stop whinging i bet your just one of those people who stand next a smoker and complains just for the sake of it a bit like harry enfields old gits sketch , also me as a non smoker quite enjoy going to the pub with my mates (who do smoke) and having a laugh with them.

Wayne Kerr

You have the right to not go to pubs that allow smoking. So you had the choice to go out and enjoy yourself.

Now we do not we cant go to any pub anywhere and enjoy ourselves.

There where plenty of bars and clubs that didnt allow smoking and if there wasn't then what does that tell you. Removing peoples choices is taking away our liberty.

You have no understanding of the risk or consequence of secondary smoke if you did you would realise it is a completely pointless to base your arguments on it.

Many people who smoke have no choice they are addicted.... not illegally perfectly legally. They need to smoke they are chemically dependant on it.

So lets look at the before and after.

Both smokers and nonsmokers had a choice to go to a a variety of places some that catered for smoking some that didnt. Now smokers have no choice at all... so whats good about that?

Oh sorry now you have complete choice well thats nice for you isnt it.

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