David Mitchell on the Pub Garden Smoking Ban

[Cambsred]

The sooner they ban drinking in pubs the better! That will put an end to all of these problems!

I often think if people were less selfish then most of these things would never be an issue. But people generally are selfish, and some far more than others. This is a bigger issue with smoking/ drinking/ anti-social behaviour more generally.

Smoking sections and non-smoking sections seem the best solution, but you need the space to be able to do this and you need people to go along with it.

 

[mercury_redstone7]

The sooner they ban drinking in pubs the better! That will put an end to all of these problems!

I often think if people were less selfish then most of these things would never be an issue. But people generally are selfish, and some far more than others. This is a bigger issue with smoking/ drinking/ anti-social behaviour more generally.

Smoking sections and non-smoking sections seem the best solution, but you need the space to be able to do this and you need people to go along with it.

What about staff, they don't need carcinogens in their working atmosphere.
Smokers are selfish to the point where they are prepared to risk peoples health. Would you eat or drink in a place that reeks like BO?

 

[JackG]

Maybe beer gardens should have a 'smokers shed' at the bottom. Just let the vapers and smokers into that.

Unfortunately, the current law doesn't allow a smoking area to be 'substantially enclosed'. Otherwise, your shed idea sounds like a reasonable solution to the beer garden problem.

 

[Nero]

Smoking is a disgusting habit and the sooner it's banned the better. However there is an issue that doesn't get mentioned often enough and that's obesity. Obesity costs the NHS around £6.5 billion a year and is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer.

That is a very good point. So many people are much heavier than they should be and that is a big problem too.

 

[sweet_left_foot]

Ban smoking, vaping, people who drink too much, people who eat too much and children from pubs.

Done

 

[BoroMart]

That's not what I'm trying to do. My point is that antisocial drinkers don't have the moral high ground over antisocial smokers so are not in a position to "whatabout" them.

I'm not an anti-social drinker, so I'll take the high ground against anti-social smokers and vapers.

 

[BlindBoyGrunt]

I'm not an anti-social drinker, so I'll take the high ground against anti-social smokers and vapers.

Well that's fine, you do that. As a non anti-social drinker you have no need to concern yourself with my posts which were aimed at those who compare social with non social.

 

[Cambsred]

What about staff, they don't need carcinogens in their working atmosphere.
Smokers are selfish to the point where they are prepared to risk peoples health. Would you eat or drink in a place that reeks like BO?

I was specifically talking about the outside ban that is proposed, rather than reversing anything that has been highly successful.

It is a fair point about smoke in the work place. Perhaps no table service outside in the smoking area. I'm sure there is a balance to be had.

 

[jonny_greenings_sock]

Because I like to to take my kids to the pub for lunch / dinner on a sunny day and like to sit outside, the wife might have a cocktail, I will usually be driving so not drinking but theirs always some selfish chunt sat nearby lighting up. Usually sat near their own kids.

I wish the ones with larger beer gardens would divide outdoor areas family at one side, non family / smoking at the other. With a decent gap inbetween.

But outside is the smoking area. If you want the non-smoking area there's an entire pub right there that you can sit in, or go to a restaurant which are 100% designated outdoor non-smoking areas. Sounds a bit selfish to take your kids to the only smoking area and complain about people smoking in it. Can swap if you like but I don't think you'd enjoy that in February.

Your solution is right by the way, should be split like that with a family area, if the pub is geared around the family/food trade - I don't think all pubs need it. And it's a shame that smoking bothers you so much that you can't enjoy a beer garden for a sunny lunch with the family, that's something you should be able to do too. Families should have a space where they can not be around people smoking, and smokers should have somewhere they can enjoy a pint and a fag - we're not talking about sparking up a crack pipe here, you can buy cigarettes in every newsagent and a quarter of the country used to smoke.

Am just saying, we're all capable of being a bit selfish, and people get very triggered by smoking (mainly because it's smelly) but turn a blind eye to their own vices, which can be equally antisocial to some people.

 

[35to39]

I don't care what Daryll Mitchell thinks

 

[SuedeDenimSecretPolice]

Pub garden smoking ban dropped from government plans.

Pub garden smoking ban no longer in government plans

The Health Secretary said he didn't want to cause further harm to the hospitality industry in England.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Rofesleg]

I was specifically talking about the outside ban that is proposed, rather than reversing anything that has been highly successful.

It is a fair point about smoke in the work place. Perhaps no table service outside in the smoking area. I'm sure there is a balance to be had.

Yes, the risks associated with smoke in the workplace was the original reason for the ban.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

Anyone supporting smoking should take a trip to James Cook and see if they return from that trip with the same attitude.

I am sure the same could be said for drinking but four good friends of mine all died at the age of 54/55 of smoking related illnesses. I have only ever known of one drink related death.

 

[parnabyscrosses]

Anyone supporting smoking should take a trip to James Cook and see if they return from that trip with the same attitude.

I am sure the same could be said for drinking but four good friends of mine all died at the age of 54/55 of smoking related illnesses. I have only ever known of one drink related death.

I mean it’s all bad, I’m the other way round I don’t know anyone who’s died from smoking but drinking yes. I definitely don’t ‘support’ smoking but I also could never really support making it illegal.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

I mean it’s all bad, I’m the other way round I don’t know anyone who’s died from smoking but drinking yes. I definitely don’t ‘support’ smoking but I also could never really support making it illegal.

If you make it illegal then criminals step and make money out of selling illegal cigarettes and you wouldn't know what was in them. We have to educate people on the negatives of smoking. I ran a smoking cessation sessions in school but not sure how well it worked.

 

[parnabyscrosses]

If you make it illegal then criminals step and make money out of selling illegal cigarettes and you wouldn't know what was in them. We have to educate people on the negatives of smoking. I ran a smoking cessation sessions in school but not sure how well it worked.

It’s quite crazy here in Spain and I assume other European countries how many young people smoke, tobacco is still really cheap here and although people vape it seems smoking is still much more popular.
The last few times I’ve been in the UK it’s really noticeable that far less people do it now.

 

[Expat Smoggie]

It’s a good point about the legalization of pot smoking and not forgetting the e-ciggie but governments were quick to go after big tobacco until they realized “oh we’re losing that much tax revenue!” soon the whole media and government anti smoking blitz was shutdown. I’ve never been in favour of too much bureaucracy on anything but as governments look to gain an edge on their political opponents the fact is their edge is simply taking away certain liberties.

As for the article I’m not too sure he’s going with the Maggie and Hitler resemblance although it’s fair to say they both had good intentions at the start of their leaderships but don’t all so-called leaders do the same thing? I mean that’s why many of them either get voted out or in some cases pushed out. Lastly life is too short to hang your hat on a political agenda/party or leader, make the best of what you can in the meantime. Happy smoking for those who feel the urge.

 

[Norman_Conquest]

It’s quite crazy here in Spain and I assume other European countries how many young people smoke, tobacco is still really cheap here and although people vape it seems smoking is still much more popular.
The last few times I’ve been in the UK it’s really noticeable that far less people do it now.

There was an article on the BBC on how celebs are making smoking popular again.

Are celebs such as Charli XCX and Addison Rae making smoking 'cool' again?

The cigarette is having a resurgence in pop culture and smoking is being glamorised in film, TV and music.

www.bbc.co.uk