h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Personally - I'd *rather* have non-smoking, or segregated smoking.

I used to play Bass Trombone in a Jazz Band, and after a 1 hour slot, I used to feel really ill for ages (guess why I left!!!). It's not so much the smell - I can deal with that fine. Just the effect the smoke seems to have on my lungs is not good.

If I can be there (still trying to get a confirmation from my parents) I will be, no matter what the smoking arrangements.

* dreams about the prospect of a non-smoking pub *

Mmm... that'd be nice...

Unrealistic though, given that lots of Researchers smoke. Maybe the next meet should be on National No Smoking day or something

Or even on national smoking day in a mandatory smoking pub.

Sorry, just evening the keel somewhat



(secretly hoping to give up at the end of the month, so put me in both camps )

*lights up*

Having been one of the people who started off this whole debate, I was shocked to discover how strong some peoples' physical reaction to smoking actually is.

*inhales*

However, it would be almost equally unacceptable to say 'no smoking, anywhere' - half the researchers would not turn up.

*knocks ash of cigarette*

I guess it means a lot of work for the italics to find somewhere with two well ventilated rooms, one for smokers and one for non-smokers, and enforce the policy vigorously, but, alas, I think that is the only option.

*looks at smoke and wishes she could blow smoke rings*

The keys, unfortunately, are 'well ventilated' and 'enforce the policy'.

*inhales again, and thinks about making a cup of tea*

Ben

We have two options here,

a) to make one area of the room non-smoking. Which is a possible, but the ceilings are not particularly high and we will have children and pregnant women there.

b) to ask the smokers to retire upstairs to the main bar, but that seems a bit antisocial as all the food, quizes etc will be downstairs in the room we have hired. It would be unfair to expect non-smokers to go upstairs to a bar that is a smoking area.

What we are suggesting is this, that the meetup is not going to be non-smoking. However, and it is a big however, the area reserved for smoking will be small, because majority of attendees are non-smokers and we would ask that smokers respect the arrangements and keep to that area or go upstairs to the main bar. The non-smoking area will include the bar area and that is at the insistence of the venue as it is a Health & Safety issue for their staff as well as the Italics. We are after all at work.

Whatever we decide, have no fear, it will be rigorously but politely enforced and we would request that smoking researchers will help to make sure that this aspect of the meetup is successful.

> "area reserved for smoking will be small"

While there is only a minority of smokers, could the area reserved for smoking be made large enough for both smokers *and* those who may want to talk to those smokers? I'd hate to note be able to go talk to a friend because I'd be taking up smoking area room for someone desperate for a fag...

-Lucinda (and if we have an smiley, where's the smiley, huh? Boo! )

Good point, Lucinda!

Abi, maybe you can declare being an Italic a hazardous job and get a pay-rise?

And can we ask groups of non-smokers who aren't actually engaged in conversation with smokers, but are only sitting there because they fancy a bit of a sit down, to move on because they are blocking our space

At this rate we'll need men in uniform to patrol the boundaries of the de-ciggaretised zone...

I am taking those last three comments with a Siberian salt mine.

Of course the area is not going to be that small, no I don't think a payrise is in the offing and of course Grey Desk.

My experience with dedicated "no smoking" zones has been that they're normally set too small and then non-smokers are unwelcome and it all gets segregated in a bad way, not a good way So I'm glad we won't be having those kinds of problem

That's all assuming the fire service aren't on strike on the 25th...

-Lucinda

Lucinda, if you are really worried I will reserve you a seat!

I bet who ever blatantly set fire to that fireworks warehouse must have been really annoyed when the first bit of industrial action was cancelled.

Maybe we're wrong in anticipating that smokers are also normal social beings, and will be happy to mingle, returning to the 'smoking area' simply for a quick fag.

We are normal social beings, up to the point when someone tells us off for smoking. Then we turn nasty

We'll only tell you off if you smoke in the wrong place. Or you ask me niccely, in which case I'm happy to oblige.

I'm sure they'll be plenty of room for little old you Luce . I'm also sure that between us all we can growl loud enough at non-smokers who aren't there for a reason- after all, no one growls like a smoker

Ben, I don't have you down on the Spreadsheet of Doom so there isn't a ticket reserved. Did you sign up in the RSVP thread?

Hi all,

I heartily recommend you go the whole nine yards and get in one of those things they have in some US airports - you know, the virtually air-tight plastic Lecter-cell type constructions you have to go inside to smoke (i know, i know, nobody forces you at gunpoint, but i went ahead and smoked in the box of death anyway).

Or, regarding the policing strategy, why not have single smokers' seat in the corner, with space around it. Smokers would take it in turns to have a ciggy in splendid isolation. You could have a little 'reservation list' next to it, or one of those number systems like in social services.

hope that's helpful,
smokeman spiff