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

Can't we just go for the men in uniform suggestion?

Well, they could just patrol the perimeter around the chair...

I think I've lots the plots

Just want to be counted as a silent smoker, so you get the numbers right.

Is there a mathematical equation for the ratio of smokers expected to attend and the size of the smoking area?

Actually, I'm in mode, so if someone tells me the square footage for the room, the number of attendees, and the number of smokers, I'd quite enjoy working it out .

Being online since 10:00 yesterday has sent me funny

It's 42 %
mode

We'll use that. I like that, as it's probably higher than the actual figure...

Don't you need the figures three ways? Smokers, non-smokers, and (for want of a better group word for pregnant women, small children, and asthmatic) anti-smokers...

Just to complicate the issue...

Hmm, not sure about that. I mean, surely a anti-smoker is a non-smoker, by defination?

Anti smokers should be considered a sub-set of non-smokers.... Just to confuse your statistical calculations

mode...

Well, the aim is to reduce the amount of involuntary confinement. Now, non-smokers who don't mind smoke will be unconfined by any restriction, so they can be ignored, statistically.

so let S = number of smokers, and let A = number of smoking-Averse people. Using this thread as a sample, we have S=8 , A=5 (as far as I can make out). However, smokers don't spend all their time smoking, more like 10%, perhaps? So divide S by 10, and you get a smoking zone that takes up 14% of the venue. However, if strategically important areas of the pub are made non-smoking, then this would need to be increased to compensate.

-Martin

You need to consider the subset of asthmatic smokers, as you will need extra space to accomodate the paramedic plus his/her equipment when said smoker turns blue and falls over.

*coughs*

And there maybe some who are actually anti-smoking, but at the same time unable to quit.

There may be some such, marjin, but it doesn't effect the stats...

The more you lot moan, the smaller the smoking section will get!

We're not moaning Abi, we're utilising our ness to come up with the optimum smoking area.....

That's all well and groovy, but you might still end up with one stool and a broken chair.

Oh, in that case we'll have to get out our big cigars and pipes, and sabotage the air con, thus expanding the smoking area by more devious means

Well if it is just 'one stool and a broken chair' I'll probably just say stuff it and do something else instead that day.

Just to let you know that I am unsubscribing from this thread as I now have a good idea of how many smokers we will have to non-smokers.

I just hope that the smokers are going to help us implement a solution that keeps everyone happy.