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

Just done a quick search of H2G2 and I can't seem to find any debate on the proposed Government smoking ban.

Is there one somewhere I can join, or is this the start of it?

If this is the start -

Passive smoking causes cancer - prove it. There is no credible scientific study that links the two.

Or do you know different?

I'm not bothered about the cancer, I just hate the smell.

Everybody dies but, and I speak as a smoker, cigarette smoke is nasty. Speaking as a smoking drinker, why not have a choice between smoking and non-smoking establishments? I appreciate the argument that the staff can be affected (beit by ill health or just the general unpleasantness) surely nobody *has* to work in a pub!

Nobody can prove that smoke causes cancer - but it seems likely.

I would love to open a pub and have a sign saying smokers only

strugglingwithlife

i dont think that theres any relation between pasive smoking and

cancer. after all, if the typical age for smoke-cancer victims is 55-70,

and said smoker would have had to intake about 20-60 ciggys per day (i

looked it up during a prievious anti-smoking ban rant) then a passive

smoker would have to breath a hell of a lot of smoke in their lifetime

for cancer to be a possibility.

I found this on another BBC message board, I can't vouch for it's veracity -

<>

BK - a t-total landlord of a smokers only pub.

Roy, t-total landlord only, but everyone else can get smashed and smoke themselves silly.

And that famous line of "drinking the profits", i'll be quids in

Thing is guys, this is only the start. I heard an MP on the radio a while ago crowing that this Government was going to crack down on our appalling "abuse" culture. First a smoking ban, he said, then combined with ID cards, a system would be implemented where people would be allowed 3 drinks a night in pubs, (your ID card would be swiped every time you bought a drink)

Nanny State?

Fascist Nanny State

Hmmmmm... I didnt think there was any argument (even from some of the Tobbaco industry) about the effects of second hand smoke.

As to cancer et al, I dunno. But I am chronically Asthmatic and nothing sets it off like smoke from other peoples "straight" fags.

I will have to look it up but AFAIK the scientific case for "nd hand smoke being harmful is compelling in the extreme....

Trundles off....

i agree with the whole smoke segregated bar thing. not just for the

enjoyment of the smoker, but to prevent the obvious loss of buisness

pubs are going to have. personally i cant drink my JD's without at

least a 20 pack of fags to keep me happy!

What a load of B*****ks struggling, how can this be indicative of a "facist" state. Banning smoking has been on the cards for ages, it is based on a manifesto pledge and the MPs had a free vote.

No one is bieng told they cannot smoke, merely that they cannot smoke in enclosed spaces where people work.

this is just another measure by the government to limit our freedom.

goodbye, 2006, hello 1984

big brother is watching you

Hope the smoking ban applies to the Houses of Parliment then, the cigar smoking capital of the world and their brandys

So smokers have a choice of:

Outside or

At home. For a while, until that gets banned as well in case anyone has to fix the boiler.

Why can't smoking establishments employ smoking staff to serve their smoking punters?

sorry FB, but here in Scotland we won't be able to smoke in our homes either,

If a council employee needs to visit your home, (ie meals on wheels), they will not enter if anyone is smoking.

Truckers can't smoke in their cabs, even if they have to sleep in them.

Farmers can't smoke in their tractors.

OK, "Fascist" is a bit strong. Sorry, I retract that.

--Smoking bans briefing http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/A2702143

and if you like http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/C2565 about ID cards

I hope they dont ban farting in public, i will never leave the house again

>> ...hope they dont ban farting in public... <<

Actually, if one dismisses all the self-righteous health hysteria that begets facist tendencies to tell others how we must live, then the issue of smoking really is very similar to farting.

It is a personal thing, which one must learn to do discreetly and in private or risk public wrath and humiliation.

Funny thing is, in our newly enlightened 'liberal' society we are now expected to tolerate any flatulent stinker who claims to have 'irritable bowel syndrome'.

Not his fault you see. Where-as, smokers are just undesirable and unwanted addicts, pathetic victims of corporate greed and Hollywood imagery.


~jwf~