Public Smoking Ban

Jennifer - posted on 09/16/2010

Here in the UK we already have a public somking ban which started in July 2007. It hasn't really impacted on businesses because they can just install an outdoor smoking area/shelter.

Cathy - posted on 09/15/2010

I'm also pretty sure alcohol poising isn't second-hand passable!

Dana - posted on 09/15/2010

Jackie, if it's a bar/restaurant that serves alcohol it's expected, however it is not a smoking lounge.

Bailey - posted on 09/15/2010

Personally, I think smoking should be banned in all public places across the country. I also think it should be illegal to smoke around children, period; I actually think it is abusive. I feel that if people want to damage their own health by smoking, that is up to them, but they should not impose their habit on others. It's gross, and secondhand smoke is damaging to health just as much as if we were smoking ourselves. I used to be a smoker myself, and quit, so I know how hard that is. My husband's parents both smoked around them all during their lives growing up. They have 7 children, and every single one of them is addicted to nicotine in some form. His sisters even smoke during pregnancy. My husband gave up smoking, but now chews tobacco; wants to quit, and can't. I know their addiction stems from being exposed to it their whole lives. It's just plain wrong if you ask me.

Chatty - posted on 09/13/2010

They're not going to get cancer from breathing in the BO from all the sweaty half naked sluts on the dance floor. LMFAO!

Jacquie - posted on 09/13/2010

I'm sure the workers in bars don't want to deal with drunk people either....

Tammy - posted on 09/13/2010

in England the smoking ban was brought about in 2008 and it was the best decision ever made by our government because as a non-smoker myself I use to hate going into restuarants and clubs filled with smoke that made me smell like an ashtray and polluted my lungs through no choice of my own!! also wen I was pregnant with my 1st my mum was a smoker (shes quit now) and i had to sit in the smoking sections in cafes with her and sit in our local with her and my aunties cousins etc all smoking around me which I do believe effected my baby because I ended up developing pre-eclampsia and Ellie was 5 weeks early and a low birth weight! but wen I got pregnant the 2nd time the smoking ban was already in place and I didnt have to sit in one club or restuarant/cafe surrounded by smoke and guess what I carried her to the end and she was born a healthy weight . coincidence?

Brandy - posted on 09/13/2010

I understand that LaCi. Not everybody can quit cold turkey and a person definately has to get themselves into the right situation/mindset before quitting. Good luck!

Jacquie - posted on 09/13/2010

In Washington state this has been a law for about 4 years now. At first there was a lot of complaining but after a while people got used to it. The only places that had major complaints were bars but many bars made smoking area outside and it was nice to be able to go have a drink or do karaoke and not be surrounded by the smoke. Now I live where there isn't a smoking ban in bars and I hate it. Even when I smoked I hated that everyone was smoking in the bar, now that I don't smoke, I won't even go to the bars that allow smoking inside.

?? - posted on 09/13/2010

Both of my parents smoked, my dad quit when I was young, my mom still smokes.

Steve is a non-smoker, never ever tried smoking. I started smoking at 12, peer pressure, I quit. Jade started smoking at 14, peer pressure, she still smokes. Melina is a non-smoker and has never tried smoking.

My half sisters, 1 smokes, 1 never smoked.

So I'm not fully convinced the parents smoking increases the chance of children smoking, since it's right down the middle with our family lol

Also, both my brother and sister are very very very strict non-smoking-advocates. Both of them get on my mom and sisters backs about quitting. They have no tolerance for it and hate smoking with a passion. They also had the same spiel for me when I was a smoker too.

Cathy - posted on 09/13/2010

Working at 15 .. is that even legal in the UK? Just think of all the money you would have saved if you never went to work!

Sarah - posted on 09/13/2010

My parents both smoked when my sister was young. She's never smoked and is VERY anti smoking. By the time I came along, my Mum had quit, I was always anti smoking until I started working at 15 in a hotel. The only way to get a break was to go out and smoke with the smokers, so I used to smoke at work. By the time I was 16/17 I was smoking all the time.

I think that working had more of an effect on me starting to smoke than my parents did to be honest! :)

Chatty - posted on 09/13/2010

Dana, to answer both those questions from my perspective.

Neither of my parents EVER smoked and both my brothers and I have smoked or do still smoke.

My SIL and her brother don't smoke and both her parents are chimneys. My cousin doesn't smoke and her dad does.

Just my experience though.....I think it either goes one extreme or the other when children grow up in smoking homes. They either grow up HATING it and vow to never do it OR they grow up not thinking twice about lighting up because it's all they know.

Dana - posted on 09/13/2010

Yes, I'm sure there are people who smoke whose parents didn't but, I do wonder how many kids don't smoke and their parents did. I do know that there have been studies on it and it DOES greater your chance, I just don't know the actual numbers.

LaCi - posted on 09/13/2010

It definitely wasn't physical illness type symptoms, and it was greatly impacting my life. Like I said, when I get my adderall I predict success at quitting. Until then it's not going to work, Unless I'd like to flunk out of college and burn the house down, or something similar. If theres an underlying issue quitting is not a cut and dry solution. It's essentially the equivalent to going off your medication.



I'm not sure that growing up with smokers influences smoking. I started smoking because my cousin/best friend was smoking, and I wanted to try it. She grew up in a hardcore anti-smoking household.



Chantix really is amazing. We both used it to quit, and we only needed it for about 2 weeks or so. The dreams were pretty awesome as well. Although he still craved cigarettes, I didnt.

Dana - posted on 09/13/2010

I can totally agree with that Jenny (elderly/hospital people). I too am happy that the chances of Ethan smoking now that he isn't growing up in a smoking house is slim. I wonder what the statistics are for that. Everyone one I know who smokes, grew up in a smoking house.

Chatty - posted on 09/13/2010

Thanks, Jo!

?? - posted on 09/13/2010

Has he tried Champix / Chantix, Dana?

I was a pack a day smoker too and I quit using Champix, May 16, 2009.

I gave myself 2 weeks (starting May 2nd) with the pill to slowly disintegrate the cravings. By the end of the first week I only had half a smoke a day, by the end of the second week I didn't even want to smoke.

I haven't ever had a craving again. The smell of cigarette's actually make me gag now and there was/is absolutely zero desire or craving.

Chatty - posted on 09/13/2010

I used to be a hardcore pack and a half a day smoker for 15 years until I got pregnant. While I was pregnant it made me sick to smoke so I, without much thought, quit. Roxanne just turned 2 on Saturday and I can say that now I'm just a social smoker. If someone is around who's smoking (ie. Chad), I'll have a drag or on rare occasion I MIGHT have an entire cigarette but then I'll go days or weeks without thinking about it again. I never thought it was possible to be a part-time smoker but it is.

I'm gonna seriously look into hypnosis for Chad's sake, thanks Dana!

Brandy - posted on 09/13/2010

LaCi, I've been told that the few months of feeling like crap afterwards is your body detoxing from all the chemicals. Don't know if this if fact or not but a friend of mine felt like she had a bad cold for a few months after she quit. I know how your boyfriend feels. It will be 3 years for me in January and I still have cravings but I told myself I will never smoke again so I would never give in. The reason I was smoking was simply because I was addicted to it. I didn't enjoy anything about it, it was just the only way to stop a craving so I continued doing it until I found out I was pregnant, then I had no choice but to sacrifice my comfort so I could make sure my baby was healthy. I'm curious, what benefits are there to nicotine? I've just never heard anyone say anything about this before.

Jenny - posted on 09/13/2010

I believe the no smoking in BC workplaces law was actually started by WCB because it creates an unsafe work environment. It is slowly being expanded to all public places including beaches and parks but that's not through WCB.



I am a former smoker too. I smoked for 12 years and quit when I got pregnant. If there was ever a thing morning sickness is good for, it's quitting smoking. For me, anyways. I love that I can go out and not be constantly surrounded by smokers. As public tolerance has decreased, smoking is decreasing. I know more quitters than smokers now which is great. My partner has never smoked and now that I've quit there are better chances my kids will never start which is great.



I do think there should be more areas they can go though. In care homes the elderly who have been smoking their whole lives are forced to wait for an orderly to wheel them out in the rain if they get the chance to go for one at all. There is smoking on our hospital grounds either. It bother me to see people out in the snow dragging IV poles around, wearing their hospital gowns because they can't even have a freakin tent. I find it cruel. So while the smoking laws are getting better, I'd like to see more compromise for smokers to have a safe space to go as well.

Dana - posted on 09/13/2010

Dana, it was a one shot thing. It was a group hypnosis (about 10 of us) so it was only $50 (American). The guy I went to worked with the American Lung association and the Cleveland Clinic. So I think it depends on who you go to and what type of hypnosis. I've heard of people going to hypnosis and saying it made them think that cigarettes tasted like dog shit and another person I know went to one and when she got out she didn't ever remember smoking at all, it didn't last long for her when she "discovered" the joys of smoking....again.



The guy I went to focused on the fact that you "chose" to smoke, you can "choose" to quit. It was very positive, basically positive reinforcement, that much I remember from the hypnosis.

It was strange. I remember sitting there listening to him, telling us to go through this hallway to the door and open the door, I kept thinking "this is not fucking working for me! I don't see the door!!" Then he told us to open our eyes, still I'm thinking "Shit, this did not work." Then I thought wow that was quick, took about 10 minutes....I looked at the clock and it had been 45. Worked like a charm. ;) Of course my MIL and husband still to this day think it didn't work for them, even though they did quit that day. They say they quit on their own and I suppose to a degree they did, we all did. You can't do want you don't want to do anyhow. I think that's the key.

As far as my husband and MIL, I think they just don't want to admit someone got into their head. ;)

Chatty - posted on 09/13/2010

Chad has been wanting me to look into hypnosis so he can quit....perhaps it's time to give it a try?! Was it expensive, ladies? Is it just a one-time thing?

Tara - posted on 09/13/2010

Yes, and it's been a law in Ontario Canada for many many years. Initially we had the same opposition from bar owners and restaurateurs but many found a solution by offering patio dining and/or outdoor smoking patios.
Why should any one have to put up with someone's second hand smoke? The staff that work in these establishments are at an increased risk of lung disease and other respiratory ailments. Second hand smoke has also implicated in a lower resistance to illnesses.
By the way, I'm a long term smoker.

Dana - posted on 09/13/2010

Hehe.

LaCi - posted on 09/13/2010

I need a hypnotist to make me stop eating cookies. ;x

Dana - posted on 09/13/2010

His might go away. My MIL smoked for 40 odd yrs and she quit (with the hypnosis too). It's been 3 yrs and she JUST said the other night that she's finally hasn't had any cravings for a while. It's not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. Yes, it's easy to quit, the after effects aren't as easy. It's like any other addiction it can be a life time struggle or you can get past it in a few yrs. I swear by hypnosis though. I never really believed in anything like that and it was AMAZING.

LaCi - posted on 09/13/2010

I'm pretty sure I can safely diagnose myself ADD. Which is funny, because it never occurred to me until I was arguing that ADD was overdiagnosed in some thread on COM when I checked the DSM and realized I display every symptom. ;) When I smoke it's fairly controlled though, I'm still forgetful, but I can concentrate when I need to. If I ever go to the doctor I'll tell him to give me some adderall and we'll see what happens.



The boyfriends issue is anxiety. He's pretty well controlled. I think he'll crave cigarettes for the rest of his life though. He's very well disciplined and hasn't picked on up yet, and I'm proud of him for it.

Dana - posted on 09/13/2010

Laci, it's interesting how quitting can be different for everyone. I smoked for over 15 yrs, went to a hypnotist and walked out never picking up a cigarette again but it was hard to get my mind to cope without it. I didn't crave them really at all. Here or there it would lightly cross my mind, mostly out of habit. I found the hardest part of it was that I didn't have a cigarette to help me cope with things going on in my life. I had a wedding I was planning, my cat who was 20 yrs old died and my job was working me ragged. I started getting anxiety attacks over my job and I swear that wouldn't have happened had I been smoking. Luckily I was able to quit working while my mind wrapped around my new life of not having that cigarette to help me cope.

I'm not sure what issues you had while trying to quit but, I suggest to anyone who has had prior (I didn't) issues with anxiety or depression, take it easy, don't push yourself and if need be, go get on some medication or some kind of help for the time being. No one needs to create or add to any issues while they're quitting smoking. It's hard enough as it is.

LaCi - posted on 09/13/2010

Well it doesn't feel great at first but after a couple weeks, it gets easier. Then slowly, you start to feel great even though you didn't know that you weren't already feeling your best. Thanks :)

Not really. I quit twice, both times I felt fine for a week or so. Progressively felt worse for the next couple months, couldn't figure out why, when my boyfriend pointed out that I had been getting worse since quitting. Picked up a pack on the way home and I was cured. Boyfriend quit over 2 years ago and still has the same cravings, as though he never quit. So for 2 years he's pretty much constantly wanted a cigarette. I've said before, if you don't know the reason why you're smoking, quitting alone may be highly ineffective. If you're smoking simply for the pleasure of smoking it may be simple to quit. If you're self medicating, it's not going to be that simple. I'm pretty sure I know what my problem is, and if I would seek out appropriate medication I could problem quit without any issues. However, we tend to forget that nicotine is a drug that can have medicinal benefits as most other drugs can, and that some people are not smoking for pleasure, they are smoking as a form of treatment. Same applies to all drugs.

I hate people throwing butts out as well. Why do people think a cigarette butt is any less litter than a bottle or can? So ridiculous. There are trash cans everywhere, roll the butt out in your fingers and toss the non flaming remnants in the appropriate receptacle. simple.

Dana - posted on 09/12/2010

I just wanted to respond to everyone talking about the litter caused by smokers. That drove me nuts even when I did smoke! I always threw my butts into the garbage or kept them in my pocket until I got to a garbage can. For those who do smoke and think it's going to make you stinky to hold onto those butts, you already do stink.

Amanda - posted on 09/12/2010

It's been banned everywhere that I have lived...from Kansas to Pennsylvania & I like it. I don't smoke, but my husband does.

I for one don't like to go home smelling like it, and the smell makes me sick. I also wouldn't want to have my daughter inhaling the smoke.

Johnny - posted on 09/12/2010

I do not understand why people think that bars should be available to smokers. Why is it acceptable in a bar specifically? Human beings also work in bars and do not want to breathe in that air. Non-smokers frequent bars and do not want to breath it in. I can not tell you how happy I was when they banned smoking in bars & night clubs here. It was lovely to actually be able to taste my pint without the stale smell of smoke permeating my nostrils. And getting home after without having to undress in the laundry room to avoid having my closet smelling like smoke was also a treat.

Chatty - posted on 09/12/2010

Jacquie and all the others that don't understand why they would ban it in a bar.....what about the employs that have to work in those conditions? Doesn't their right to breath in clean air matter?

Jacquie - posted on 09/12/2010

I don't smoke anymore, but I still think it is silly to ban smoking in bars. EVERYWHERE else, yes, but in bars? Really? Now they are even banning smoking on patios at bars. (I live in California).

Crissy - posted on 09/12/2010

Oregon has already banned it. I believe you should be able to smoke where you please.

Chrystal - posted on 09/12/2010

I think as long as you have a side that is closed off specifically to smokers than it's fine. I used to be a smoker so I know how enjoyable it can be.

Mary - posted on 09/12/2010

It's funny, I was just thinking about this topic the other day. Maryland enacted the restaurant/bar ban about two years ago; it's been even longer that you could not smoke in all other indoor places.

What made me think about this was about a week ago, we went out to dinner as a family to a local place that has a large dining area that is very kid friendly, but also has a large bar in the front. Coming in and out of the place, we had to parade through about 15 people outside having a smoke. It was a muggy night, and I felt like we were passing through a wall of smoke.

I don't blame the smokers...they were simply following the law... but it made me wonder about the implementation of this policy. Before, I could walk in and out of this place for dinner and not come out reeking like an ashtray if I didn't go into the bar area. The way it is now, I had to go home and wash the smell of smoke out of my toddler's hair.

My hospital became a "smoke free campus" a few years back. Prior to that, they had designated smoking huts at about 4 different spots...all strategically placed to that people entering or exiting the facility were not subjected to them. Now, the staff and visitors all have to hike down to either of the public roads that straddle the campus. When you drive into either of our entrances, you are greeted by the site of a bunch of fugtives in scrubs/uniforms smoking on the sidewalk. Great advertising, huh? Not to mention the butts that are scattered all over the place, since people still smoke on campus if they can get away with it, but now don't have anywhere to toss their contraband butts. It was less obvious, and offensive, when they had designated smoking huts.

It's not that I'm against the ban, but I'm less than impressed with the results. It does not curtail people's smoking, and the non-smoker is still coming into contact with second hand smoke. I think I was less bothered by designated smoking sections. I agree with what Laci propsed earlier...let the establishments themselves decide...and then I , as a patron, can make the choice to go there according to my preference of smoking vs non.

Jess - posted on 09/11/2010

I find it strange that this law is only just being suggested now. Where I live in Australia, smoking in a public building was banned at least a decade ago. Smoking inside bars was a few years back and that includes parks, beaches and defiantly at schools. You also can't smoke within 4 metres of door to a building/shoppig centre or outdoor food area. Recently they outlawed smoking in cars carrying children too !

We have very strict smoking law, this includes zero advertising for smoking, they must be concealed inside the stores that sell them, the packaging must carry health warning and photo's of the damage they can do. Cigarette companies are not allowed to sponsor any team or event either.

The government just hiked up the tax on cigarettes and is planning to force plain packaging too. Smoking is such a taboo thing here now. As a non smoker I think its wonderful !

JuLeah - posted on 09/11/2010

I don't think it hurt local businesses, even though oppnents claimed it would.
Ban smoking, save a few lives .... yah, I am for it

Stifler's - posted on 09/11/2010

They have 2 year old chain smokers in some of those countries.

Anika - posted on 09/10/2010

Yeah, I think the government gets too much from taxes. Though you'd think that would be offset by the cost of health care. Also, if you make smoking illegal, you'd have to look at alcohol as well and then fatty food and then where would it stop? Also, and I hope this doesn't come off incredibly racist, but Asian cultures smoke A LOT. And good luck stopping them from smoking.

Brandy - posted on 09/10/2010

Well it doesn't feel great at first but after a couple weeks, it gets easier. Then slowly, you start to feel great even though you didn't know that you weren't already feeling your best. Thanks :)

LaCi - posted on 09/10/2010

I quit 2 1/2 years ago and life is better without it. I wish everyone else would quit too so they would know how awesome it feels.


Consider yourself extremely lucky. It does not feel great for everyone to quit. But congrats on your success for 2 1/2 years.

Stifler's - posted on 09/10/2010

The government makes too much revenue off it?

Brandy - posted on 09/10/2010

Why not make smoking illegal period? Cigarette smoke contains over 4000 different chemicals. More chemicals than crack or heroin contain. Carol, I just laughed when I read your post. Maybe the fact that people would risk their lives and possibly get hit by a car just for a puff of a cigarette should be taken as a sign for how horrible it is. I quit 2 1/2 years ago and life is better without it. I wish everyone else would quit too so they would know how awesome it feels.

Rosie - posted on 09/10/2010

wait a couple more years anika, we'll find out that smelling BO does give you cancer, lol!! anti perspirant has been linked to it, it isn't all that far fetched...:)

Anika - posted on 09/10/2010

We've had a ban here for maybe 5 years? Maybe more. It hasn't hurt businesses at all. You can smoke outside though and lots of places have set up seating areas on the sidewalk (I think they need a permit for that). My Dad is the manager at the bar at his local rugby club and he thinks its great because him and his staff don't have to put up with the second hand smoke. The only downside I've noticed is that now, without all that gross smoke masking it, you can really REALLY smell the BO in bars now. Mmmm. Yummo. But I guess other people's BO aint gonna give you cancer! :) Oh and a couple of years ago when we were in Greece it was disgusting how much they smoked inside restaurants (even though there's supposedly a ban there). It's pretty disgusting when the waiter is smoking when he brings you your food! And have you noticed how the smoke seems to know who the non-smokers are and waft that way?! :)

Louise - posted on 09/10/2010

This law came in 2 years ago in Britain and it is really nice to sit in the pub and not smell like an ash tray when you come home. It has made no difference to the trade of the pub as each pub has provided a smoking area outside for the smokers. The only problem we have now is when it is good weather (which is not often in England) all the smokers sit outside and puff away leaving the non smokers stuck in the hot sticky pub. Personally I would like to see smoking banned on the streets as well as there is nothing worse than standing to have a chat with someone and someone who smokes stops infront of you blowing smoke all over you and baby. Cigarettes are so expensive in the UK as they are taxed very highly to provide more money to the NHS to help pay for the medical treatment that smokers need. Everybody is entitled to smoke if they so wish just don't inflict it on others who do not. I would say that business has actually picked up in the restaurants and pubs as there are less smokers than non smokers around now as the ban has been a good incentive for people to give up.

Sarah - posted on 09/10/2010

I think it has had a negative effect on businesses. I know someone that runs a bar in my town, and he says his profits have gone down since the ban came in. There's a few places that have no space for a decent outside smoking area too, they have suffered because people go to the places that DO have a proper smoking area. Places like bingo halls have suffered too, as a large proportion of their customers smoke.

In saying all that, I think the ban has had positive effects too, as a smoker, I've gotten used to going outside, so long as the place in question has a decent place to smoke, it doesn't bother me having to go outside.

I still think it should be down to the owners of the establishment as to whether they allow smoking or not.