smoking banned inside at end of the year!

justin: You mention how few non smoking bars there are, well, on the Costa Blanca there are plenty.

Bar owners have to make economic decisions, & they know how much business they will lose if they ban ALL smoking. Ireland is a case in point, the smoking ban has decimated the rural pub trade as it has in the UK.

We live in a democracy, both in Spain & in the Uk, & smoking is legal, & I have the right to enjoy smoking, which is why there are non smoking & smoking bars in Spain. Unlike the UK with a blanket ban, something the labor party in their last manifesto said thery wouldn't bring in!

 Yes, you also have the right to be in a smoke free area. There is a choice & that is the way it should be.

If non smoking bars are viable you will find them. If not, what will happen in Spain is what is happening in the Uk & Ireland, people like me will not go to pubs, we will buy our drinks from an off license & we will drink at home, & that is why pubs close!

Smoking will remain legal because no government, & no UK government can afford to lose the tax revenue. 

If those statistics are to be believed then lets hope that the chancellor steps up the tax on cigarettes significantly then in every budget to ensure that our health service is propped up by the evil weed, until such time as they no longer depend on these monies and find more morally acceptable sources of alternative income. Hopefully the sooner the better. Seriously though it does appear to be a self perpetuating problem that needs resolving, especially as this generation of smokers reach an age where the related symptoms start to escalate and become an even greater burden on the health service.

I agree that there should be a more effective way of reaching the youngsters. Perhaps some of these youngsters themselves, those who have been directly affected by this  (through the death or disibility of a loved one perhaps) might better explain the realities through their own adversity and courage. Reality rules there unfortunately.

rob 6578

you are sadly probably right about the tax revenue

floella

with all due respect, you are making the argument of an addict in denial.  Of course cars pollute, maim, kill etc, like many other pollutants, and dangerous activity, but surely we have to face up to what we can do, not what we would like to do in an ideal world? Why not face the facts?, smoking is ruining your health as it is all smokers and worse still you stand the chance of killing others, and all because you chose to smoke!   All the other pollutants across the world are subjects of much debate, and of course they are wrong, but they are part of our every day needs, like them or not, but smoking is not a need unless you make that choice?

ads

yes, I think education is the only way apart from higher tax. Addiction is a terrible thing, and robs people of logic and common sense when making the right choice.

An addict, yes goodstich. In denial,no. 

To me it is the relaxent that others find in alcohol , Neither are healthy habits and both a drain on the health service but whilst they are legal people should only advise not tell others how to live their lives. 

This prompts another debate about why we need relaxants in the first place and maybe pressured lifestyles are the route cause of all of this...... better not go there however as we would need to change the Western World.

Think we've all lost the plot somewhere along the way!!

p.s. Floella is this an addiction you would like to kick or are you happy with your lot?

ads

I think by definition, an addict is in denial and will often justify their actions by whatever means. Comparison of  the damage alchohol in moderation to smoking causes is an often used and good example.  The opposite is true. Small amounts of wine/beer can actually have health benefits.

Of course ads, but admit more from the financial aspect, but am concerned that like most people with an addictive personality I shall just swap one addiction for another.

To old now to expend my energies into more physical pursuits and personally think that  imbibing in alcohol especially when driving is necessary ( even in small quantities that is supposedly good for ones health  ),  is potentially the more dangerous with regards to others.

Goodstich, you are correct.  Addicts are always in denial. However addiction comes in many guises and most people are addicted to something. I have confessed to mine so perhaps another thread where people can address theirs might be appropriate

i thought the post was originally about whether Spain will ban smoking inside?

Not, as it always turns into whether is it good for you or not........

I am trying not to post as this tired subject just goes around and around....

If people chooose to smoke they know the risks,if they want to go to somewhere where other smokers enjoy a drink then why not,they know the risks.

If there are plenty of bars where non smokers can go and talk about how filthy a habit it is then fair play,there are plenty of non smoking bars in this area.

I smoke,i know the risks,i never smoke in close proximity to my children or anyones,i generally smoke outside the bar,i don't smoke in the house nor in restaraunts etc etc.......

Yes  I am an addict but whats it got to do with anyone else....it hasn't!...when i want to quit i will...in fact i will quit the minute certain members stop posting drivel...

So if you don't smoke,well done,now find something meaningful to moan about,i Keep my habit to myself,please keep your opinions about me to yours.

I admire your honesty Floella but please can I suggest that you channel some of your remaining energy into encouraging youngsters not to follow in your footsteps! All too often your example is being mimicked by youngsters who feel it's cool to indulge. If only they knew that it's not cool to be susceptible to horrendous medical conditions that can disable and kill.

ads, I think you are being unfair towards floella now.  If you want to have a go at someone you should really target it at the manufacturers.  That's where it all starts.

Anyway, I agree with georgia, this thread has totally gone off course and there is no point debating the rights and wrongs of smoking, it's to discuss the new law in Spain.

Let's try and get it back on track or not post any more on the subject.

Justin

Apologies to Floella then as that was definitely not my intention.

It just touched a raw nerve with me having witnessed the devastating effects of smoking firsthand.

Sorry Floella (and Justin).

Justin

well I guess we should be glad it's a move in the right direction. Like animal cruelty in Spain, now that bull fighting has been banned in some cities, it sends out a message that it's wrong, however traditional to inflict cruelty to animals for pleasure???

I'm sure many will ignore the smoking ban for some of the reasons from smokers on this thread, but if it stops a few lives being ruined, and many more people suffering the health /smell/cost problems then it will be well worth it.

Good for Spain I say.  Let's hope common sense catches on in the other area's we know about!!

ads, kind of you to apologise ,but although I am neither wrinkly with grey skin and yellow teeth and fingers, perhaps smoking has made my skin like rhino horn because I didn't take the comment personally. Actually agree but then children mimic other potentially unhealthy behaviour as well.  Would never  personally encourage anyone to smoke and do refer to it as a horrid habit ,wish I had never started, but sorry peeps giving up is not an option for now because it is something I enjoy . 

So my final post on this subject.  As someone who would never smoke indoors anyway I don't see why Spain should have any major problems apart from the fact that the Spanish seem to believe rules are there to be ignored !! 

 I think the Spanish believing that rules are there to be ignored has long been an appeal of Spain, with many feeling the UK is strangled by rules and 'big' brother' or 'nanny state'  regulation. I  felt that for years, and I think it's only when you either live there or experience a few years of the legal/justice system, you realise there's quite a price to pay for that attitude that it is sooooo frustrating when you need the rules to be adhered to in a reasonable time frame.

Can't have it all ways, but things are changing in Spain, and the fact people are starting to care about health (human and animal) as well as other often reported issues is a positive move I feel, but will no doubt be at the cost of some of the old 'don't give a stuff ' attitude, which is great !........, but only when it works for you!!

Came across this today; it seemed so apt I couldn't help sharing it:

Isn't having a smoking section in a restaurant like having a peeing section in a swimming pool?

mike_walsh

oh I love that!, really funny but sadly pretty true as well. It just doesn't  work does it.  The smokers section really  needs to be airtight with a message on the outside saying something like 'non smokers please don't enter, this will ruin your health, danger of death!'

ha-ha or is it jejeje  ?  Yes, that little question said more than a million words on the matter. I rest my case, my lord!

This directive is directed at the general public but as usual posts are directed at individuals and in many cases cause offence, intended or not.

This causes members stress who then may have to resort to having a fag to calm down.

Be critical of smoking in public but not of individuals who smoke.

Vote with you feet instead of your mouth if places are smokey go elsewhere or even stay at home and think of other subjects to whinge about. 

vilprano

are you sure you're not a closet pool pee'er?

Goodstitch,

Definately not I was brought up with the definition of a gentleman is someone that gets out of the bath to have a pee.

have to stitch up someone else with that.