Hurrah!

[susannahf]

The smoking ban has made it through! And in its most strict form!

story from BBC newsI really couldn't be happier. While I understand that some smokers feel they have to enjoy a cigarette in the pub, I feel I also have a right to go out for a drink without risking an asthma attack (even non-smoking areas are often sufficiently smoky for me to be

Comments

[johnckirk]

Excellent - that is good news :) Although I was slightly concerned about the line "expected to take effect in summer 2007" - does that mean that it may happen sooner, or just "Well, you've got a year or two to implement this, give or take..."? Hopefully the next step will be to bring in a ban in outdoor places, e.g. bus stops.

Mind you, I doubt that I'm going to rush off to nightclubs any time soon :)

[pozorvlak]

While I greatly look forward to a smoke-free pub experience (and we're getting it much sooner in Scotland), I'm a bit worried about the boom in outdoor heater things we're currently experiencing, to provide a less-miserable environment for the huddled nicotine addicts outside. Attempting to heat the outdoors at our latitude == t3h 3v1l. But then smoking is t3h 3v1l too, and smoking on dancefloors (and waving lit cigarettes about at eye/waist level) is quite simply a crime against all that is decent and good.

Also, a total ban is a Really Bad Idea - see Prohibition USA for why.

[susannahf]

Yes - I suspect I will now be able to go to pubs, but only indoors. Meh - it's better than the status quo.

Absolutely with you on prohibition. If people want to screw their lungs, that's their choice, I'd just rather they left mine in peace.

[elvum]

What would your opinion have been of a compromise whereby pubs can have dedicated enclosed smoking rooms, separated from the bar area and other facilities?

[susannahf]

Not a problem. So long as they are enclosed, enforced and don't ventilate into the other areas.

In fact, I think that might work even better at getting people to give up by effectively locking smokers away - and so preventing them from interacting with the rest of the pub