Agreed there are a lot more important issues to be delt with, number one in my book is the rampent waste of goverment departments. These require effort and risk alienating a large number of voters so a softer option is to deal with basically very minor issues smoking, fox hunting etc none of which are real vote losers but grab the headlines.

They are trying to en-courage voting, but whats the point when it clearly doesn't get anywhere. Again, another prime example of the public Vs Government, and yet again, another prime example of the public being ignored....

Also...

If the ban causes a reduction in the sale of tobacco products then unfortunately all of our taxes are going to go up. What is to stop it? Cause tax on tobacco products are a very high source of revenue for the government, and as non-smokers want a non smoking enviroment, does that mean all you non-smokers are happy to pay the extra taxes that the government WILL force?

Meanwhile smokers shouldn't have to pay the extra taxes, as they are the ones still buying the fags, supplying the revenue, yet have to stand outside still????

But can you see this happening?? Non smokers would be happy to do this? Yeah, right................

Clever thinking...........

No. The issue has been fudged for far too long. There's always something far more important. The question is, 'important to whom'?

Question is who will enforce any of these changes, the police, i can't see that somehow they are already overstretched as it is.

Smoking
 

The way I see it is that we live in a democracy - we all have to abide by a set of rules that the majority have voted in. At present, correct me if I'm wrong but I'm certain that there are now more non smokers in the UK than smokers. So, in a society where majority rules, it follows that the smokers will now have to suffer some discomfort, wheresa historically the non smokers have been suffering discomfort.

I don't believe that the drinking of alcohol is going to be banned/curtailed or anything drastic - however the behaviour of certain people after the consumption of this stuff is another issue.

Why should taxes go up? There'll be less smoking related illnesses in the future therefore there will be a reduction in the NHS bill (this money will be freed up for other illnesses).

Immigrants and the like are again another issue.

Personally, as an ex-smoker, I'm glad about the forthcoming ban because at least my kids will have a better chance of living in a smoke free atmosphere than I or most of us did - I don't want to see them coughing & spluttering and smelling of tobacco. We are finally waking up to the fact that it is an anti-social habit. When New York banned smoking in public places, yes - the bars/restaurants etc were quiet - now however business is on the rise again. These places are just going to have to 'manage' their way over the short term period until people start going out again.

I could add a bit more but might save a bit for spare later! :lol:

I think the only bars that are really going to lose out are the ones that are already no smoking. At the moment they've got a niche market once all the bars go the same way they'll have to find another way to compete.

As a smoker I can understand the reasons behind wanting a ban, just means I won't smoke or drink as much as I'll have to keep popping outside.

Re: Smoking
 

At last count the total taxes raised from tobacco sales topped 50 billion pounds, now that ammount compared to the total cost to the NHS for smoking related illness 28 billion leaves quite a shortfall + all mp's being right to55ers would add a bit extra to line their own coffers.

I'm a none smoker know but i don't think it is the issue that they are banning smoking, but more to the fact that people are unhappy with the fact that there right of choice has been taken away,

Yes none smokers don't like secondhand smoke but they have a choice to go somewhere else, but there are taking away the choice of the smoker, he can't go smoke somewhere else (other than privet property).

I see it as an infringement of our human right to choice.

that's my opinion anyway

What I find amusing is that the EU spends £50 million a year on anti smoking campaigns and spends £600 million on subsidies for tobacco farmers

So non-smokers who don't like smoky bars and coming home stinking like an ashtray can 'go somewhere else'. Pray tell, where? I don't know any non-smoking pubs that I can go to.

Your 'right to smoke' ends where my 'right to breathe' begins.