Ireland bands smoking in the Pubs!

[BVS]

Bonoman, HipHop

 

[Angela Harlem]

I don't think it can be argued that wife abuse, rape or child abuse is directly related to alcohol in the same way lung cancer is directly related to second hand smoke.

I think there are larger issues at work in the examples you gave, it's not simply an issue of alcohol. Alcohol may be a catalyst, but removing it would not resolve the issues.

A bad comparison indeed.

Some of these, but not all are somewhat bad comparisons. I dont think bonoman would disagree. There is though an issue directly related to alcohol itself with no bigger picture issues, like drunk driving, random accidents from foolish behaviour, and the simple fact that alcohol can and does break up families. It is as addictive and dangerous as many other drugs and it in itself is a major cause of just as many health problems.

Personally, I couldnt really care less if smoking was banned everywhere. I think its stupid, and definitely hypocritical as I cant honestly imagine everyone who disagrees with smoking in pubs never eats fast food, never throws down a few drinks here and there, religiously sticks to the exercise 3-5 times a week rule and doesn't set foot inside a poluted dirty city inhaling all the fumes. Please. It is as much about health issues as my arse. It has to be fundamentally the smell which pisses everyone off. And that is ok, because cigarettes stink. But health reasons, no way. When we see worldwide bans on McDonalds and Guinness then I will see a point.

Besides which, beer stinks. And McDonalds restaurants (oxymoron of the day) reek like shit too. We dont outlaw them. Though we should if we want to be fair about all this.

 

[hiphop]

Some of these, but not all are somewhat bad comparisons. I dont think bonoman would disagree. There is though an issue directly related to alcohol itself with no bigger picture issues, like drunk driving, random accidents from foolish behaviour, and the simple fact that alcohol can and does break up families. It is as addictive and dangerous as many other drugs and it in itself is a major cause of just as many health problems.

Personally, I couldnt really care less if smoking was banned everywhere. I think its stupid, and definitely hypocritical as I cant honestly imagine everyone who disagrees with smoking in pubs never eats fast food, never throws down a few drinks here and there, religiously sticks to the exercise 3-5 times a week rule and doesn't set foot inside a poluted dirty city inhaling all the fumes. Please. It is as much about health issues as my arse. It has to be fundamentally the smell which pisses everyone off. And that is ok, because cigarettes stink. But health reasons, no way. When we see worldwide bans on McDonalds and Guinness then I will see a point.

Besides which, beer stinks. And McDonalds restaurants (oxymoron of the day) reek like shit too. We dont outlaw them. Though we should if we want to be fair about all this.

Triple +++ Angela Harlem. McDonalds stinks like shit and should be banned.

 

[Laura M]

I don't think this smoking ban is going to have a huge effect on the bars, people will get used to it or if they are really desperate to smoke when they have a pint they can always come up to the North.
Anyway lots of pubs in the south have made bar gardens which enable people to go outside and smoke whilst drinking, this will surely attract the punters
So people will still be able to smoke, people get to drink in a smoke free environment which I see as a good thing I hate going out to the pub, the smoke irritates my eyes and I always look like an idiot with 2 pink eyes for the rest of the weekend. I don't see the big deal, if people are so desperate to smoke they can stand outside.

 

[Dorian Gray]

The entire arguement that smoking kills and that this is for health reasons is bullshit, ask yourself if government were so concerned about health reason then why are smokes not banned in your country? Oh thats right, money, taxes. I pay 10$ CDN for a pack of smokes. $6.50 of that is federal tax! Did you know that? Maybe that the reason that smokes havent been banned, they want it both ways, they love our money but at the same time take away our freedoms.

What is next, not being allowed to smoke in your house? Our not being allowed to smoke in your car? There have been laws prohibiting smoking off public streets!

Doesnt anyone see the hipocracy of it all. All the non smokers here havent said a peep about getting rid of smokes all together, why, maybe because we are free to act as we like? But like to turn around and put smokers into a second class.

The people that complain they hate the bars because they are smokey and you smell like smoke, why are you still going to these bars? I dont understand it? Oh thats right, you'll accept the hardship of having to deal with something that discomforts you for plesure, well thats the only reason i can come up with. So now what you have done is put smokers into the same spot. When a smoker now goes to a bar they are put through the discomfort of having to go outside, into say -20C weather.

There has never been any comprimise brought forward. Like for example, has anyone here been into a casino, or a bar that has PROPER ventalation? If you have you will know the difference between a bar without and a bar with. Has anyone ever considered opening a bar for non-smokers? Obviously it is a great idea, since there are so many that hate smoking out there. Ya, i've seen places like that come and go, but i guess thats besides the point.

Bonoman, I understand why this bugs you man, but just think about it.
We know this is hypocrisy in a sense, but I wouldn't think it very fair of the government to step in and say that it's illegal to smoke, that would be stupid. It's your right to do what you want. However, it's when this imposes on the welfare of the greater majority that it becomes a problem. Smoke in a contained environment, ventilated or not, is bad for those in that environment. You can't deny this.

The health-reasons behind this enforcement are not bullshit. they're fact. irregardless of the government's hypocrisy, the greater public is still affected by second-hand smoke. Simple fact is, there are a greater number of non-smokers than smokers. It is unjust to impose on the rights of non-smokers to clean air in a public building.

 

[hiphop]

Then what about the pollution by traffic, Dorian Gray?

 

[Dorian Gray]

Then what about the pollution by traffic, Dorian Gray?

a huge problem.

were it economically, politically, and socially viable to rid our world of traffic, then I'd support such a measure. this however, is neither realistic, nor possible.

smoking is a problem of completely different proportions.

 

[hiphop]

but it is economically, politically and socially viable to reduce a large amount of private traffic in big cities. it?s also realistic and possible. don?t you think so?

 

[Laura M]

What has this got to do with the smoking ban in Ireland anyway?

but it is economically, politically and socially viable to reduce a large amount of private traffic in big cities. it?s also realistic and possible. don?t you think so?

I thought lots of cities are undertaking measures to reduce the amount of private traffic in certain areas.

 

[Dorian Gray]

but it is economically, politically and socially viable to reduce a large amount of private traffic in big cities. it?s also realistic and possible. don?t you think so?

the traffic issue is a good point. You might be interested in reading this: http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993681

But I'm not sure your point. Is it really hypocritical that cars haven't been banned in public places? Efforts are made to reduce polution... Health officials advocate carpooling, taking public transport, etc. But I think that we can both admit that an attempt to ban all private traffic, while possible, could never happen. People would probably riot.

 

[Salome]

It is as much about health issues as my arse.

 

[bonoman]

I understand smoking is bad. I make the effort to not smoke around non-smokers. I'm not someone who is going to blow smoke in your face nor am i someone who will smoke if not allowed, in private homes, cars etc.

But to me it the fundamental point of being a free business and being up to the business owner. We live in capitalistic societies and have free enterprises, smoking should be left up to business owners.

I know smoking will become something of a underground thing in 10-20years. Its a fact i understand. And I like most smokers would quit tommorrow if we could. But it's hard. This might helps but not at the expense of business owners right to run their establishments the way they like. Eventually smoking would slowly be weeded out of bars, because the market would demand it, sure there would still be smoking bars but the majority wouldnt be smoking.

I understand everyone compnalints about smoking, i even hate the bleedin things, but i hope you understand the rights owners are losing and how gov't are dictating how to run their business's.

 

[Dorian Gray]

I understand smoking is bad. I make the effort to not smoke around non-smokers. I'm not someone who is going to blow smoke in your face nor am i someone who will smoke if not allowed, in private homes, cars etc.

But to me it the fundamental point of being a free business and being up to the business owner. We live in capitalistic societies and have free enterprises, smoking should be left up to business owners.

I know smoking will become something of a underground thing in 10-20years. Its a fact i understand. And I like most smokers would quit tommorrow if we could. But it's hard. This might helps but not at the expense of business owners right to run their establishments the way they like. Eventually smoking would slowly be weeded out of bars, because the market would demand it, sure there would still be smoking bars but the majority wouldnt be smoking.

I understand everyone compnalints about smoking, i even hate the bleedin things, but i hope you understand the rights owners are losing and how gov't are dictating how to run their business's.

fair enough. this is probably the strongest arguement anyone could make against the ban...

 

[nbcrusader]

But to me it the fundamental point of being a free business and being up to the business owner. We live in capitalistic societies and have free enterprises, smoking should be left up to business owners.

Businesses are far from being "free". A smoking ban is only one of dozens and dozens of regulations that chip away at the "freedom" of a business owner.

 

[STING2]

(04-07-2004) Bono In Irish Pub Smoking Drama - The Irish Star*


BONO U2 CANNOT SMOKE IN DUBLIN PUBS.

U2's frontman Bono was caught smoking on Saturday afternoon in Searsons of Baggot Street. Bono who only visited the pub to watch the Aintree Grand National was seen smirking as he lit up a smoke in the company of friends including The Edge. A spokesperson for the pub said that Bono indeed visited the pub for a few drinks on Saturday afternoon however they would not
comment on Bono lightling up all they could say was that there was no complaints by the public about anyone smoking on our premises.

If the U2 Frontman has indeed broke the new Irish law banning smoking in all workplaces he could be fined in excess of ?3000. The new laws which were introduced just over a week ago have been a resounding success in Ireland which is the first country to ban smoking outright from all workplaces which will include trucks, vans, company cars, offices, pubs, restaurants.

 

[iacrobat]

Some of these, but not all are somewhat bad comparisons. I dont think bonoman would disagree. There is though an issue directly related to alcohol itself with no bigger picture issues, like drunk driving, random accidents from foolish behaviour, and the simple fact that alcohol can and does break up families. It is as addictive and dangerous as many other drugs and it in itself is a major cause of just as many health problems.

Personally, I couldnt really care less if smoking was banned everywhere. I think its stupid, and definitely hypocritical as I cant honestly imagine everyone who disagrees with smoking in pubs never eats fast food, never throws down a few drinks here and there, religiously sticks to the exercise 3-5 times a week rule and doesn't set foot inside a poluted dirty city inhaling all the fumes. Please. It is as much about health issues as my arse. It has to be fundamentally the smell which pisses everyone off. And that is ok, because cigarettes stink. But health reasons, no way. When we see worldwide bans on McDonalds and Guinness then I will see a point.

Besides which, beer stinks. And McDonalds restaurants (oxymoron of the day) reek like shit too. We dont outlaw them. Though we should if we want to be fair about all this.

Yes, they are bad comparisons. I would never argue that alcohol doesn't cause problems. However, comparing those stated with second hand smoke don't fly.

But Angela, why one extreme or the other? Most people are hypocritical and live with contradictions, so why expect more from the government? Do what you can with what you have. Second hand smoke is bad, banning is a step in the right direction. I am also for banning every type of fast food, but it won't happen any time soon.

As for banning cars, I love the idea, but we are not ready for it. It has to be introduced slowly and intelligently. How many years would it take to implement this in any given city? 10 or 20?

The smell does suck big time. Though I don't recall waking up the next day after being out and thinking that I stink like Guiness.

NB is right as well. Of course a bar owner will allow smoking because there are no incentives not to.

 

[babble]

Honestly some of the "arguments" against a ban on cigarette smoke in this thread remind me of the arguments I used as a kid when told I had to clean my room. I'd immediately start pointing my finger at my siblings and saying they needed to clean theirs as well, as though pointing out this fact detracted from the need for me to clean mine.

Acknowleding all the other health threats in this world that aren't currently banned does not invalidate the need to protect people from the noxious, posionous pollution known as cigarette smoke. Surely you all are aware of the deadliness of second-hand smoke?

In case you are not so informed, here are some facts from the Center for Disease Control website.

Health Effects

Secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer and coronary heart disease in nonsmoking adults.1,2,4 Secondhand smoke is a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).2,4

Because their lungs are not fully developed, young children are particularly susceptible to secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia in young children.1,5

Current Estimates

An estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 coronary heart disease deaths occur annually among adult nonsmokers in the United States as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke.6

Each year, secondhand smoke is associated with an estimated 8,000?26,000 new asthma cases in children.4 Annually an estimated 150,000?300,000 new cases of bronchitis and pneumonia in children aged less than 18 months (7,500?15,000 of which will require hospitalization) are associated with secondhand smoke exposure in the United States.4

Approximately 60% of people in the United States have biological evidence of secondhand smoke exposure.7

Among children aged less than 18 years, an estimated 22% are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes, with estimates ranging from 11.7% in Utah to 34.2% in Kentucky.8

Simply put, when you smoke, you not only physically harm yourself, but of everyone around you. No one should have the right to hurt some one else. With these facts in mind, why would you be against a ban on smoking in a public environment?

 

[Liesje]

With these facts in mind, why would you be against a ban on smoking in a public environment?

Exactly what I've been asking all along....someone enlighten us please....

 

[babble]

Personally, I couldnt really care less if smoking was banned everywhere. I think its stupid, and definitely hypocritical as I cant honestly imagine everyone who disagrees with smoking in pubs never eats fast food, never throws down a few drinks here and there, religiously sticks to the exercise 3-5 times a week rule and doesn't set foot inside a poluted dirty city inhaling all the fumes. Please. It is as much about health issues as my arse. It has to be fundamentally the smell which pisses everyone off. And that is ok, because cigarettes stink. But health reasons, no way. When we see worldwide bans on McDonalds and Guinness then I will see a point. Besides which, beer stinks. And McDonalds restaurants (oxymoron of the day) reek like shit too. We dont outlaw them. Though we should if we want to be fair about all this.

With this form of logic, one could say that Bono has no right speaking out against the pollution caused by Sellafield or Chernobyl as he lights up and pollutes the air around him with posionous cigarette smoke.

 

[Angela Harlem]

Yes exactly babble, yet no one is telling him to stop are they?

Same thing iacrobat. Why pick one problem and not all? Its not the only danger.

 

[bonoman]

Then ban the fuckin things!

I have no problems with banning smokes sales.

Is everyone here for banning smokes altogether? Please say yes. Oh but the gov't would never do that because of the taxes it generates.

It kills everyone, why are our gov't still selling them? WHY?

It's something i cant get over.

Everyone of the arguements againist smoking are valid, but if you are an adult you are making that choice to knowingly enter a place with smoke, much you would be making the decision to smoke. I dont see the diference. It all about choices, lifes about choices, smoking and non smoking are about choices, exposing yourself to second hand smoke is a choce.

All the reasson to CDC lists as the detraments of second hand smoke are right, but your gov'ts continue to sell them!!!

They want the cake and eat it to. Its wrong. Ban smokes for good!

 

[babble]

Yes exactly babble, yet no one is telling him to stop are they?

Same thing iacrobat. Why pick one problem and not all? Its not the only danger.

I'm not sure you quite understood the point I was making with that last post (or maybe I'm not understanding you?)

The point I was trying to make with the comparison is that hypocritical actions do not negate the truth of the cause one is fighting for. Or in other words, just because someone may eat a Big-Mac every day and never excercise, does not mean that their fighting for the right to breathe clean air is any less of a worthy cause.

Yes, second-hand cigarette smoke isn't the only danger, but do you really believe that we need to tackle all problems at once, or not at all, in order to be fair? And who exactly are we trying to be fair to?

 

[Kieran McConville]

Ban smoking altogether? What a laugh. Say hello to a massive underground market should that happen.

Or do you think people will just quit like good little drones?

That's the trouble with sweeping generalisations.

 

[Salome]

It kills everyone, why are our gov't still selling them? WHY?

I actually don't think that is true

if you really enjoy a smoke and you are able to do it in moderation (key word) then it isn't bad for you
as far as I'm aware there are even scientists who state that anything that gives you pleasure (again, in moderation) in the end is beneficial to your health

I don't think 3 cigarettes a day or whatever (I don't smoke so don't ask me) will cause you long cancer
and if you feel miserable withot them you're better off smoking


if second hand smoking indeed causes more health issues than alcohol related incidents or pollution because of automobiles then it makes sense to attack this issue first

now it seems like it's a bit of a random action aimed at a group that (compared to the automobile industry for example) arent that important to the government anyway

 

[Mullen-Girl]

LOL Bono...He's got some balls lol

And here in Maryland with the pollution of cars and stuff we have to get ours checked every 2 years and actually... I went to get mine done last week and it like failed LOL but I have to get it fixed within 6 months or I can't drive my car.

 

[iacrobat]

Yes exactly babble, yet no one is telling him to stop are they?

Same thing iacrobat. Why pick one problem and not all? Its not the only danger.

I think I answered that in my last post.

You pick one problem because you can, it's viable, like I said, do what you can with what you have.

Angela, you are still arguing extremes.

And Bonoman, don't give me this BS about CHOOSING to breathe second hand smoke. What choice do I have when there is second hand smoke in every bar? And please don't tell me to open my own bar.

Banning smoking in bars is not a perfect solution, but I think its a good compromise.

 

[nbcrusader]

Yes exactly babble, yet no one is telling him to stop are they?

Same thing iacrobat. Why pick one problem and not all? Its not the only danger.

The "you can't address one unless you address them all" argument does not make sense.

Since we do not have unlimited resources, we are always forced to select the issues and matters we address.

There are many personal activities that create a danger to self and others. We cannot ban or control them all. It is perfectly reasonable to select smoking as the issue to address today.

 

[nbcrusader]

Is everyone here for banning smokes altogether? Please say yes. Oh but the gov't would never do that because of the taxes it generates.

It kills everyone, why are our gov't still selling them? WHY?

Ban sales, hell our government still subsidizes the production of tobacco! It is the classic paradox of government wasting money on both sides of an issue.

 

[Liesje]

I don't think 3 cigarettes a day or whatever (I don't smoke so don't ask me) will cause you long cancer
and if you feel miserable withot them you're better off smoking

ONE smoke a day is bad for you, that's all it takes.

 

[iacrobat]

On a side note, because it has come up in this thread, I saw this in the Toronto Star. The Ontario provincial government wants to tax fast food.

[Q]More sales tax on your burger?
Fast food to get 8% provincial levy

Food industry opposes move

CAROLINE MALLAN
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF

The Ontario government is getting ready to slap its sales tax on fast food and other cheap restaurant meals.

The restaurant industry says it has been told to expect the addition of the 8 per cent tax to meals under $4 in next month's provincial budget.

A Liberal source said a "fat tax" on junk food such as hamburgers and fries is in keeping with a strategy of curbing escalating health-care costs and adolescent obesity rates.

The provincial sales tax already applies to restaurant meals over $4.

The 7 per cent federal goods and services tax applies to all restaurant meals.

The industry, which includes fast-food giants such as McDonald's and Burger King, says small businesses such as ice cream stands and school cafeterias will be hardest hit by the new tax on meals $4 or less.

"These are mom and pop shops that we're talking about; they represent 63 per cent of our members," said Terry Mundell, president of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association.

The association will launch an advertising campaign on Wednesday to oppose the move, which the government estimates will bring in $200 million more a year.

Mundell said the industry estimates the new tax will cost the industry $214 million, which will translate into lost jobs and less corporate tax money in government coffers.

He added that poorer Ontarians who stop at a doughnut shop for a sandwich, an apple and a milk at lunch will be paying an extra tax.

"The bigger picture here is you are penalizing those who can least afford it," he said.

The industry is arguing it has already been hard hit by government policy this year because of an increase in the minimum wage, the lifting of the cap on business property taxes, the scrapping of a planned capital tax cut and higher hydro rates.

The Liberals are grappling with a projected $5.6 billion deficit. [/Q]