The smoking ban in public places comes into force on July 1st 2007, prohibiting everyone from smoking in any public area.... proposals are afoot to ban smoking OUTSIDE bars and resteaurants as well as INSIDE them, as well as a ban on smoking on train platforms, outside places of work, bus shelters and bar terraces.

 

All very well and good for the 60% of non-smokers in the UK.... BUT... how do people feel about the House of Commons bar - which is EXEMPT from this ban?

 

Westminster is exempt as it is classed as a Royal Palace. There have been a couple of Early Day Motions submitted by MPs asking that the ban is extended to include the smoking room at Westminster, suggesting that at least a few MPs are uncomfortable with this double standard.

 

Shouldn't the public DEMAND that if the MPs deem smoking so heinous and unhealthy and unpalatable - that THEY, for once, lead by example?

 

To allow smoking in their FREE bar - totally, utterly unacceptable - and I think every one of us here should let our MPs know that this is the case.

They should practice what they preach, the ****ers :smoke:

Its great news I will be able to go to a pub again ^_^

 

And it is great news I do not have to breathe in selfish peoples filth when I am in shopping mall and railway station

What c**ts, I was pissed off before about it and this is a whole lot worse. :angry:

Its great news I will be able to go to a pub again ^_^

 

And it is great news I do not have to breathe in selfish peoples filth when I am in shopping mall and railway station

 

well I have to breathe the same air as 'selfish people's filth' (ie...their children) when I go to restaurants, sit on trains or go to a shopping mall - and I find kids FAR more annoying a danger to my health and sanity than a few stray puffs of smoke from a random smoker.

 

Let's bring in 'banning kids', please - then I'll be ecstatic.

 

And as for going to the pub 'again'...err... does this mean that when you were younger you DID go to pubs, regardless of the 'filth', that you weren't so uptight, morally judgmental and up your own sphincter at that point?

 

And as for going to the pub 'again'...err... does this mean that when you were younger you DID go to pubs, regardless of the 'filth', that you weren't so uptight, morally judgmental and up your own sphincter at that point?

 

:lol: :lol:

 

Well put mate.. I think it's totally out of order and just so typical of the hypocrisy of MPs really... As you say, 'Practice What You Preach'... I mean, if that's the case, then the law shouldn't apply to Private Members clubs either...

 

And speaking as a non-smoker, I have no real issues with folks smoking in bars or clubs.. Sometimes I just say 'fukk it' and join in if someone offers me one..... :P

 

well I have to breathe the same air as 'selfish people's filth' (ie...their children) when I go to restaurants, sit on trains or go to a shopping mall - and I find kids FAR more annoying a danger to my health and sanity than a few stray puffs of smoke from a random smoker.

 

Let's bring in 'banning kids', please - then I'll be ecstatic.

 

And as for going to the pub 'again'...err... does this mean that when you were younger you DID go to pubs, regardless of the 'filth', that you weren't so uptight, morally judgmental and up your own sphincter at that point?

 

I started smoking cigarettes in my teens and gave up when I was 30 so I am an ex smoker, I gave up because I saw the effect lung cancer had on someone very very important in my life and I saw how much they suffered so almost overnight I went from 20 a day smoker to anti smoking extremist

I love the smoking ban! It's great being able to breathe again in pubs and not having all your clothes stinking of a stale ashtray. And for the first time in years one of my good friends (who has severe asthma) is actually able to come out and socialise with the rest of us.

 

I was on holiday in England this year and found it really weird having to breathe in smoke again in cafes and bars.

i dont agree with banning smoking OUTDOORS, thats going too far... and the commons lounge certainly should NOT be exempt.

well I have to breathe the same air as 'selfish people's filth' (ie...their children) when I go to restaurants, sit on trains or go to a shopping mall - and I find kids FAR more annoying a danger to my health and sanity than a few stray puffs of smoke from a random smoker.

 

 

 

thats bollox m8..... so where are the wards full of people suffering the effect of 'other peoples kids'.... im surprised that YOU of all people are so intollerant..... and a night in a pub certainly ISNT a case of 'a few stray puffs', its a constant invasion of my body that i dont want.

but Rob - 90% of bars/clubs have smoking and non smoking areas which seem to suit everyone rather well.... and considering in most bars, the non-smokers, like it or not, are in the MINORITY.....

 

and as for kids in public places, especially on public transport and ESPECIALLY restaurants - oh, don't get me started..... :angry:

well I have to breathe the same air as 'selfish people's filth' (ie...their children) when I go to restaurants, sit on trains or go to a shopping mall - and I find kids FAR more annoying a danger to my health and sanity than a few stray puffs of smoke from a random smoker.

 

 

 

hmmm not the most well thought out argument ..... kids may be annoying but don't cause cancer!!!!

 

Pity the kids ban wasn't about when you were a child eh - or were you not annoying???

 

 

oh and the ban is on PUBLIC places ....... the members bar in the House of Commons is not a PUBLIC place :rolleyes:

oh and for the record - I think smoking is a selfish, disgusting habit - it is indefensible on all levels!!

 

Yes you are free to smoke - but I don't want to share your smoke AND I don't want such high taxes to pay for you medical attention when it kills you slowly and painfully.

 

 

but Rob - 90% of bars/clubs have smoking and non smoking areas which seem to suit everyone rather well.... and considering in most bars, the non-smokers, like it or not, are in the MINORITY.....

 

 

 

sooo... smoke DOESNT travel from 1 area to another!.... fpmsl.

 

 

smokers can smoke themselves into oblivion... their choice, just dont involve me!

Not a good idea that MP's should be the exception. How do they justify that?

 

well we have had the ban in Scotland since March,and on the whole it seems to be working,although it is funny to see 3 or 4 smokers congregated at the entrance to pubs, wil be interesting to see how the Dec/Jan weather affects them.

hmmm not the most well thought out argument ..... kids may be annoying but don't cause cancer!!!!

 

Pity the kids ban wasn't about when you were a child eh - or were you not annoying???

oh and the ban is on PUBLIC places ....... the members bar in the House of Commons is not a PUBLIC place :rolleyes:

 

It's not the kids themselves that are the problem, it is the parents' seeming total inability to actually control them... Sorry, but if I bloody well acted up the way some of these kids do, I'd've got a bloody thick ear off my mum or dad... Oh, but of course, cant do that now can you...? You're infringing their 'human rights' if you do that..... <_< Perhaps the comparison to smoking is a bit off the mark but essentially Russ makes a pretty good point.. And if you do actually go up to the parents and complain about their little brats oops, sorry, darlings, you get a mouthful of pig-ignorant abuse more often than not....

 

And the last time I looked about this 'smoking ban', it did actually include Private Members clubs as well.. The House of Commons bar would likely count as a 'Private Members Club' as it caters specifically for MPs.. So, it should definitely NOT be exempted... Or shouldn't the people who work in that bar have the same rights to 'pure air' as someone working down the "Dog and Duck"...? It's a double standard no matter how you cut it, the lawmakers are not playing by their own rules, it's not on mate, and they wonder why the country has no respect for Politicians...

hmmm not the most well thought out argument ..... kids may be annoying but don't cause cancer!!!!

 

Pity the kids ban wasn't about when you were a child eh - or were you not annoying???

oh and the ban is on PUBLIC places ....... the members bar in the House of Commons is not a PUBLIC place :rolleyes:

 

err... the ban extends to PRIVATE MEMBERS CLUBS, too, not just PUBLIC ones - you should maybe check the facts before you put all your effort into sarcasm? Thank you.

 

And as for kids - it's maybe parents who have little or no interest or control over their kids in public I find most distasteful. And when I was a child I was well behaved - it's how I was brought up and respect for others - especially others' space - is paramount and something that was instilled into me from a young age - such a shame more parents seem unable to teach their kids the same these days.

Yes you are free to smoke - but I don't want to share your smoke AND I don't want such high taxes to pay for you medical attention when it kills you slowly and painfully.

 

what piffle - I suggest you come up with some idea as to WHERE the treasury will find the £4 they get from EVERY packet of 20 fags sold in Britain if people decide to quit - FAR more than smokers (allegedly) cost the NHS per head.... will you be as pious when your taxes fly up through the roof (which they will)?

what piffle - I suggest you come up with some idea as to WHERE the treasury will find the £4 they get from EVERY packet of 20 fags sold in Britain if people decide to quit - FAR more than smokers (allegedly) cost the NHS per head.... will you be as pious when your taxes fly up through the roof (which they will)?

 

Exactly, let's face it, without the tax on fags and booze this country's economy will be in big trouble...