Posted By Nick House
Oh my, this is very entertaining.
I currently class myself as a smoker, although I am in the early stages of trying to quit, so can see the argument from both sides.
Even when I was smoking, when out socially I only tended to smoke where it was socially acceptable at the time - i.e. not in restaurants, etc.
Why is it that smokers will nearly always defend their right to smoke, often citing that it is their right to smoke wherever they like? Whatever anyone says, there is plenty of irrefutable proof that smoking is not good for you, and also that second hand smoke is not good for anyone either.
Yes, I understand why smokers often take the stand that seems prevalent on this thread, but if rational thought were put into practice, the argument would soon fall apart.
I also understand why non-smokers take the stand that they do, but again, their argument is often unnecessarily biased in their favour.
I have visited both Ireland and Scotland both pre and post legislation, and can honestly say that the bulk of people (smokers and non-smokers alike), are pretty happy with the situation in both countries. The only comment I would like to add is that pubs there often smell even more disgusting, as the smell of stale tobacco is now replaced by the smell of stale beer in the carpets...
In a so called democratic society, why is it that people find it so difficult to accept cultural change? Let's face it, as has already been posted here, whether you like it or not, smoking is fast becoming socially unacceptable, not just here in the UK, but on a global scale.
Also, those who still stick to saying that smoking is not really as harmful as the experts say, I can only say wake up and smell the coffee!