Light up for liberty: We should defend our choice to be allowed to smoke

[InOne]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2062226/Smoking-ban-cars-We-defend-choice-allowed-smoke.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Article about smoking in cars, and banning it :bored:

[Niamh.]

I can understand banning smoking in cars with children but your own private car is crazy imo

[Chuck]

Smokers are treated like villains that need to be extinct.

[arista]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2062226/Smoking-ban-cars-We-defend-choice-allowed-smoke.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Article about smoking in cars, and banning it :bored:



It will never come in.

They are Just Ideas



So No Panic Needed

[InOne]

It will never come in.

They are Just Ideas



So No Panic Needed

Well that's all good then :idc:

[Tom]

Smoking in cars shouldn't be banned (but anyone tries smoking in my car they'll get kicked out there and then even if I'm on the motorway doing 80mph) but it should be banned if you're driving. You're categorically not allowed to use mobiles because you've not got both hands free, and you can get prosecuted for eating, applying make up and other things where you don't have both hands free, although they're not explicitly illegal and it comes under careless driving. Why is smoking any different to that?

Smokers are treated like villains that need to be extinct.

But smokers also act like its in their human rights to smoke. Its not, its an addiction, its also a luxury. If it was up to me I'd ban it in public altogether, can't stand breathing in other peoples smoke who have no consideration for other people. Smokers also act like they're hard done by because they have to go outside in public places to smoke. So? Its their choice to smoke, if they don't want to go outside then quit.

[fruit_cake]

banning smoking in private places is way too far imo

[InOne]

Smoking in cars shouldn't be banned (but anyone tries smoking in my car they'll get kicked out there and then even if I'm on the motorway doing 80mph) but it should be banned if you're driving. You're categorically not allowed to use mobiles because you've not got both hands free, and you can get prosecuted for eating, applying make up and other things where you don't have both hands free, although they're not explicitly illegal and it comes under careless driving. Why is smoking any different to that?


But smokers also act like its in their human rights to smoke. Its not, its an addiction, its also a luxury. If it was up to me I'd ban it in public altogether, can't stand breathing in other peoples smoke who have no consideration for other people. Smokers also act like they're hard done by because they have to go outside in public places to smoke. So? Its their choice to smoke, if they don't want to go outside then quit.

Smoking is second nature to most people who do smoke so I doubt it's really that distracting. But with a phone you're actively being distracted reading a text or calling someone

[Stu]

I genuinly don't think smoking could possibly be distracting whilst driving. It's not like you have to look at it or anything to release the nicotine from it.

[Tom]

Smoking is second nature to most people who do smoke so I doubt it's really that distracting. But with a phone you're actively being distracted reading a text or calling someone

I genuinly don't think smoking could possibly be distracting whilst driving. It's not like you have to look at it or anything to release the nicotine from it.

Because you've only got 1 hand fully free. What if you suddenly need to brake, change gear or do a sharp steer unexpectedly? Its not distracting, its just dangerous. Its the same with anything that involves not having 2 free hands, and with other things like eating you can get fines and points for it.

[Bollo]

I don't smoke in cars so that doesn't bother me much. I have got used to smoking outside now in pubs etc, in fact most people are outside having a cig in the beer garden in the pubs I got to and all of my non-smoker friends come outside with us as well. It did freak me out when i was at a lock in the other night though and once all the doors were locked the landlord got out ashtrays and invited everyone to light up, I felt all nostalgic and a little bit naughty for smoking indoors!

[Stu]

You can still do all those things. It's not like your holding a plastic bag full of Mega Bloks.

[Tom]

You can still do all those things. It's not like your holding a plastic bag full of Mega Bloks.

Yeah because you've still got full control haven't you?

[Stu]

Well yeah. A cigarette doesn't obstruct steering. The left hand can be used for shifting gears. Breaking traditionally merits the use of legs.

[Tom]

Well yeah. A cigarette doesn't obstruct steering. The left hand can be used for shifting gears. Breaking traditionally merits the use of legs.

You quite obviously don't drive. Most of your grip on a steering wheel or gear stick comes from your thumb, index finger and middle finger. If you're changing gears with your left hand, what are you doing with your right hand? And braking does use the legs, but you need to hold onto the wheel when you're braking harshly because road friction can change your steering if you're not holding it properly.

You're not in full control. Simple as. I don't see how anyone can argue otherwise.

[Stu]

I have been in cars with plenty of people who smoke whilst they drive and I've never noticed anything off about their steering. I think you're accentuating the possible dangers. The wheel can be gripped just fine whilst holding a cigarette I imagine. There is also the option of putting it in your mouth for a bit. In an emergency situation the fag is hardly going to take precedence over someones life or even the cars welfare. It's not as if it's going to find a way to distract you.

It's just this ... little cylindrical thing that gradually kills you.

[Claymores]

I don't smoke in cars so that doesn't bother me much. I have got used to smoking outside now in pubs etc, in fact most people are outside having a cig in the beer garden in the pubs I got to and all of my non-smoker friends come outside with us as well. It did freak me out when i was at a lock in the other night though and once all the doors were locked the landlord got out ashtrays and invited everyone to light up, I felt all nostalgic and a little bit naughty for smoking indoors!

At my local they are slightly more 'cautious' after the doors are locked in that they just hand-out empty coke cans to flick yer ash into instead of proper ashtrays! :hugesmile:

As regards a smoking ban in cars, they'd really have to clarify if the reasons for any such legislation. The article seems to suggest it has been raised for health reasons (as in a car being an enclosed space). I see Tom is thinking of it more in terms of a driving distraction (I feel this is a weak argument as you still drive with 2 hands when smoking).

Silly thought - assuming it was brought-in due to health concerns (similar to the public buildings/workplaces legislation) but you are still allowed to smoke outside, then what happens in the case of convertibles????? Would I just have to lower the hood on my wee car to have a ciggy as for all intents and purposes I am out in the open air when I do that?! :joker:

[Claymores]

You quite obviously don't drive. Most of your grip on a steering wheel or gear stick comes from your thumb, index finger and middle finger. If you're changing gears with your left hand, what are you doing with your right hand? And braking does use the legs, but you need to hold onto the wheel when you're braking harshly because road friction can change your steering if you're not holding it properly.

You're not in full control. Simple as. I don't see how anyone can argue otherwise.

I don't get you at all - maybe us smokers are just freakishly telented but we can grip grip a streering wheel/change gears perfectly well using the hand that has the cigarette in it. I'm confused :conf2: I can only guess that you obviously don't smoke.

[Tom]

I have been in cars with plenty of people who smoke whilst they drive and I've never noticed anything off about their steering. I think you're accentuating the possible dangers. The wheel can be gripped just fine whilst holding a cigarette I imagine. There is also the option of putting it in your mouth for a bit. In an emergency situation the fag is hardly going to take precedence over someones life or even the cars welfare. It's not as if it's going to find a way to distract you.

I've been in cars with plenty of people who drive whilst on the phone and not noticed much difference in driving. Its the same kind of thing, one main hand in control etc and you can still have some grip like when you're smoking when needed. Being on the phone is just like talking to someone next to you and smoking, its no more or less distracting. But just because some people can do it doesn't mean everyone can.

If you don't look at possible dangers then you're never going to get anywhere in terms of safety because everything is only a possible danger and using that logic we could unpick almost anything.

It's just this ... little cylindrical thing that gradually kills you.

And you're in a tonne of metal that can kill you straight away, but "it will never happen to me".

[Stu]

Being on the phone is just like talking to someone next to you and smoking, its no more or less distracting.
Yeah I'm done.

[Shaun]

it's no more distracting than having a drinks holder. Daft.

[Tom]

Yeah I'm done.

Not gonna elaborate why you're done? You're having a conversation with something relatively small in your hand where you can still have control but not 100%.

it's no more distracting than having a drinks holder. Daft.

Depends where your drinks holder is!

[Stu]

A polo mint is something relatively small you inane creature. Stop making this constant comparison between phones and cigarettes. Try holding a phone up to your ear and see how much of your hand it commands. Now try holding a cigarette between your index and middle finger and see how much of your hand it takes up. That's my elaboration.

BUT THEY ARE BOTH TALKING AND WITH A THING IN YOUR HAND!

No. It's just a pointless, reckless, tapped comparison.

[Tom]

A polo mint is something relatively small you inane creature. Stop making this constant comparison between phones and cigarettes. Try holding a phone up to your ear and see how much of your hand it commands. Now try holding a cigarette between your index and middle finger and see how much of your hand it takes up. That's my elaboration.

BUT THEY ARE BOTH TALKING AND WITH A THING IN YOUR HAND!

No. It's just a pointless, reckless, tapped comparison.

If your hand is off the wheel or gear stick then it doesn't matter if you're holding a polo or a laptop. If you're holding a phone, you can still grip the wheel or gear stick, moreso if you hold it in a certain way. You just don't have full control.

Its not a constant comparison btw, I did it once out of a few posts then expanded on it in another :crazy:.

Nice that you have to resort to insults to get your point across though :joker:.

[InOne]

A cigarette doesn't distract you mentally though, phones do, concentration is on that and you're either looking at it to text or holding it up to your ear. And as someone mentioned they wanted to ban it for health reasons, not because lack of control on the wheel.

[Vicky.]

A cigarette doesn't distract you mentally though, phones do, concentration is on that and you're either looking at it to text or holding it up to your ear. And as someone mentioned they wanted to ban it for health reasons, not because lack of control on the wheel.

This is just daft IMO.

Those who smoke KNOW the health implications anyway. They should be allowed to smoke in their own car.

(Though I dont think people should be able to smoke in a car/enclosed space with children)

[InOne]

This is just daft IMO.

Those who smoke KNOW the health implications anyway. They should be allowed to smoke in their own car.

(Though I dont think people should be able to smoke in a car/enclosed space with children)

At the end of the day that's down to the parents. It shouldn't be forced. If they smoke in the car with the kids in and windows shut then they're obviously thinking of themselves first. I dunno why the Goverment think it has the right to force it though, it's just stupid.

[Tom]

A cigarette doesn't distract you mentally though, phones do, concentration is on that and you're either looking at it to text or holding it up to your ear. And as someone mentioned they wanted to ban it for health reasons, not because lack of control on the wheel.

Yeah but my point is let people smoke in their cars if they want (maybe exceptions if they've got kids in the back), its their own space and their own health. Smokers know all the risks and don't need the government to tell them. But if you're driving I don't think you should be allowed. Its not a direct distraction like most other things you can get fined for but its still a hinderance if you need to do something in an emergency. I don't believe you can have 100% control if you're smoking even if smokers say otherwise (but they'll be biased anyway, and I don't mean that in a bad way).

[Vicky.]

At the end of the day that's down to the parents. It shouldn't be forced. If they smoke in the car with the kids in and windows shut then they're obviously thinking of themselves first. I dunno why the Goverment think it has the right to force it though, it's just stupid.

Especially under the guise of it being all for peoples health. When if they were actually bothered about peoples health, they would just stop selling cigarettes :idc:

[InOne]

Yeah but my point is let people smoke in their cars if they want (maybe exceptions if they've got kids in the back), its their own space and their own health. Smokers know all the risks and don't need the government to tell them. But if you're driving I don't think you should be allowed. Its not a direct distraction like most other things you can get fined for but its still a hinderance if you need to do something in an emergency. I don't believe you can have 100% control if you're smoking even if smokers say otherwise (but they'll be biased anyway, and I don't mean that in a bad way).

But most people don't give a second thought if someone is smoking in the car for their safety. Whereas if someone is texting or calling I'd bet they'd be a bit worried. I don't think I've heard of smoking related crashes whereas with phones it was becoming a problem, as to why they banned it.

[fruit_cake]

it worries me a bit if they ban this, what else are they going to ban?

[Shasown]

Should be fun watching the number of accidents rise if this is introduced.

Road rage and inattention caused by nicotine withdrawal.

Another great idea by the nanny state.

[seanraff07]

I can understand banning smoking in public places such as restuarants, bars etc because it can damage other peoples health and can annoy random people around. But when it comes to smoking in a car... it should be up to the smoker whether they do it or not.

[Stu]

Nice that you have to resort to insults to get your point across though :joker:.
Cliche statementszzzzzzzzzzzz.

You're just tumbling into this krazy spiral of just these mad arguments at this stage.

[Tom]

Cliche statementszzzzzzzzzzzz.

You're just tumbling into this krazy spiral of just these mad arguments at this stage.

And you're still diverting attention away from the pointszzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzz:sleep::sleep::sleep::sleep::sleep::sleep:

You just need to get over yourself and accept that other people have different opinions to you. You do it all the time. I'm not in no spiral, but you just look extremely stubborn and unwilling to even contemplate anyones different opinion because it goes against how 'liberal', 'real' and 'cool' you are.

[Shasown]

Yeah but my point is let people smoke in their cars if they want (maybe exceptions if they've got kids in the back), its their own space and their own health. Smokers know all the risks and don't need the government to tell them. But if you're driving I don't think you should be allowed. Its not a direct distraction like most other things you can get fined for but its still a hinderance if you need to do something in an emergency. I don't believe you can have 100% control if you're smoking even if smokers say otherwise (but they'll be biased anyway, and I don't mean that in a bad way).

There are bigger distractions than a smoker smoking while driving, ever driven with two kids in the back arguing? Maybe parents should have to sedate children before allowing them in cars?Or have you ever had a blowjob while driving on a motorway, Jesus! Now that is a distraction. Should ban that!!!!

The call for the ban on smoking in cars isnt on the grounds of road safety, its about children being made captive victims of passive smoking imposed upon them by their unintelligent parents.

[Pyramid*]

I bet I'm not the only smoker and driver on here that's dropped my cigarette lighter and took my eye off the road to look to see where it is.

I'll not the the only one who has experienced accidentally knocking the lit end of my fag, then 'jumping' about in the seat trying avoid it burning me or my clothes..... or dropping the fag itself.

Flinging the finished fag out the window for the bloody thing to come flying back in again - into the back of thecar.

But then.... that must only ever happen to women drivers of course eh! ;)

smoking whilst driving is a distraction - of that there is no doubt - but should it be banned? Nah. There are worse distractions: people changing CD's, plugging in phones, punching into sat navs etc.

I understand if there are kiddies stuck in the smoky atmosphere - but really, that's about the only ground for banning it.

[Stu]

it goes against how 'liberal', 'real' and 'cool' you are.
****** please.

[joeysteele]

I don't smoke but I am sick of these daft infringements of peoples freedoms as to smoking. This crackpot idea of banning smoking in private cars is totally ridiculous.

[Bollo]

I bet I'm not the only smoker and driver on here that's dropped my cigarette lighter and took my eye off the road to look to see where it is.

I'll not the the only one who has experienced accidentally knocking the lit end of my fag, then 'jumping' about in the seat trying avoid it burning me or my clothes..... or dropping the fag itself.

Flinging the finished fag out the window for the bloody thing to come flying back in again - into the back of thecar.

But then.... that must only ever happen to women drivers of course eh! ;)


Actually, now you mention it, my exboyfriend used to do all of the above, we actually had to pull over a couple of times when the cig / cherry flew into the back of the car as there was so much crap in his car ( food wrappers/ magazines etc) that some of it started to catch fire!!

[Pyramid*]

Actually, now you mention it, my exboyfriend used to do all of the above, we actually had to pull over a couple of times when the cig / cherry flew into the back of the car as there was so much crap in his car ( food wrappers/ magazines etc) that some of it started to catch fire!!

ha...I've done better than that.

I've been all dressed up in work suits: been flicking ash out of window, put window up a wee bit because of the noise level - forgot the window wasn't as low as it had been, then flicked the fag - but since the window wasn't down enough: it flicks itself right back again!!

That's good fun when yer tanking down the motorway at 115mph. :shocked:

[Kerry]

I'm not a smoker but even I think this is going a little OTT now

Link (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15744352)

If you have children in the car you'd think anyone with half a brain would not smoke in there anyway

[HBB1508]

This just makes my blood boil - if I want to smoke in my car and the government try and stop me - well I will not be responsible for my actions!! As Vicky said if they want to ban smoking for health reasons then just stop selling cigarettes - but will they hell given the amount of tax the government earns off smokers.