WHAT !!!! You think I have lung issues for no good reason!! I worked hard to mess them up!! ( I joke, but it's not really amusing: self inflicted so shouldn't moan).

I'm not the do gooder and party pooper than everyone on here appears to think I am - honestly!!

Okay, I'll tell you what I told my little sister (who also smokes) and say that I don't look down on people who smoke. It's a habit that's not healthy but then again at least 95% of what people eat, drink, or do is unhealthy today.

As a smoker, and having smoked heavily for about 28 years: I can assure you - in earnest - that if I could have my time back: I would far rather be chucking high processed foods and drinks down my throat, than the crap that are cigarettes. Honestly. I say that with complete and utter feeling.

I thought I was immune becuase I was incredibly fit, active until my mid thirties: smoking never impacted upon my health. Or so I though: and from my late thirties: I have gone from being unbelievably fit - to having very little lungpower to afford me good physical health.

I can only speak for myself: and how I personally view it. But I honestly cannot agree with your own thoughts. Especially when I have tried over and over to quit: even though it will kill me, and far sooner than I probably even realis myself.

I agree 100% with your post Pyramid. I'm 32 now and have been smoking since I was 16, as yet I've not had any ill health due to smoking which is why, especially in the last year I feel huge pressure to quit before it's too late (eventhough it might already be) I'm determined to give up before this year is finished.

Yes,of course they have rights, it is true cigarettes are harmful to health but as so many people have pointed out here, so is alcohol and most things people eat really.
Smoking is not illegal in the UK,nor is the purchasing of cigarettes etc, people pay council tax and income tax to have the rights to do all that is legal. Smokers also pay massively higher taxes to the govt when they purchase cigarettes.

Therefore it is wrong to discriminate. In enclosed buildings such as restuarants,theatres, cinemas shopping centres etc, banning smoking is understandable but anywhere else, no way.
Why just cigarette smoking anyway, what about petrol fumes,I feel sick in an enclosed bus station with the fumes in there.

Also while I agree smoking is harmful, so are many things in life and so I say smokers do have rights and should not be looked down on when they smoke in open air public places.

I have never smoked and am not likely to ever to but I have friends who do and it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Get off the fence.


Rude Stinking Smokers are a problem

I am not on any fence at all on this one arista, I do not smoke at all but would stand up for anyone discriminated against because they do.

Rude stinking people are the big problem in the UK not just some of the smoking element.

Everyone has rights.

Yes I've heard that before. Also I believe smoking is allowed in prison and mental health hospitals. However I don't know that for sure as I've never been........

In 2009-10, the government made over £10 billion from tobacco tax. During the same period, the NHS cost £100 billion to run. So smokers are in effect funding 10% of the NHS. That £10 billion is going to have to be collected from somewhere once smokers have been hounded to extinction. Conversely, obese people pay no extra tax on their food but their health problems cost as much as smoking-related illnesses.

If smoking bans continue in the way they have been imposed in the last few years, smokers will buy their tobacco illegally and criminals will make money from supplying in the way they do now with drugs. If people use their money, that has already been taxed by PAYE or another method, to buy tobacco which has a huge tax markup, then that's up to them. So long as they're not interferring with others or making others uncomfortable. Having said that, I don't know anyone who smokes who wouldn't be happy to nip outside and wouldn't dream of smoking around non-smokers or in anyone's home.

Incidentally, I have never seen anyone smoke in Houses of Parliament. In fact, Parliament was the first establishment in England to impose a smoking ban way back in the 1600s.

Absolutely first class post again Livia.Not only spot on but informative and educational too.

How many do you smoke a day Niamh?

Cigs have again gone up as well :bored: It's like every week now

Between 15-20 :/

That's way more than me :shocked: I'm pretty light compared to you

Just try cutting down to 10 then eventually 3-5 if you enjoy your smoking. And then if you do want to quit then try it :)


My dad tried from smoking ~20 since his teens to none and it was impossible, he lasted 3 days :laugh:

My mum has started getting her cigarettes off the 'baccy man' because of the constant rise in prices. She used to go mental at me for doing that :laugh2:

Yeah I might have to do that soon, although my one has vanished :suspect:

I've been having this financial NHS cig/baccy tax debate for ever and it's shocking the amount of non-smokers who bleat on about how much smokers cost the tax payer/NHS - when they have not a clue.

Excellent post - I may not always agree with you -but on this one - it would be sheer folly not to.

Who is the baccy man? :joker:

Smokers are starting to look a bit sad and desperate all huddled together outside buildings puffing away like crazy. Theyre becoming the new crack addicts. I think occasional smoking is ok but some people can't go 30 minutes without a fag. That's pathetic.

And no they shouldn't be able to inflict their smoke on others in enclosed areas. I don't want to inhale it or have it make my clothes stink, thanks. Other than that they can do what they like to their own health. Their choice.

I hate walking past smokers because the smell reminds me of nights out in singapore and makes me miss it like crazy.
I do like the smell of smoke though.

Every street has one.

The guy who goes on 'holiday' a lot and sells his tabs and baccy cheap :p

Ive not seen him :suspect:

Well done that's the stupidest thing I've read here in awhile and it's not even on your shitty Bono thread.