[nodisharmony]

I know that the smoking ban is going to be hard for so many people.

I know that when you go to a pub and have a pint in your hand and you are a smoker, it is automatic to just light up.

Smoking and Drinking go together.

I don't smoke and I simply hate the smell of cigarette smoke. That is all really!

But cigarettes are so addictive, it is so easy for someone who doesn't smoke, to say it should be easy to stop. It isn't easy and for someone to say that it is easy, unless you do smoke yourself, you'll never know!


nodisharmony

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by nodisharmony
I know that the smoking ban is going to be hard for so many people.

I know that when you go to a pub and have a pint in your hand and you are a smoker, it is automatic to just light up.

Smoking and Drinking go together.

I don't smoke and I simply hate the smell of cigarette smoke. That is all really!

But cigarettes are so addictive, it is so easy for someone who doesn't smoke, to say it should be easy to stop. It isn't easy and for someone to say that it is easy, unless you do smoke yourself, you'll never know!


nodisharmony

That is true. I am a smoker. If I have a drink, I smoke twice as much. I can go through the day without smoking that many, but if I go out for a drink, I can virtually chainsmoke.

[sol]

I tried it on and off from the ages of 12-16 but I don't try it anymore so I'm not a smoker.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by MrLuvaLuva

That is true. I am a smoker. If I have a drink, I smoke twice as much. I can go through the day without smoking that many, but if I go out for a drink, I can virtually chainsmoke.

It is hard and as I seem to make more friends that smoke in my life, than ones that don't! I know what they tell me.

The nicotine takes a hold of you.

I am addicted to "Chocolate", I am eating some now, while I am debating another vice

But smoking affects other's around you and that is why it has gone so far.
_____________________________________________
For a change, I have picked an article from the (Northern Echo) Newspaper.

Here is the link & the article below:-
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http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/bus...moking_ban.php
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Avoid getting burnt by the smoking ban

The impending smoking ban is the most important piece of public health legislation for 50 years. With just over 100 days to go before its intriduction, Business Correspondent Deborah Johnson looks at its impact on business.

At 6am on July 1, office smoking rooms, smoke-filled pubs and cigarette-strewn clubs will be a thing of the past.

From that time, the whole of the UK will officially become a smoke-free zone, after MPs voted in favour of the Health Bill in February last year, which will see the introduction of a blanket ban on smoking in all confined public places.

Offices, factories, pubs, clubs, restaurants, company vehicles and public transport will all be affected by the change, as England follows the example of the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, which have both introduced smoking bans, and Northern Ireland and Wales, where bans will be introduced next month. Three years after the ban in Ireland, statistics have shown that 98 per cent of people remain in favour of Ireland's legislation.

For many, the direct impact of the ban will not be significant - statistics also show that about 72 per cent of people in the North-East are non smokers.

However, for some, there will be a huge impact.

Already, businesses across the country are predicting the legislation will cost them dear, with brewer Scottish and Newcastle (S&N) envisaging a Ł10m hit in takings as drinkers stay stay away from smoke-free pubs.

In Scotland, where the smoking ban was introduced in March last year, Mecca Bingo operator Rank has sounded a warning of what could be in store, by reporting a 15 per cent slide in profits to Ł72.1m.

Failure to comply with the new legislation - the most significant piece of public health law since the Clean Air Act 1956 - will also cost businesses dear.

Breaking the ban can result in a Ł2,500 fine, or individuals can receive a Ł50 fixed-penalty for lighting up.

Now, with the 100-day countdown beginning on Friday, Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, the campaign group for a smoke-free North-East, said businesses must start to prepare for the change.

She said: "This ban is not about banning smoking or demonising those who smoke - it's about protecting people and their health and workers' rights.

"Businesses, whether that be offices, factories, pubs, clubs, are not allowed to have smoking at all on their premises. Neither can they allow smoking in company vehicles or vehicles that are carrying passengers in it for business - they must be smoke-free at all times.

"A lot of businesses may not need to do a huge amount, but it is very important that everyone is aware. This hasn't come out of the blue, and has been proved effective when it has been introduced in other places in the world, but it is a big event for businesses to prepare for. It is important they are ready."

The ban is to be enforced by local councils, and the 3.7 million businesses across the UK are due to receive information packs on how they should respond to the ban.

However, health professionals are urging businesses across the region to take the lead and start preparing now for the big change.

Ms Rutter said: "There is no safe level of second-hand smoke for anyone - bar workers have to endure six times the amount most people do, and passengers stuck in a smoke-filled company vehicle will inhale a massive amount.

"Brewers and drinking places in particular should really be thinking about what this means for their business. But across the board, we need to get the message across - preparation needs to be done now.

"We think this is a hugely positive development and will be welcomed by the vast majority of people. We urge individuals and businesses to start preparing now to ensure the UK is smoke-free on July 1."

9:53am Tuesday 20th March 2007
___________________________________________


nodisharmony

[Kore]

i used to have one or 2 when drinking.

but not anymore.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by Kore
i used to have one or 2 when drinking.

but not anymore.

I hope that more stop, when the blanket-ban comes into effect.

I know that my girlfriend won't stop and many, many more friends and acquaintances of mine, say they won't stop.

But, when you look at what happened in America, during prohibition. It didn't work.

Banning cigarettes altogether, would just drive it to an underground black market and that incourages trouble.

This blanket-ban, of no smoking in all enclosed public places, just makes it difficult for people.


nodisharmony

[Z]

I tried it, I've no idea why, but I did. In some ways, I'm glad I "lived a little" but I know how stupid it was, and I'd never try it again. It wasn't cool, it wasn't fun, it mostly made me feel ill and living in a nation where the smoking ban was tested out (yeah, not loving that one.) I can safely say it works. It's great, seeing all the smokers standing out in the cold rain, puffing away. It's far better to eat out, not having constant smoke in your face. Plus, I've noticed a lot of people are giving into the other type of peer pressure; they're stopping smoking. It's a good thing, if you ask me.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by Ziola
I tried it, I've no idea why, but I did. In some ways, I'm glad I "lived a little" but I know how stupid it was, and I'd never try it again. It wasn't cool, it wasn't fun, it mostly made me feel ill and living in a nation where the smoking ban was tested out (yeah, not loving that one.) I can safely say it works. It's great, seeing all the smokers standing out in the cold rain, puffing away. It's far better to eat out, not having constant smoke in your face. Plus, I've noticed a lot of people are giving into the other type of peer pressure; they're stopping smoking. It's a good thing, if you ask me.

I am glad you gave it up, Ziola

The worst problem for those who do kick the habit, is their friends and their families.

Not everybody has the will-power or even wants to give up.

I know a couple who live in a small terraced house and have three friends who come round and smoke and the couple who own the house, also smoke.

There is four children too and their ages range between (2 years old) & (10 years old), plus, one of their mothers is pregnant and they all sit in the living room, all puffing Cigarette smoke and the four children are breathing it all into their lungs and the door to the room is always closed.

It is terrible! and should be criminal.

But, in your own home, it can and does happen.


nodisharmony