Smoking Ban Comes Into Force In Scotland

[Biggles]

I have to admit to being slightly surprised by the "civil liberties" argument in response to curtailing smoking in enclosed public spaces. Smoking has banned on buses, planes and trains for years. Most restaurants prefer if smoking is done in the bar or side room rather than the main restaurant.

Consequently, the extension to bars was hardly a huge step. Only about 27% of the adult population smoke. Often I have been in bars and been surprised how smokey just a handful of smokers can make the place.

Civil Liberties are important but they cut both ways. Non smokers should also have the right not to smell like an ashtray after being in the pub. My local has erected a rather pleasant gazebo in the garden for smokers to retire to with their drink if they wish a puff. This would seem a reasonable compromise to me. Only a chain smoker would feel hard done to.

[Skillian]

Non smokers should also have the right not to smell like an ashtray after being in the pub.

Then have non-smoking pubs. Or rather a have a few places that do allow smoking. Sorry to keep repeating myself but I don't see how that isn't the most sensible solution.

Just because you don't want to smell smoke, doesn't mean that I shouldn't either in a building 2 miles away.

[Biggles]

Perhaps the old Victorian "smoking rooms" will reappear - although I do not know how that would sit with the law. Also, a couple of smokers at work were not too happy with the idea of a smoking only pub, they thought the air might be a bit noxious - even for them.

[Skillian]

Perhaps they will - though they will certainly be illegal.

I'm probably being a bit obnoxious in this thread, but it's such a shame for me that watching the football in a pub with a pint and a cigarette, which has been a staple for me for the last 10 years, has suddenly been made illegal.

I always figured it would happen sometime in my lifetime, but it kinda took me by surprise.

[JPaul]

I have to admit to being slightly surprised by the "civil liberties" argument in response to curtailing smoking in enclosed public spaces. Smoking has banned on buses, planes and trains for years. Most restaurants prefer if smoking is done in the bar or side room rather than the main restaurant.

Consequently, the extension to bars was hardly a huge step. Only about 27% of the adult population smoke. Often I have been in bars and been surprised how smokey just a handful of smokers can make the place.

Civil Liberties are important but they cut both ways. Non smokers should also have the right not to smell like an ashtray after being in the pub. My local has erected a rather pleasant gazebo in the garden for smokers to retire to with their drink if they wish a puff. This would seem a reasonable compromise to me. Only a chain smoker would feel hard done to.

I agree and have said it often, here and elsewhere. My right to go wherever I want > the right of someone to poison themselves and others.

In Ireland I believe it is quite common to have these gazebos of which you speak.

Are you getting someone to come to your work and tell the smokers how far away from the front door they need to stand, to comply with the law. That's not a joke btw chaps.

[JPaul]

Perhaps the old Victorian "smoking rooms" will reappear - although I do not know how that would sit with the law.

I s'pose that depends on the definition of Public Place they used.

[Skillian]

I agree and have said it often, here and elsewhere. My right to go wherever I want > the right of someone to poison themselves and others.

So if I opened a bar on my street that allowed smoking you would see that as violating your rights to go where you want.

I can't see that logic clearly.

[JPaul]

‘NO-SMOKING PREMISES’ (as listed in Schedule 1 to the Regulations)

Those premises which fall within the scope of the legislation, having been classed as ‘no-smoking premises’, are:

1. Restaurants.
2. Bars and public houses.
3. Shops and shopping centres.
4. Hotels.
5. Libraries, archives, museums and galleries.
6. Cinemas, concert halls, theatres, bingo halls, gaming and amusement arcades, casinos, dance halls,
discotheques and other premises used for the entertainment of members of the public.
7. Premises used as a broadcasting studio or film studio or for the recordingof a performance with
a view to its use in a programme service or in a film intended for public exhibition.
8. Halls and any other premises used for the assembly of members of the public for social or
recreational purposes.
9. Conference centres, public halls and exhibition halls.
10. Public toilets.
11. Club premises.
12. Offices, factories and other premises that are non-domestic premises in which one or more
persons work.
13. Offshore installations.
14. Educational institution premises.
15. Premises providing care home services, sheltered housing or secure accommodation services
and premises that are non-domestic premises which provide offender accommodation services.
16. Hospitals, hospices, psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric units and health care premises.
17. Crèches, day nurseries, day centres and other premises used for the day care of children or adults.
18. Premises used for, or in connection with, public worship or religious instruction, or the social or
recreational activities of a religious body.
19. Sports centres.
20. Airport passenger terminals and any other public transportation facilities.
21. Public transportation vehicles.
22. Vehicles which one or more persons use for work.
23. Public telephone kiosks.


EXEMPTIONS (as listed in Schedule 2 to the Regulations)

Those premises (or parts of premises) which are exempt from the legislation are:

1. Residential accommodation.
2. Designated rooms in adult care homes.
3. Adult hospices.
4. Designated rooms in psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units.
5. Designated hotel bedrooms.
6. Detention or interview rooms which are designated rooms.
7. Designated rooms in offshore installations.
8. Private vehicles.

[JPaul]

I agree and have said it often, here and elsewhere. My right to go wherever I want > the right of someone to poison themselves and others.

So if I opened a bar on my street that allowed smoking you would see that as violating your rights to go where you want.

I can't see that logic clearly.

I posted my last before I read this, so don't take it as a reply to your question.

Edit - You couldn't because you wouldn't get a licence to do it. Well at least not in Scotland.

[Skillian]

So did anyone go the pub in Scotland this weekend?

How was it compared to life before the ban?