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  • SUNDAY NOVEMBER 14 2004 2:00 AM

Scottish Parliament to Smokers: Fuck Off

Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell has told the Scottish Parlament that a “comprehensive ban” on smoking in public places would be initiated in 2006. People found smoking in public would face a £1,000 fine; employers not enforcing the law would face a maximum £2,500 fine.

The Scottish National Party's Holyrood leader, Nicola Sturgeon, welcomed the move but added that the public should be consulted as the clock ticked towards the ban date.

She said: "The time has come for a ban on smoking in public places.

"There is evidence a ban can cut deaths from passive smoking and makes it easier for the 70% of smokers who desperately want to give up the habit.

"But we must also recognise that some people have concerns and reservations - there are people who are yet to be persuaded."

 

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Comments
Poseidon

Poseidon

United Kingdom
January 2004

NOV 14, 2004 02:44 AM

I am so pleased with this news, it's finally happening, no more choking and coughing in pubs and clubs.

Abyssia

Abyssia

Philadelphia, PA
August 2004

NOV 14, 2004 03:21 AM

the only time i smoke is when i'm in a bar or club. this rampant anti-smoking campaign has me dumbfounded. if people didn't want to be around smoke, then i would think an industry for "smoke free" bars, clubs, restaurants, etc... would be raking in very nice profits. it's easy to say "no" when it's a ballot question, why then is it so difficult for people to vote with their money? perhaps we already have.

Snottlebocket

Snottlebocket

Netherlands
March 2004

NOV 14, 2004 03:31 AM

so you're saying it's a better idea to start a chain of non smoking bars than it is to simply require people to stop poisoning the air in public places?

just go stand outside with your friends and come inside for a drink when you stop acting like a chimney.
as far as i'm concerned no one has the right to pollute my/our air simply because they need their fix, i don't have the right to punch you in the face when i'm feeling frustrated, why should you have the right to get that crap in my lungs because you feel like a cigarette.

i wouldn't mind a complete and total ban on smoking except in your own home and specially designated smoking rooms. (would probably reduce the number of smokers on the long run to if kids aren't exposed to it so much)

(not that i'd want the right to punch you in the face, i'm just saying both are harmfull actions just to get rid of a personal urge, except one is legal and the other is not)

[Edited on Nov 14, 2004 by Snottlebocket]

Yuriel

Yuriel

I'm lost
January 2004

NOV 14, 2004 03:55 AM

oh its not ok to "choke and puke" in clubs and pubs
but its ok to down chemicals
that can eat the pain toff a car, combust when ignited and are proven to rot your internal organs too?
riiight.
no offense.
but thats just damned ignorant.
EL SUICIDO LOCO

Ella_1

Ella_1

HOPEFUL

Australia

NOV 14, 2004 04:00 AM

Its about time really.

Why should those of us who dont smoke be subjected to the chemicals and poisons in the smoke? Really how hard is it to go outside and come back when done?

And why should there be specifically non-smoking clubs for us? Why should we be segregated when were not the ones doing the wrong thing. And yes I do beleive that smoking in public and subbecting others to it is the wrong thing.

Want to kill yourself slowly? Sure, do it. But dont make me breath that shit in becasue you are too selfish to walk a few feet and go outside

dem_z

dem_z

United Kingdom
June 2004

NOV 14, 2004 04:03 AM

Yuriel said:
oh its not ok to "choke and puke" in clubs and pubs
but its ok to down chemicals
that can eat the pain toff a car, combust when ignited and are proven to rot your internal organs too?
riiight.
no offense.
but thats just damned ignorant.
EL SUICIDO LOCO



If I drink it's because I chose to do so. If I'm inhaling someone else's smoke it's not through my choice.

dem_z

dem_z

United Kingdom
June 2004

NOV 14, 2004 04:10 AM

Scotland has an appaling health record. Anything to stop the Scots croaking is a good thing. I'd be glad if smoking was banned in Englad too. It's unlikely to be banned in England, The UK health Minister has said that banning smoking in public makes people smoke more at home and that puts children of smokers at a greater - unacceptable - risk. 17,000 children under the age of five are admitted to hospital every year with illnesses resulting from passive smoking; I guess he has a point.

YUSHi

YUSHi

United Kingdom
May 2004

NOV 14, 2004 04:30 AM

I wish i lived 12 miles further north then i would be in Scotland... i hope the English courts get with the program and enforce a ban nationwide rather than leaving it to regional powers such as Liverpool who are also asking the Govt. for permission to ban smoking in public places...

Truthfatal

Truthfatal

Golden, BC
March 2004

NOV 14, 2004 04:30 AM

I really enjoyed it when BC bars went smoke free. It was a bit of a hassle at first, because I smoke. Now needing a cigarette is a great excuse to get away from that drunk guy who keeps grabbing my ass and telling me how much i remind him of his son eeek

jpguinness

jpguinness

Seattle, WA
May 2004

NOV 14, 2004 04:33 AM

I do not smoke but I do not understand why can't they let the market decide on this issue. There are non-smoking bars. Let's just have this. Both smoking and non-smoking bars. It is a question of choice. Sure they will ban smoking in bars but in my view, if they can do that, they will start either banning or curtailing other things like drinking. Maybe an enforced drinking limit or cutting alcohol content in drinks. Maybe earlier closing hours. I honestly think that this will be the beginning of a "new-puritanism". If people have to stop smoking then we should just stop drinking and go to bed early.

Where I live there is no smoking ban but if there is then I fear that the nightlife here will be seriously curtailed. Maybe I will stop drinking when it does happen. whatever

[Edited on Nov 14, 2004 4:37AM]

crispy

crispy

NEWSWIRE

Philadelphia, PA

NOV 14, 2004 04:37 AM

Parliament.

dem_z

dem_z

United Kingdom
June 2004

NOV 14, 2004 04:39 AM

jpguinness said:
I do not smoke but I do not understand why can't they let the market decide on this issue. There are non-smoking bars. Let's just have this. Both smoking and non-smoking bars. It is a question of choice.


Again: Drinking affects you, Smoking affects everyone who breathes your smoke.

Sure they will ban smoking in bars but in my view, if they can do that, they will start either banning or curtailing other things like drinking. Maybe an enforced drinking limit or cutting alcohol content in drinks. Maybe earlier closing hours. I honestly think that this will be the beginning of a "new-puritanism". If have to stop smoking then we should just stop drinking and go to bed early.


The UK is investigating several things to combat problme drinking. One thing is longer opening hours. Another is a ban on irresponsible drinks promotions; anyhting that encourages people to drink more than they would normally, or faster than they would normally.

Christopher

Christopher

Portland, OR
November 2002

NOV 14, 2004 04:45 AM

crispy said:
Parliament.

Thanks!

s5

s5

STAFF

San Francisco, CA

NOV 14, 2004 04:49 AM

shooting heroin into your own arm should be legal. shooting heroin into my arm should not be.

likewise, your right to smoke ends where the hole in my face begins.

Snottlebocket

Snottlebocket

Netherlands
March 2004

NOV 14, 2004 04:59 AM

s5 said:
shooting heroin into your own arm should be legal. shooting heroin into my arm should not be.

likewise, your right to smoke ends where the hole in my face begins.



well said, much better than my word jumble.

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