General rant about cig bans & tax issues.

[The Flying Mouse]

Originally Posted by MeatGrl1

But in the meantime you still have to go outside sometimes when it's cold as ice to feed your craving... It makes no sense to me !

Actually, they don't.
They just don't bother going out in inclement weather.

If it doesn't make sense, get addicted to nicotine, believe me, it'll make sense.

Interesting thing my dad said to me the other day, is that he doesn't go out as much now because his friends (particularly Alan, who is his best drinking buddy)keep popping outside for a ciggie so he's left with nobody to talk to, that's besides the point that his pals are more reluctant to go out in the first place these days.

BTW, my dad has never smoked in his life.

[Paul191]

To move away from the initial question for a second, this all links very nicely into the ~~~~er argument for global warming. Charges for filling up your rubbish bin, Charges for not recycling and increased tax on fuel is all being backed up by the green communists who want to take us back to the dark ages in order to save us all from some kind of apocalyptic oblivion. It's these people who also want to save us all from smoking related lung cancers and brain tumours the size of footballs. The reason the government is backing this socialist nonsense is because they conveniently get a nice little share from it. Charges, charges, charges = more money for the government.

I am not a smoker and I despise the smoking ban! Again the stupid autocrats in power find it OK to deduce, yet, another of our civil liberties.

What really annoys me about all of this is the fact that the government are proving they really don't care about anything further than their own snivelling noses. They just follow a few simple rules laid out by the illusive PC brigade. That makes them happy and it gives the government a great reason to tax the shit out of us!

I'm sorry Neil but I think the government knew about all of the points you made in your initial post, loss of jobs etc, but they went right ahead with it because it gave then a great excuse to fill their own back pockets! Because they really, really 'care' about our health. They save a fortune in NHS costs (After the temporary increase in people wanting help to give up smoking) and they make a great deal in fines. It's only a matter of time before the ~~~~~~~s begin poking their little snouts into every other corner of our lives in order to 'save' or 'free' us. It's for the 'greater good' apparently. Very 1984esque if you ask me.

[Deb]

Originally Posted by The Flying Mouse

Actually, they don't.
They just don't bother going out in inclement weather.

LOL they do I've seen Ansy outside in the freezing cold on more than one occasion lol. Also had him on the fone getting blown around in blizzards while popping out for one I've seen M go out in the cold many times as well.

[The Flying Mouse]

My dad's friend Alan doesn't go the pub when the weather is bad anymore, but I supose that could just be him alone, and only in Liverpool

[Deb]

Glad to see you're seeing things my way Neil

[djfierce]

i dont wanna go out in the bloody cold either and i dont smoke

[The Flying Mouse]

I didn't ask you to hun

[djfierce]

eh?? i give up, i meant less people wanna go out in bad weather anyway, smokers or not

[allrevvedup]

it's a good job that i don't smoke... or pay taxes (in england that is)

[Pudding]

Originally Posted by The Flying Mouse

Interesting thing my dad said to me the other day, is that he doesn't go out as much now because his friends (particularly Alan, who is his best drinking buddy)keep popping outside for a ciggie so he's left with nobody to talk to

If someone chooses a cig over a friendship, then the friendship couldn't have been really worth much. Seems like it's Alan's loss not your Dads.

Pud

[AndyK]

Originally Posted by Deb

LOL they do I've seen Ansy outside in the freezing cold on more than one occasion lol. Also had him on the fone getting blown around in blizzards while popping out for one I've seen M go out in the cold many times as well.

That's a two fold reason though Des ... we're not supposed to have our mobile phones on in the office, let alone talk on them, so if I have to go outside to make a phonecall I might as well have a smoke while I'm at it

[Deb]

Ah but it's not just work you go out and freeze for one lol. I've seen you outside freezing in many places lol.

[RadioMaster]

Originally Posted by Paul191

To move away from the initial question for a second, this all links very nicely into the ~~~~er argument for global warming. Charges for filling up your rubbish bin, Charges for not recycling and increased tax on fuel is all being backed up by the green communists who want to take us back to the dark ages in order to save us all from some kind of apocalyptic oblivion. It's these people who also want to save us all from smoking related lung cancers and brain tumours the size of footballs. The reason the government is backing this socialist nonsense is because they conveniently get a nice little share from it. Charges, charges, charges = more money for the government.

I am not a smoker and I despise the smoking ban! Again the stupid autocrats in power find it OK to deduce, yet, another of our civil liberties.

What really annoys me about all of this is the fact that the government are proving they really don't care about anything further than their own snivelling noses. They just follow a few simple rules laid out by the illusive PC brigade. That makes them happy and it gives the government a great reason to tax the shit out of us!

I'm sorry Neil but I think the government knew about all of the points you made in your initial post, loss of jobs etc, but they went right ahead with it because it gave then a great excuse to fill their own back pockets! Because they really, really 'care' about our health. They save a fortune in NHS costs (After the temporary increase in people wanting help to give up smoking) and they make a great deal in fines. It's only a matter of time before the ~~~~~~~s begin poking their little snouts into every other corner of our lives in order to 'save' or 'free' us. It's for the 'greater good' apparently. Very 1984esque if you ask me.

Sorry Paul, but that's the biggest bunch of bollocks I've heard in a long time...

[RadioMaster]

a little side note:
the smoking ban was established at all German railway stations last year as well. But if smokers were waiting for a train, they couldnt send them out of the building, so they might miss their train.
So, what was the solution for this problem?

As you see, every station now has this yellow square somewhere on all the platforms, where people who want to smoke have to go. But the joke on all this is that it doesnt help anyone. As you see the non-smokers have to sit right next to the square, and there is no kind of seperation. To make it comfortable they also put the yellow suqares right to the centre of the platforms, so the majority of non-smokers has to either walk by or stand near.

And now the funniest thing:
This was established to 'save' non-smokers, BUT a lot of stations were strictly non-smoking before the 'ban'

[AndyK]

Originally Posted by Deb

Ah but it's not just work you go out and freeze for one lol. I've seen you outside freezing in many places lol.

True enough ... and on the flip side I've been outside smoking in some lovely sunshine too.

[KebLou]

Originally Posted by Paul191

The reason the government is backing this socialist nonsense is because they conveniently get a nice little share from it. Charges, charges, charges = more money for the government.

They save a fortune in NHS costs (After the temporary increase in people wanting help to give up smoking) and they make a great deal in fines.

It's all rubbish but these bits stand out, I think if you look at the figures the Government makes more money if you smoke and if you can tell me how many people have actually been fined?

Plus if all the Government is interested in is themselves and making money what about the people who have suffered smoke related illness without smoking a cigarette in their lives, but have worked in pub...

[Pudding]

Originally Posted by KebLou

Plus if all the Government is interested in is themselves and making money what about the people who have suffered smoke related illness without smoking a cigarette in their lives, but have worked in pub...

Thousands of passive smokers die of lung cancer and smoking related illnesses each, Roy Castle being a classic example.

Pud

[Paul191]

Originally Posted by RadioMaster

Sorry Paul, but that's the biggest bunch of bollocks I've heard in a long time...

Why?

[Paul191]

Originally Posted by KebLou

It's all rubbish but these bits stand out, I think if you look at the figures the Government makes more money if you smoke and if you can tell me how many people have actually been fined?

Plus if all the Government is interested in is themselves and making money what about the people who have suffered smoke related illness without smoking a cigarette in their lives, but have worked in pub...

It's all common sense.

It's not about how many people have been fined. It's the fact they are being forced to correspond to the rubbish the government spurts out with the consequence of being fined. I wouldn't expect easily driven people to understand.

Hahaha, You are telling me that Cherie Blair didn't spend £200,000 of taxpayers money on renovating 10 Downing street 2 years ago and that MPs have not been given, almost, a 30% pay rise in the last 10 years whilst public sector workers rages have simply been rising with inflataion? YES THEY DO ONLY CARE ABOUT THEIR BACK POCKETS.


Now, you wanted to know about the people who have suffered smoke related illness without smoking a cigarette in their lives, but have worked in pub. I can tell you that one of the great things about this country is that we used to have a choice. Now we don't because we are shovel fed shit through our arses.

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by Paul191

I can tell you that one of the great things about this country is that we used to have a choice. Now we don't because we are shovel fed shit through our arses.

I think this is bollocks as the smoking ban has come in effect in many European countries and not just in the UK, after many states in the US proved it could be done. You were already not able to smoke in restaurants in the early nineties in California, that's quite a long time ago when you consider banning smoking.

If it was really all about making money from the taxes the governments in Europe would not be banning smoking obviously!

[Paul191]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

I think this is bollocks as the smoking ban has come in effect in many European countries and not just in the UK, after many states in the US proved it could be done. You were already not able to smoke in restaurants in the early nineties in California, that's quite a long time ago when you consider banning smoking.

If it was really all about making money from the taxes the governments in Europe would not be banning smoking obviously!

I would appreciate it if people actually looked at what I wrote initially. I didn't say it was PURELY for money. I said they were trying to impress the PC committee because not only does it keep their mouths shut, it gives the government extra bonuses as well. It's a two way deal. Trust me, if the government didn't get anything out of it they wouldn't ban it. Read up no the local politics this week about macmillian and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

[Pudding]

Originally Posted by Paul191

I didn't say it was PURELY for money. I said they were trying to impress the PC committee because not only does it keep their mouths shut, it gives the government extra bonuses as well.

Complete hogwash. You sound like a typical lefty conspiracy theorist who's arguments always lacks facts and are based on hysteria

The government isn't trying to impress anyone, especially the PC committee, because if they were then they'd have done something a lot sooner. The smoking ban is in place because it's an health issue and the cost of treating smoking related illness is spiralling out of control.

Also where's this bonus money coming from? certainly not the taxes, because less smokers mean less taxes and certainly not the tobacco companies.

Originally Posted by Paul191

Trust me

Not today

I wish the government would put the same amount of effort into banning fast food outlets so we can save money on obesity related illnesses, because fatties are clogging up the health system quicker than their arteries. But that's another topic for another thread.

Pud

[Paul191]

Originally Posted by Pudding

Complete hogwash. You sound like a typical lefty conspiracy theorist who's arguments always lacks facts and are based on hysteria

The government isn't trying to impress anyone, especially the PC committee, because if they were then they'd have done something a lot sooner. The smoking ban is in place because it's an health issue and the cost of treating smoking related illness is spiralling out of control.

Also where's this bonus money coming from? certainly not the taxes, because less smokers mean less taxes and certainly not the tobacco companies.



Not today

I wish the government would put the same amount of effort into banning fast food outlets so we can save money on obesity related illnesses, because fatties are clogging up the health system quicker than their arteries. But that's another topic for another thread.

Pud

I knew it would on ly be a matter of time before the 'conspiracy theorist' jibes were coming out. Lacks facts? I swear I had 2 facts in my reply to Keb Lou. Hysteria? I have to agree with that one mate.


Since when were the governemnt not trying to impress the PC committee? Plastic bags, Car fuel, Global Warming, Radiation etc all come about because of some PC loon who can't keep his head on his shoulders. The government has done nothing but ~~~~ them up the arse for two reason. Because they can and because they get something out of it. Whether it's credability or money. Either way, someone slowly begins to see their choices and liberties swept away from them under their feet. Where is the free society we are supposed to live in?

Anyway, better get back to my kebab. Sooner I finish it the sooner I get to bed considering I have an appointment at the hospital tomorrow for chronic heart desease.

[Pudding]

Here's a radical theory for you Paul, it's a little far-fetched I know and it has a few flaws, but give it a whirl for a few minutes

Perhaps the government banned smoking from public places because it was the right thing to do and there is and never was any overt or covert agenda

Hope you enjoyed your kebab.

Pud

[RadioMaster]

Originally Posted by Paul191

Why?

to make it short:
It is stupid to say the government is just filling their back pockets. If you look what they really do youll notice that it's a group of very intelligent top people whos job it is to do the best for the people and the country. And that's all they do. Of course there are black sheep, but youll find them everywhere else as well. People who are nagging the government are just lazy, selfish b@stards only have fun complaining about every little bit they find.

For the rest Ill agree with the Pudding.