Thread: I'm Glad I'm on the Downhill Side of This Life

Originally Posted by MichaelP

They chose DWI, the government didn't force them to drink and drive... or did their personal responsibility die the second somebody told them they couldn't impose their smoke on others in the area?

What does their choice of DWI and long distance DWI tell us about them? How many other people were taken out by their "harmless to other" personal lifestyle choices?

People are going to be people no matter what, its human nature, it might be better to work with that nature rather than trying to change it. Your post proves my point , I thank you for that. They didnt choose the smoking ban, somebody else chose it for them.

Originally Posted by JMS

Yes but you will. We all will. I do have faith in my fellow man though. My only concern is when will my fellow man justify my faith.

To quote Gore Vidal, "There is the scent of the Wiemar Republic in the air."

Originally Posted by gregs656

I don't know about you, but I am not aware of a local pub that does not keep half a dozen ash trays under the bar for when the places 'closes' and the doors are locked. An excellent excuse to order another whiskey and light up.

That may work for the employees, but does nothing for the customer. As a matter of fact a good number of places have been forced to close due to the loss of customers. So what does that do for the employees?

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

That may work for the employees, but does nothing for the customer. As a matter of fact a good number of places have been forced to close due to the loss of customers. So what does that do for the employees?

I don't disagree with you mate, I just don't think it's legally possible to be a smoking establishment what with discrimination and all.

Also, I'm kinda inclined to point out that what with the recent economic troubles, it's difficult to distinguish between a loss of income due to smoking bans and people generally tightening their belts. I used to spend 7 nights a week in pubs and I know a hell of a lot of people who stopped frequenting due to cost (me included) I can't think of any who stopped because of the smoking ban, although many threatened.

Originally Posted by gregs656

I don't disagree with you mate, I just don't think it's legally possible to be a smoking establishment what with discrimination and all.

Also, I'm kinda inclined to point out that what with the recent economic troubles, it's difficult to distinguish between a loss of income due to smoking bans and people generally tightening their belts. I used to spend 7 nights a week in pubs and I know a hell of a lot of people who stopped frequenting due to cost (me included) I can't think of any who stopped because of the smoking ban, although many threatened.

FWIW, I haven't been to a sit down movie theater since they banned smoking thirty years ago. I rarely go to a restaurant for the same reason let alone a drinking establishment. How can you enjoy a drink without a smoke ? Like I said, I don't expect non-smokers to put up with a room full of pollution because I like to or have to smoke. IOW, I understand it but I don't have to like it.

Greg, when the bars/pubs are SRO in the next town and they are damn near empty here its a safe bet it is not just the economy. I think the word discrimination in your post was well used, as I believe that is whats happening here, a legislated second/lower class.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

How can you enjoy a drink without a smoke ?

How can you remain upright on the barstool without a smoke, a drink in one hand and a smoke in the other seems to balance things out.

mmm, I think I have decided that these bans have been socially or industry driven for a long time. I am sure that there would have come a time where smoking in bars would be socially unnacceptable and land lords would make a decision as they saw fit. Indeed, I am not against land lords saying you can't smoke in the premises you're renting.

I guess, though, that this was running a long happily as a social issue, and it did not require the attention of any govt.

Its pretty far-fetched to say that it is discrimination. Non-smokers have rights too, which the laws are there to protect.

Being a smoker/non-smoker is not an excuse for a DUI and deserve no understanding whatsoever.

And human nature... Being good and caring to one another and coexisting peacefully since the dawn of time. Well of course we need to accomodate such noble ideals. /sarcasm

Originally Posted by ursus

Its pretty far-fetched to say that it is discrimination. Non-smokers have rights too, which the laws are there to protect.

mmm I think it is discrimination. most anything that allows or disallows a group of people to do something because of a single factor is discriminatory to them is it not.

Individual merit is not taken into account when saying 'sorry, you can't smoke in here'