Critical Information Share Discussion Threads

[azuli] 10/11/2004 20:19

Well they're not proposing to outlaw smoking altogether, just to ban it in public places, and I can't envisage that having too much impact on tax revenues! People will still be able to smoke, but it'll be in designated places rather than in public places where non-smokers would usually be subjected to passive smoke.

As a non-smoker I'm happy with the proposal, as I don't see why I should be subjected to other people's smoke every time I go to a pub or restaurant. If people wish to smoke themselves into an early grave then fine, by all means go right ahead, but I'd rather not have to be part of it!

And anyway, our national health record up here in Scotland is absolutely appalling, and a large part of that is as a direct result of smoking, so anything that can be done to discourage it and promote an improvement in public health is fine by me.

Is that a contrarian enough view for ya, Belabed me old mucker?! ;-D

[martini] 10/11/2004 20:15

All is not lost.
Jails, Care Homes and Psychiatric units are exempt.
If it comes south of the border I shall apply for a retirement home in Broadmoor.

[belabed] 10/11/2004 19:52

To all non smokers>>>>>>>>>>

Where will the lost tax revenues come from to fill the goverment coffers?

[belabed] 10/11/2004 19:51

Smoking restrictions seem to make more sense in food-led outlets – which often cater more for family groups than hardened drinkers and smokers – but Green King will not be introducing a blanket ban even here, with only a small number of its pubs expected to bar their doors entirely to smokers.

The restrictions are also seen as winning the support of most of Greene King's customers – a move reflected by a rise in the company's shares after the announcement to restrict smoking was made.

In Ireland, however, where a smoking ban is already in place, publicans and consumers are far from content, and the licensed trade's experiences there give a clear indication of the impact of a ban on pubs which derive most of their revenues from selling beer.

Since the ban was introduced in March 2004, the sale of lager, ale and stout in Irish pubs fell by 23 million pints, according to the Irish Brewers Association, while 42 pubs in Dublin alone were put up for sale. Nearly half of them failed to find a buyer.

Indeed, figures cited by the SLTA in support of its argument suggest that Irish pub sales are down around 20 per cent in average, and that 2,000 people in Dublin alone have lost their jobs as a result of the ban.

[belabed] 10/11/2004 19:50

Too true mots, they'll think the poll tax riot was a kiddies tea party if they bring this in at my local!

[belabed] 10/11/2004 19:43

We have a war going on with Scottish soldiers being killed and this is what our new parliament is doing, beggers belief.

RIP to the Black Watch guys!

[belabed] 10/11/2004 19:43

mots

Post one could have been better, i'm stunned;-)

Please alter!

[cautiousone] 15/1/2003 18:48

BTW, how do national carriers survive when you can book a flight from Amsterdam to Leeds / Bradford for 39p plus gov't taxes (Ryanair) ? My flight, return from Stansted, has cost me less than £33 (quoted £175 with BA and Italia). I've also booked Newcastle / Barcelona return for £45 from Newcastle. This would have previously cost more than I would be prepared to pay to cross the Atlantic.

[cautiousone] 15/1/2003 18:32

I'm in Rome on business in May and looking to bring back my full allocation of the newly introduced Duty Paid limits (for the wife, not me ........ and every £ counts at the moment !!). Is anyone in the know with what I should be looking to pay for packs of 200 Regal or Benson and Hedges. Also is anyone up on the best place to buy such cigarettes. I'll probably be staying fairly central, I'll be looking into accommodation around the Colesseum. Finally, what is the transport like between Ciampino and central Rome? Should I go for a taxi or is there an adequate rail / bus / underground system?

I could obviously trawl the internet and find information from people with a vested interest. I'd obviously prefer an unbiased, warts-and-all summary. Thanks in anticipation of any information posters put themselves out to give.

Regards - Tony.