I’m a smoker. I like to think I’m reasonably considerate, in that I always try to go outside, or make sure I smoke away from people, or don’t whilst they are eating etc. Even as a smoker, I hate it when others are blatantly not thinking when stood at a bar, or in a queue, about whom are around and where the smokes going.
Many non-smokers out there wont care and will still view me as the spawn of the devil and say that my ‘’consideration’ is meaningless. But that’s fair enough – its their viewpoint and I’m not going to get into semantics now about that.
The reason why I opened with that statement is that, despite being a smoker, I pretty much don’t mind about the impending Government ban on smoking in pubs, bars, restaurants and the like. I do happen to think that it should be left as it is, i.e. segregated areas and choice, but would not be hugely disgruntled or up in arms if (or rather when) the ban comes into effect. Hell, it might even give me a little push to give up.
What I do mind about this legislation though, is the hypocrisy the Government is displaying. If the guardians of our state deem it such a danger to the health and welfare of society to warrant this kind of witch-hunt, then why do they still allow the sale of it and have it remain a legal commodity. Furthermore, they are actually profiting more than anyone else from its sale, thereby putting themselves in the position of castigating and outlawing the use of a legally purchased product, which they themselves ‘endorse’. Simply by hiding behind the logic that its highly taxed to make it unpopular, unaffordable and minimise its use is a charade that fools nobody.
I like smoking, perhaps I shouldn’t, but more often than not I do. I’m fully aware of its harm to me, and accept the hefty price I have to pay. But I don’t accept this schizophrenic, have it both ways philosophy. If its such a threat to the fabric of our society ban its sale, find measures to recoup the loss of taxes from other means.
Which brings me to what prompted this little tirade. I was reading one of the big papers today (the ones that make you look intelligent whilst sitting on a train) and an article very nearly made me choke on my pain au chocolat – which would have been an ironic way to die, given the above. It seems that there’s some debate regarding this Bill as to whether or not prisoners should be exempt from this and allowed to continue smoking, due to the fear it may cause unrest. Of all the cheek!!! If I, average joe, (generally) law abiding citizen, am not allowed to smoke in a public venue then why on earth should some scrote be afforded the privilege that Im not – Sod that, it’s a ridiculous notion.
Right – I'm off to get myself arrested.
Mmmm.I disagree. Im a smoker too...although in yet another giving up stage at the moment, and would also like to see a ban from pubs and bars, but prisons?
Whilst you can pop outside the pub to have a fag you can hardley pop outside HMP.Smoky pubs need to be banned because of passive smoking and because so many people no longer smoke.The majority of prisoners smoke so if its in a designated room its not doing anyone but them harm.