Tougher smoking laws on the cards.

Would any of you smokers mind if I injected heroin at the table? And since you’re smoking anyway, you won’t mind if I light up a reefer in the designated smoking area either will you?

If you’re going to complain about crack-downs on smoking, just remember that nicotine is worse for you than heroin or pot – and those two are already illegal.

Bunch of filthy drug addicts, the lot of you.

Katie said :

When I used to smoke there was nothing better than a cold beer and a cigarette outside a pub on a sunny day. I still remember how magic it was and would hate to deprive any smokers out there from that experience. Unless you’ve been a smoker, you really wouldn’t understand the joy.

You’re probably right. And I guess you could never understand the joy of a cold beer outside a pub on a sunny day without the smell of cigarettes drowning out your olfactory senses.

Inappropriate, of course it would – a drug is a drug is a drug, all the rest of the bu11sh1t that comes into it is created by people, not the drug itself. I have no issue with other people using cocaine just as I have no issue with people smoking – I, myself, don’t do either and if cocaine were legal I likely still wouldn’t do. Who are you people to stop another person from making their own choices on what they can and can’t do just becuase you don’t like it???
Good grief!

Seems to me that most people who disagree with this “smoking around food” ban are upset about the restrictions of something which is legal. I have to things to say.

Urinating is a perfectly legal activity too, I think I’ll start doing it in outdoor eating areas,

and

While I am generally against the blanket prohibition of anything (especially addictive drugs, since people with addictions are notoriously bad at just saying no), I’m starting to think banning tobacco might just be cheaper then enforcing a million little laws designed to inconvenience people toward the same goal.

UrbanAdventure.org said :

What about the right of non smokers to breathe?

How does people smoking stop you breathing?

UrbanAdventure.org said :

Besides, having a smoking section in a restraunt is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.

LOL That’s my quote of the day! It’s going straight to my fave quotes on facebook…

Katie said :

When I used to smoke there was nothing better than a cold beer and a cigarette outside a pub on a sunny day. I still remember how magic it was and would hate to deprive any smokers out there from that experience. Unless you’ve been a smoker, you really wouldn’t understand the joy.

Would your argument work we were talking about cocaine and not cigarettes?

When I used to smoke there was nothing better than a cold beer and a cigarette outside a pub on a sunny day. I still remember how magic it was and would hate to deprive any smokers out there from that experience. Unless you’ve been a smoker, you really wouldn’t understand the joy.

And it’s not all bad – after the ban on indoor smoking all you could smell at the phoenix was the stench of stale beer and sweaty, unwashed hobos. I much preferred the smoke!

There are too many rules and regulations in our society as it is – we need less rules, not more!

What I find frutrating about this whole thing are the people who talk about the right of smokers to smoke. What right? What about the right of non smokers to breathe? I would think the right to live by breathing fresh air overules any right to slowly commit suicide and to endanger the lives of others by pollouting air.

Besides, having a smoking section in a restraunt is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.

I think that if it were not for the taxes involved, smoking would have been banned long ago. As the tobacco companies are sude more and more, they will eventually find that they can not afford to be in business. They’ve lied too long and covered up the dangers of smoking. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26217523-23109,00.html

dvaey said :

I see, so because there are some bad smokers, we should clamp down on all smokers?

This is *exactly* the sorts of argument you make about bicycle registration. Amusing that you realise that it’s not valid in this context.

I am a non-smoker, and this new law does seem silly. I’ll admit I hate it when I’m outside eating and someone near by me lights up a ciggie.

If they want to impose anything – ban smoking within 25m or so of doorways and entrances.. I just LOVE going to the shopping mall and having to walk through clouds of smoke to get inside.

As for Government buildings.. yes some staff smoke – limiting their breaks should be enforced. A smoker can take several breaks throughout the day to get a fix, whereas a non-smoker can’t. One of my last bosses (a ex-smoker himself) put a ban on us smoking. They were allowed ONE and only ONE smoke break per day. Seems fair enough to me.

What’s your point dvaey?

I said I don’t have a problem with smokers smoking, as long as they don’t do it in my face. I make no argument for legislation other than wishing to personally take a four-by-two to the back of the head of smokers who blow smoke in my face and toss lit cigarettes out of cars.

I make reference to inconsiderate smokers as arrogant pricks, not responsible smokers who are aware of others, as you paint yourself to be. Maybe you didn’t read my post.

And if smokers pay tax equivalent to or in excess of the financial demand they place on the health system, well that’s just great. Even less reason to take issue. Not that I had an issue, as I stated.

bloodnut said :

I’d prefer removal of everything else that offends my senses while eating. Smokers aren’t even in my top ten…

small children.

Agreed. You forgot to mention people who drown themselves in perfume and ‘deodorant’.

Postalgeek said :

So some of the money I bust my nuts to earn goes towards trying to cure smokers of mouth and throat cancer, emphysema and bronchitis, lung cancer, bladder cancer, vision impairment, ulcers and vascular diseases. It’s a little frustrating that this is an avoidable expense, but I don’t give it much thought.

While I may be wrong, I believe that that $5-$6/pack that the government charges smokers, would more than cover any additional health expenses I may incur. Ill save you doing the maths, but a pack-a-day smoker pays close to $2000 per year in tax.

If there is a clearly-marked smokers sanctuary that smokers can retreat to to have a meal and a beer, no problem.

Maybe you didnt read the article, or arent familiar with ACT establishments, which no longer (by law) provide smoking areas for their customers. I think that a ‘no kids’ law should be passed, as just like you dont like going out near smokers, I dont like going out where kids run out of control. The only difference, is that if Im smoking and you ask me to move away from a busy area, Ill probably agree, whereas if you ask a parent to control their unruly child, youll promptly get put in your place.

Postalgeek said :

But there are some arrogant pricks out there who don’t give a toss where they light up and who they blow smoke onto, and so their right to smoke amounts to jack shit for me.

I see, so because there are some bad smokers, we should clamp down on all smokers? Should we also fire all bus drivers because one or two are a bit dodgy? What about clamping down on the entire AFP because theres a couple of corrupt cops? What about if NSW got fed up with Canberrans travelling into their state, because a couple of ACT drivers were ‘arrogant pricks’, so decided to ban all ACT drivers.

Im a responsible smoker, I even take my own butt-bucket with me if I goto public areas like parks or beaches to avoid litter, I sit down-wind from people when smoking, etc, but Im still being subjected to these laws. I might as well have just been an arrogant prick for the last 10 years, since some people such as yourself will ostracize me either way, whether Im responsible or not.

First they came for the hoons, and I did not speak out—because I was not a hoon;
Then they came for the alco-pops, and I did not speak out—because I do not drink alco-pop;
Then they came for the fireworks, and I did not speak out—because I do not use fireworks;
Then they came for the smokers, and I did not speak out—because I was not a smoker;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.
But thank god they got rid of the smokers.

good riddance to that. Hope the bill passes the assembly! Would love to eat outdoors without cigarette smoke being blown in my face. Its not going to be popular with the smokers of canberra though is it!!!!

Banning smoking in outdoor eating spaces? I’m a non-smoker but I think it’s stupid.
Indoors the smoke had nowhere to go, some pubs would just be a smoky haze, but outdoors it doesn’t matter.

bloodnut said :

It’s obviously no longer about health – you suck in more toxins eating al fresco along Bunda St from cars than smokes.

I’d prefer removal of everything else that offends my senses while eating. Smokers aren’t even in my top ten…

small children.
ugly people.
loud people.
92% opf all australian hip hop.
Americans.

the list goes on….

lol… i think you meant 98%

Special G said :

Smoking is a disgusting habit. The last thing I need is some filthy smoker sitting downwind from me and and my kids and lighting up a cigar. Don’t care if people want to slowly kill themselves just don’t inflict it on other people.

sure you dont mean upwind?

There’s word coming from my current Commonwealth Department that our Secretary is going to come down pretty hard on smokers. Moving them right away from the building aned attempting to limit the amount of time smokers spend out of the office on a ‘break’.

For what its worth, I hate the things, they killed both my parents and for that I have a very negative view of smoking, smokers and the habit in general. Sorry to soap box here but yes its legal, but yes also it will kill you and your loved ones.

So some of the money I bust my nuts to earn goes towards trying to cure smokers of mouth and throat cancer, emphysema and bronchitis, lung cancer, bladder cancer, vision impairment, ulcers and vascular diseases. It’s a little frustrating that this is an avoidable expense, but I don’t give it much thought.

Then some @#$%er lights up next to me and blows their crap my way while I’m having a meal, just to say thank you.

If a business wants to make a clearly marked outdoor smoking area away from other outdoor dining areas, that’s fine. If there is a clearly-marked smokers sanctuary that smokers can retreat to to have a meal and a beer, no problem. I have no beef with designated smoking areas and smokers who make an effort not to inflict their smoke on other people. Let them smoke their little hearts out, literally, and I’ll help fund the medical expenses.

But there are some arrogant pricks out there who don’t give a toss where they light up and who they blow smoke onto, and so their right to smoke amounts to jack shit for me. They’re probably the same clowns who throw lit cigarettes out of car windows. Personally I think a four-by-two on the back of the head is preferable to legislation for them.

I don’t know which way to vote. I’m a non-smoker (and an anti-smoker) but think this is the last time I will be supportive of restrictions on smokers. Yes, I will appreciate being able to use the outside tables without having to inhale their stench, but when will it end? If we give governments too much sway with frivolous laws, the power will go to their head.

While I hope this law passes, I also hope someone makes it difficult for them…

drinking is an addiction that’s bad for you and friends shout other people drinks damaging their health too, so are they going to ban alcahol in bars and cafe’s. No they just tax the hell out of it just like ciggies. So if i’m going to pay so much money for something i enjoy then i shouls be able to enjoy it whereever i want.

Ah Bloodnut you funny bugger.

I understand that there are toxins in the air but at least now cigarette smoke will not be one of them, providing of course that smoke can magically stop at the invisible wall erected outside the cafe LOL.

Cigarettes cannot now nor ever be banned because if they were you would open up a huge illegal market for the gaspers. Prohibition does not work but education does unless of course you are a complete goose oh that’s right we are talking about people who knowingly and intentionally inhale cyanide, tar and nicotine and then tell you that mobile phones are bad for you hahahahaha.

It’s obviously no longer about health – you suck in more toxins eating al fresco along Bunda St from cars than smokes.

I’d prefer removal of everything else that offends my senses while eating. Smokers aren’t even in my top ten…

small children.
ugly people.
loud people.
92% opf all australian hip hop.
Americans.

the list goes on….

Shanski_Dee said :

For the love of god!

Either ban it, or leave smokers alone!

Why keep the product on the shelves if your going to ban it everywhere?

Excise.

As a non-smoker, this is getting crazy. I don’t disagree that smoking is anti-social, but it should be up to a business to decide whether it will allow people to partake of this legal activity on its premises.

For all the people who support it, where will your support be when the government decides that behaviour associated with alcohol is unsocial and unhealthy, and it too should be banned in places where children are and where we eat and drink?

If smokers had the common decency not to inflict themselves on everyone else there would be no need to make these laws.

Smokers have brought this on themselves. If they simply moved away from others then there would be no problem.

All the time I see smokers sitting in the middle of a dining area blowing smoke on everyone but themselves. If you can’t control your drug addiction than at least don’t share it with everyone else. Move away, move down wind, don’t blow smoke in the direction of non-smokers, don’t blow smoke into a cafe/restaurant from the outside, don’t smoke in doorways where others have to walk…… etc. etc. etc.

SUCKED IN SMOKERS!!!! You reap what you sow. If you won’t do the decent things yourself, then laws will be put in place to force you to do the right thing.

It would be nice to be able to choose to sit outside instead of having to retreat inside hermetically sealed over-heated or frigidly cold a/c premises just to be able to enjoy a meal or coffee without first looking around for smokers and/or crossing my fingers that someone won’t sit down at the next table and light up.

For the love of god!

Either ban it, or leave smokers alone!

Why keep the product on the shelves if your going to ban it everywhere?

nyssa76 said :

Why don’t they ban car exhaust around cafes and other places where food is served. You’ll suck down more toxins sitting a a main road eating lunch than you would from sitting near a smoker.

I was wondering how long until someone would point out that when youre outdoors, theres always going to be toxins in the air, especially at outdoor eatting areas right by the roadside.

GnT said :

DarkLadyWolfMother said :

It would be easier, and better I think, for a business to deem itself ‘smoking’ or ‘non-smoking’ and let people decide where they’d rather eat/drink/be merry.

The only problem with this model is the workers – it’s an OH&S issue, they have a right to work in a smoke free environment.

If the business has deemed itself as anti-non-smoking, then employees can know upfront. Employment at a certain job isnt a right, if you dont like the business policy then dont work there. An employer shouldnt have to lose business just because some staff dont like some customers. Having worked in customer-service roles before, Ive learned that theres some situations that arent pleasant (uncontrolled kids for example, when will be ban them?), its all part of doing your job. If you dont like it, and its that much of an issue, then go work at a health-spa or a doctors office or something.

Yep, agree with Granny…smoking around food is just plain yuck. Being an ex-smoker myself I wonder now how I ever used to do it…filthy, filthy habit. I pay to taste the meal not the smoke of the customer sitting at the table next to me. Butt out near food please.

About f@#king time!

Funniest spot for this is Baileys corner where people get to suck in bus fumes while eating outdoors.

But at least it’s not cigarette smoke.

Generally the anti-smoking zealots* are those that need a group in society to direct their hate at, and it’s not cool or PC to spew vitriol about niggers, kikes, wops, dagos, dykes and queers anymore. All they’re allowed to vent on about are the smokers. Just an observation.

The zealots will never be happy because zealots never are.

*as opposed to people who just don’t want to breathe smoke.

Smoking in outside eating areas should have been banned when the inside laws came into effect. There’s nothing worse than sitting down wind from a smoker while trying to enjoy a nice meal. Smokers will realise one day that they will be pushed further and further away from everyone if they don’t quit the habit.

As a ex-smoker, I personally don’t care where you smoke. It’s legal.

It’s nice to know with all the crime, school troubles, hospital troubles and more the Government has time on it’s hands to attack something which is LEGAL.

Why don’t they have a go at the druggies who STILL leave needles around or better still, have a go at the druggies for, omg doing something ILLEGAL.

Why don’t they ban car exhaust around cafes and other places where food is served. You’ll suck down more toxins sitting a a main road eating lunch than you would from sitting near a smoker.

The Government representatives needs to wake up to themselves.

Smoking is a disgusting habit. The last thing I need is some filthy smoker sitting downwind from me and and my kids and lighting up a cigar. Don’t care if people want to slowly kill themselves just don’t inflict it on other people.

…and beer gardens can become beer gardens again (instead of freakin smoke gardens)!

Yay! Now I can eat outside again!

Just waiting for them to ban smoking completely now (hint hint Greens).

Smoking around food is just crass and inconsiderate and extremely unpleasant.

DarkLadyWolfMother said :

As a non-smoker, I’m becoming really irritated with the constant clamping down on this legal drug.

It would be easier, and better I think, for a business to deem itself ‘smoking’ or ‘non-smoking’ and let people decide where they’d rather eat/drink/be merry.

The only problem with this model is the workers – it’s an OH&S issue, they have a right to work in a smoke free environment.

Bring the laws on!

Im a non smoker,
I have no issues with smokers outside….
Why dose the government have to screw with us some more, we are not allowed to do anything these days, its just another example of how screwed up Australia and specifically ACT is being screwed up.

If the government keeps cracking down we all may as well go out and smoke cannabis at least its De-criminalized!

Looking forward to it, if it happens. There’s signs up all around Cooleman Court saying no smioking within 5 m of the doorways. Saw a Woolies worker midway between 2 door, probably 5 metres from each.

I think I’m getting more and more sensitive to the smell of smoke as I get less adn less exposure to it!

what’s bugging me is when you are forced by physical restrictions to walk by people who are smoking. for instance at the belconnen mall it seems everytime you use the red bridge people are smoking at each end with no choice but to go right next to them to go by. how about some decency by the smokers and move away from everybody else. its your choice to smoke.

I was wondering why people could still smoke in outdoor eating areas, now I understand the law was only against smoking inside. Well, I reckon it’s about time that’s fixed!

As a non-smoker, I’m becoming really irritated with the constant clamping down on this legal drug.

It would be easier, and better I think, for a business to deem itself ‘smoking’ or ‘non-smoking’ and let people decide where they’d rather eat/drink/be merry.