The Big Saturday Debate.

[NoMercy]

Should smoking be reintroduced in public places such as cafes, bars and restaurants?

[katerich48]

Yes

[Bobbisox]

I think it should NM and I am a non-smoker
I think it looks awful when shop people and other workers are standing huddled in the rain to keep their fags dry :o0) it goes back when the men from the pits used to stand in groups outside to have a smoke..lol

[NoMercy]

Trouble is guys, I gave up smoking and stayed smoke free for 20 weeks. But in the run up to leaving Spain, I was so stressed, I lit up a cig and I haven't stopped since. If I were to go into a bar or restaurant that permitted smoking, I would sit there smoking loads. If I had to keep going outside, I don't think I'd bother. And it is nice to walk into somewhere that doesn't stink to high heaven.

[Sqad]

Absolutely, get them back, so that when one wants a meal to enjoy, then you can smell the fragrance of bloody cigarettes..........yepp and all this about lung cancer and passive smoking...........get them back in as soon as possible.

[Bobbisox]

a smoking room would be ok in these places tho' NM but then I suppose the insurance would double!

[Bobbisox]

what's the law in Menorca sqad?

[NoMercy]

I think Spain finally outlawed smoking (or ironed out the loopholes) on 1st July this year. I'd left by then, so can't be sure.

[Bobbisox]

yes but I am told they aren't as PC as we lot here are NM..lol

[sandyRoe]

No. The law should stay as it is. In time people will come to see smoking in the same light as public drunkenness.

[Sqad]

Spain has outlawed, smoking in public places BUT in Menorca, for some obscure reason, a restaurant or cafe can apply to allow smoking. Some have, some haven´t and if anybody could explain this odd ruling, I would be obliged.

[Bobbisox]

if they, the smokers, are in a room desiccated to them Sandy, I couldn't see them being anywhere near as horrible as a load of drunks?

[sandyRoe]

A smoker in the same room as you could poison you. Unless the drunks attacked you they'd do you no harm

[NoMercy]

They certainly are not, Bobbi, but there is the issue of lung cancer and passive smoking as Sqad quite rightly pointed out. Spain are getting tough with the whole health care system. The Ex pats can no longer get free healthcare. I was NIE when I was over there, but my ex was NIF (self-employed) and so he had to pay 241 euros a month into the system.

The other side of the argument is the financial drawback for all the publicans and restauranteurs.

[Bobbisox]

Sandy, they wouldn't be in the same room?

[Bobbisox]

Don't misundersatnd my take on this, I am a non smoker of many years and wouldn't touch the evil weed, but all it has done , is to send people onto the corners and pavements

[NoMercy]

Sqad... I've no idea why that is. That's news to me. What's the name of the Interior Health Minister...? I can't bloody remember his name.

When I first went to Spain, a pack of 20 L&Ms were 2.25. 4 years later they were 3.35 approx. Quite an increase.

[sandyRoe]

You know what smokers are like. Staggering about, looking for trouble, and full of aggro. Or is it that I only see drunk smokers?

[Bobbisox]

our Government here have spent millions decrying the 'weed'
but are more than happy to tax them!

[Sqad]

Bobbi....even if the room for smokers was 30 metres away, one could still smell the smoke. Just try walking past smokers who are standing outside smoking, the smell is appalling.

When are citizens of the UK going to get it......Smoking Damages your Health.?

I have no objection to them damaging their own health, but I do object to them damaging mine.

[pastafreak]

No!.....it should not be brought back.Smoking is a choice,not a right. I see no reason why it should be made easy for smokers. As for smoking out of doors...maybe councils should have designated outdoor 'smoking rooms'...so the punters do not have to stand in doorways, or loiter on the street....thus intimidating passers-by.