(by 4 people)
How Can A Compromise Be Reached?
I feel it is imperative that I begin by pointing out that this is by no means a site dedicated to encouraging people to start smoking, discouraging smokers from stopping smoking, or in any way creating the impression that smoking is an acceptable social practice!
The whole point of this work is to look at the way in which smokers have in a very real sense been victimised by new legislation in a great many countries around the world in recent years and how we may perhaps look at redressing the balance in a manner which would be acceptable to everyone concerned. This is a work dedicated to freedom, human rights and civil liberties. It is a work dedicated to a group of people, millions strong, who have shouldered a wholly disproportionate and grossly unfair tax burden for many years. It is dedicated to those people who now find themselves virtually ostracised from society simply because of a habit they have - in many instances - practised perfectly legally for decades...
What is on this site?
- The Bavarian Solution
- Smokers of the World Unite!
- My Experiences under The Smoking Ban
- How Can I Make A Difference?
- The Human Rights of Smokers
- Should Greater Provision be made for Smokers?
- Blog Posts from Google on The Smoking Bans
- What Advice is Available to me if I Want to Stop Smoking?
- So You've Decided You Want to Quit Smoking...
- Vote now!!!
- What did you think?
The Bavarian Solution
Surely this is fair to all parties concerned?
The smoking ban in all enclosed public places and buildings came into effect in Germany on 1st January 2008. At that time, a group of Bavarian pub/bar owners - some 2,700 strong - were permitted to sign up to a scheme whereby they could continue to permit smoking in their premises but only serve patrons in possession of a special "licence." In order to obtain such a licence, individuals have to complete an application form and pay an annual fee of 12 Euros. They are subsequently issued with a membership card for the scheme. Only people in possession of such a card are permitted to frequent the subscribed establishments.I suppose in a sense it is quite a risk for a proprietor to take in becoming part of this venture as he or she is of course denying themselves a considerable part of their potential customer base. Probably for this reason, my research has revealed that member establishments tend to be in suburban or outlying areas where the landlord knows his customers and what the majority of them want.
If you are familiar with the German language (Deutsche), click here to visit the scheme's home page and find more information.
Smokers of the World Unite!
Display your sense of injustice!
Wear your grievance for all to see; display it on your wall or your coffee-mug at work; send it as part of your postal communications! Click here to visit the online store that provides a fantastic range of items at knockdown prices to draw attention to the plight of smokers worldwide. Shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, posters and lots, lots more quality items at unbeatable prices! My Experiences under The Smoking Ban
How has it affected me personally?
I should perhaps begin here by pointing out that I am in the process of attempting to give up smoking but this does not detract my attention from the issues discussed on this site. The reasons for my stopping smoking are numerous but in no way relate to governmental legislation!The morning of Sunday 24th March 2006 (the date that the ban was introduced in Scotland) saw me staying away for the weekend with a group of friends in a rural hotel. The weather on the previous two days had been reasonable but when I woke up on the Sunday morning, hungover and desperately in need of a cigarette before breakfast, the rain was bouncing several feet off the pavements! I was the only smoker in our party and it was to the warped amusement of my friends that I was forced to brave the elements in order to feed my habit. Incredibly, to make matters worse, I was unable to find anything resembling shelter around the entire perimeter of the hotel and received a thorough soaking!
How Can I Make A Difference?
What can I do to promote the rights and interests of smokers?
Click here to find out how to go about contacting your United Kingdom MP.
Click here to find out how to go about contacting your United States' Congressman/woman.
Click here to find out how to go about contacting your Canadian MP.
Click here to find out how to go about contacting your relevant Australian Representative.
Click here to find out how to go about contacting your New Zealand MP.
My apologies if I have not provided a pointer as to how to go about contacting your local representative in the particular country in which you reside. I hope you will understand that it is not possible here to provide an exhaustive list.
Finally, please take into account that even if the prejudice against smokers is not as intense in your part of the world as it has become in the United Kingdom...how much longer is that guaranteed to be the case?
The Human Rights of Smokers
Organisations dedicated to championing same
- FOREST Online Home Page
- A haven for smokers and non-smokers who believe in freedom of choice, market forces, and commercial freedom of speech
- The Smokers Club, Inc.
- The United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter
- Smoking Lobby Forum for Smokers Rights and Smoking Bans
- Smoking Lobby is an online forum advocating smokers rights to smoke and fight smoking bans worldwide.
Should Greater Provision be made for Smokers?
I have no doubt that feelings will run very high on this issue and that opinions will be extremely varied. Why not give us yours below and I will feature as many of the best ones here as possible.
Fetching blurbs now... please stand by
sarahjjac says:
I am a smoker, who would also like to give it up, but that doesn't mean I do not totally agree with you. I think the smoking bans are crap. There should be designated smoking areas to accomidate customers who smoke. And how can they say we can't smoke in outdoor areas? argh
Posted August 25, 2008
RedSportNiac says:
I was a smoker but finally smoke free almost 4 years after 20 years of heavy smoking. I have to stop because my health is getting worsen yet I haven't accomplished anything in life. So I stopped cold turkey on my birthday 4 years ago after failing numerous time before. In my opinion smoking is just a form of releasing the stress we had. It is a sign of weaknesses but we never realized that.
I never thought I could lose the urge to smoke but I guess I was wrong. Actually I don't mind be around smoking people but when a closed place is full with smoke it is not a pretty site indeed. Anyhow I don't agree it has to be total ban. It is the society that create stress so there should be place for smokers to reduce that stress. Educate them about the danger there are putting themselves in but do it while they are at ease not while in more stressful environment.
Posted July 04, 2008
RedSportNiac says:
I was a smoker but finally smoke free almost 4 years after 20 years of heavy smoking. I have to stop because my health is getting worsen yet I haven't accomplished anything in life. So I stopped cold turkey on my birthday 4 years ago after failing numerous time before. In my opinion smoking is just a form of releasing the stress we had. It is a sign of weaknesses but we never realized that.
I never thought I could lose the urge to smoke but I guess I was wrong. Actually I don't mind be around smoking people but when a closed place is full with smoke it is not a pretty site indeed. Anyhow I don't agree it has to be total ban. It is the society that create stress so there should be place for smokers to reduce that stress. Educate them about the danger there are putting themselves in but do it while they are at ease not while in more stressful environment.
Posted July 04, 2008
Blog Posts from Google on The Smoking Bans
What others have to say...in favour, of or against!
- Jim Holperin Favors smoking ban!
- Marshall: I will support a statewide smoking ban. However, since this is not just a health issue, but one of economic impact on small taverns, and one that limits personal freedom to use a legal product sanctioned by our government, ...
- Smoking ban nothing new at area colleges
- PARKERSBURG - Although a smoking ban has been recently enacted for restaurants and bars in Wood County, local colleges have been smoke-free for several years. Glenville State College has banned tobacco products and smoking for more than ...
- Owners clear the air over smoking ban
- Some Valley bars and restaurants say the statewide smoking ban has not hurt business -- but not every one.
- Atlantic City to Have Seven-Day Smoking Ban
- Thus, the ban will be in effect from Oct. 15 until Oct. 22, when the council is expected to finally approve a one-year delay ( at all Casinos ) . ? Four casinos owned by Harrah's Entertainment say they will go smoke-free on the gambling ...
What Advice is Available to me if I Want to Stop Smoking?
- Stop smoking start living - Home
- This website contains detailed information about the free NHS support services, and videos from real quitters talking about what worked for them. You can find out about all of the options and make the right choice for you.
- Tips To Help You Stop Smoking
- Stopping smoking is not easy. This site contains many tips which may help you to stop smoking.
- QUIT: The UK Charity that helps people give up smoking - 0800 00 22 00
- QUIT is the UK's national charity that helps people give up smoking.
- Quit Smoking | OSH | CDC
- Advice from Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Quit smoking helplines, charities and organisations in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
- A list of major English-speaking charities, helplines and organisations for people who want to give up smoking and need further help or advice from around the world.
So You've Decided You Want to Quit Smoking...
How do you go about it?
There are an infinite number of potions, pills and remedies available to buy either in shops/stores or online claiming to help people stop smoking. Ask any smoker, however, what their biggest barrier is to quitting and a great many will tell you that overcoming the habit and the desire to smoke is a far greater problem than the physical addiction.That is why this revolutionary new e-book - which tackles the desire to smoke - could be the answer to many people's dreams. Click here for more information...
Vote now!!!
What did you think?
If you have anything to add to this site which has not been covered above, please feel free to include it in the space below.
Thank you for your time and your visit.
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Jenysie
Very well written! 5 *'s!!! It's very informative as well! Thanks so much for sharing your intelligence with the world! Posted October 09, 2008 |
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Zackfaire
i love the lens. here's something that i would like to share with you guys. Posted September 12, 2008 |
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sarahjjac
Love the lens! 5*'s Posted August 25, 2008 |
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RedSportNiac
Congratulation for being the new Giant Squid. Nice work. Posted July 04, 2008 |
