Very interesting debate on the Kay Addams moring radio show this morning debating SMOKING. Head of the BLF was also on the show.
I wonder since it's a very delicate subject how do we feel about a total ban on smoking knowing what we know and what we are dealing with regarding out disease?
Don't want to get all political and start everyone falling out and getting heating up on it, but what's your view on a UK wide smoking ban.
David 1968
Good for you for giving up, bet you are starting to feel the benifits alread, I know it's hard but it will be the best thing you have ever done for yourself.
David 1968
I think this a tricky one. Now I don't smoke, a total ban wouldn't bother me but I didn't feel that way when I smoked.
I have always agreed with the ban on smoking in public areas, and I didn't mind pub gardens having just a small smoking area with the rest non smoking. To stop people from smoking at all though, is perhaps a step too far especially in their own homes and gardens.
I worry the next step will be banning people from drinking or eating the wrong foods. I know that sounds ridiculous, but so did the idea of any sort of smoking ban 25 years ago!
Lynne x
I feel the same as you Lnne but last year I found out that my Granddaughter has started, I fear for her and has made me think that a total ban might not be such a bad thing if introduced gradually over time. Like you say it is a tricky one.
Not sure what is meant by a total smoking ban, not smoking in enclosed public spaces is enough I think, some even have trouble following the law on that one. Of course it is worrying when a smoker on oxygen smokes anywhere as the risk is not only to themselves it puts others at risk too.
livestrong.com/article/2057...
Another great ban would be no coughing or sneezing in enclosed public spaces 
There is a debate in the UK at the moment where a total ban on smoking altogether anywhere in the UK is being looked at, very interesting dedbate.
If the goverment know (and they do know it's harmfull to all) why do they let smoking continue and why do they take so much money in tax form, they know its bad stuff but still let it be imported-made and sold and consumed by the puplic.
Couldn't make it up with the amount of damage it does and harm it does to others.
Has anyone seen the movie with Russel Crow about the smoking companny (cant remember the name).
David 1968
Hi David,
I strongly agree with Lynne's view on this subject.
Booze is killing far more people than fags ever will, especially when you consider all the secondary victims ( violence, car accidents, stupidity, etc... ).
The government earns too much money to ban booze, so why should fags be any different.
An adult should be able to decide how to kill themself if they so wish for whatever reason they desire, whether it be fags, or any other drug - as long as it doesn't physically affect anyone else.
I am expecting hate mail over this one, please feel free to criticise !
Dave
Cigaretes do harm non smokers, not just smokers.
You could stretch that a bit more and say people under the influence of alcohol often do harm others as well as themselves.
Like Lynne says its a tricky one (or two).
No critism, nor hate mail just reasonable sharing of opinions.
This is what I like "freedom of expression" (that we have to a degree) I am just pleased I don't make the rules as I would always be changing my mind.
How far do we go? ban dangerous sports? I don't know what the answers are and I don't think the powers that be do.
Mudshark if you do get any hate mail I would be surprised, surely we are all adult enough to debate properly. 
Friends it was only an open question, as I said on my top question:
(Don't want to get all political and start everyone falling out and getting heating up on it, but what's your view on a UK wide smoking ban).
David 1968
Yeah, lets ban smoking, just like we banned heroin/cocaine/lsd - killing people & stealing & raping & pillaging etc....... !!!
After all , that worked out well for us didn't it !!!
Or shall we all move to North Korea , then we can all do anything we want to !!!
I do not want to make this country any worse than it already is, if we drive everything underground we will end up with anarchy !!!
It's my party & I'lll smoke if I want to !!!
Regards
OLD MISERY GUTS
Do you still smoke?
I gave up for a couple of months after 40 years of puffing away like an old train.
Occasionlly I give in, when the devil gets the better of me (much to the disgust of my old lady).
I know it doesn't do me any good, and I don't even get that much pleasure from it - but I strongly feel that the choice should be mine & mine alone.
And yes, I would say that even if I didn't give in to the evil weed once in a while.
Take care
Dave
Good for you for giving up never stop trying, your right it is your choice however with your good lady nagging at you it shows how much she cares.
David 1968
Sorry did I actiually type that out loud !!!
I meant no, I don't agree.
Dave
Hi Mudshark
It was just a simple question which I was looking for feedback, thanks for your reply.
David 1968
Thats okay, I'm a simple man.
Take care
Dave
Hi
I loved smoking and never gave it a minute's thought of giving up, I started smoking at 16is and gave up in 2010. Now having COPD I like all other smokers with a smoking related disease wish I had never started.
I seen all the smoking warning-adverts-horrid pictures on the packets however still never thought it would happen to me!!!
For me now I guess it's education awerness from an early age (well early within reason) I think school kids should be educated on the harm of smoking and what it can do to others, let everyone make up there own mind as long as there is as very good standart of education awerness and there is an option given!!!
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink it.
I would like to see smoking more policed regarding where to smoke, age limit to purchase fags and price of fags.
David 1968
Hi david,
I believe its up to an individual whether they smoke or not.i take it you smoked for years and never gave it a thought (like we all did) but what if someone said to you when you had no illnesses and were feeling fine that they were going to stop you from smoking,im sure you wouldnt have been happy about it,like most of us.i actually enjoyed smoking before i developed COPD and ASTHMA and if anyone tried to tell me how to lead my life and DICTATE what i done i know i wouldnt be happy.how do you think these politicians and news reporters would react if i told them that i didnt want them drinking their expensive wines and champagnes?i know what my answer would be,so what gives them the right to tell anyone what they can and cant do?dont get me wrong i wish i had never started smoking but i did and it was my mistake and no one elses and i had all the warning signs,my dad had emphysema but it didnt stop me.education at an early age would be a good idea but all these debates and smoking bans are totally wrong (in my opinion).ex smokers are the worst sometimes the way they react to someone smoking.because they managed to give up doesnt mean because they did then smoking should be banned.why not go the whole hog and make it a criminal offense to smoke anywhere.The taxes on fags goes to the goverment (probably billions a year) so where are those billions going to come from to make up the shortfall in the economy?sorry for going on but it should be left to the individual what he or she does with their life
Thanks
Stuart
Well not sure about a complete ban. All I can say is I was dx with non cf bronchiectasis in 1948 age 5 months old. We weren't as enlightened as we are now re ciggies (indeed they were glamorous and the majority smoked, including my dad). I even had a go for about a month when about 13 with Consolate he, but luckily I just puffed and blew and didn't like it anyway. So all my life I have travelled on smoke filled buses, worked in smoked filled offices and gone to all the seedy and not so seedy clubs and pubs where I was bombarded with other folks smoke. Even smokey in the the hospital toilets. So I just love being able to go on public transport and go for a meal to a pub and be able to breath without coughing my guts up.
Don't attack me - just saying it as I found it all my life.
XXX
Thanks for all wh joined in n the question asked.
Just wanted good hnest feedback.
Thanks
David 1968
I don't think there should be a complete ban on smoking,i started smoking at 12 (i know) and over the years have stopped,my longest stint was 6 and half years,but started again,then stopped on and off for months at a time,at present i,ve done 30 days of not smoking, only got the news of copd earlier this year which is moderate,so as i class my self as a former smoker i woud never tell some one they can't i'd just hope they don't live to regret it,
hiya David 1968
well i started smoking when i was 20 and im know 43 and as we all know i have copd as i was told last october 2011 and ive stopped smoking although it aint easy....
i was very pleased with the smoking ban in pubs and that here in Scotland as its nice to go out and eat in a smoke free place and that's how i felt when i was smoking about the ban in pubs and that.
but well i think although we/you /i are ill with smoking its not upto the government to tell people wot to do and lets be honest it wont happen a uk wide public ban as the government make far too much money from it that they need it so lets not all be silly and think its going to happen because it simple.why do you think they like the smuggled fags in and out so much here in the uk?............
you think about it then come back with a answer then you will get the part of why it wont ever be stopped.
many thanks
Roger
Thanks for the healthy debate on this topic it was good to get all involved views.
Thanks
David 1968
Confused messages from the Dr
Loosing weight and getting very thin!
Hyperinflation of lungs
Very breathless lying down
Chest infection & return flight on Wednesday. Advice please
