Smoking curbs: The global picture

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Smoking bans around the world as governments seek to improve the health of their populations.

Europe:

no-smoking-pt.blogspot.com/...

Source: BBC News

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Although I have quit smoking myself, my stance on the ban has not changed.

I am a keen pub-goer and I have noticed personally that the ban has only succeeded in bringing smokers closer together and more defiant. Pubs and clubs have definitely suffered from the effects as more people stay at home (which is a crying shame IMO), most non-smokers who I have spoken to that use pubs and clubs have said that they weren't and wouldn't have been bothered about people smoking. A few places have odour problems now that the smokey smell is gone. There have even been reports of people taking up smoking who didn't previously as they were sick of being sat on their own whilst their pals all congregated outside.

In pubs and clubs, the ban has so far had no positive effects and I don't foresee it doing so. I strongly disagree on the government's imposed outright ban. I think it should have been approached in a more informed manner.

I intended to quit on July 1st but that only lasted a few days since I very quickly got fed up of being sat on my own inside.

Fortunately, a lot of the friends I drink with right now don't smoke and so I find it easier.

Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating smoking or trying to undermine anyone who may feel that the ban has improved their quit (although I would be interested to hear from anyone who does find this). All I disagree with is the ban itself.