UK pub finds smoking ban loophole.

liah wrote: »

Hitler wasn't an atheist.

as it happens, it's not widely known, but he wasn't a strict vegetarian either

*edit*

I think i should confess here, that I'm kind of playing devils advocate with the militant anti-smokers tbh. I actually don't really have a problem with the ban, and in terms of protecting people who have to work in pubs, it's a law that's a step in the right direction. I've done some dangerous jobs in the past, and was often not issued protective equipment, because my employer was not obliged to do so. So in that respect, it's a good law.

My only real gripe about it is the way it was enforced. A smoking room where staff cannot serve you drinks would have been fair enough imo. If you want to risk smoking, as an individual, thats fair enough, and doesn't compromise ones freedom to choose. So in short, my issue is with lack of freedom to choose, and not undying (or dying) love for cigarettes, after all, even I admit, it's a smelly and unpleasant habit, but i'd like to be able to indulge in it if I want to, without being made feel like a leper.

liah wrote: »

Anyway, pubs back home in Canada have survived just fine, and we've had the smoking ban in effect for years. And trust me, it gets a lot colder there than Ireland.

True, but when the alternative is going inside and listening to Rush, Bryan Adams and William Shatner's Greatest Hits on the Jukebox, I know where I'd be.*

*disclaimer: I actually like Rush

hey is there no smoking ban in scotland or NI then?

liah wrote: »

From my experience most normal smokers sit inside the majority of the night, and only go outside when they need a smoke.. Hardly counts as sitting outside and not moving for four hours. Don't know what the hell kind of masochistic smokers you hang out with.

well tbh the reason we sit outside because about 95% of the people I drink with, smoke. I don't know them very long, only since the ban, and that's how we all got to know each other. The local has one of the best smoking areas in dublin, no exaggeration, it's a great job, and it's consequently full, all of the time, so if we don't grab ourselves a table, we're splitting the group up unnecessarily. It's easier to just sit outside.

it's definitely not beyond our capability to not smoke for longer periods. Quiz night on thursdays (which we've won 8 weeks in a row. Not bad for people who are apparently 'slow' ) is one example. we're so distracted, we bearly think about smoking, so it is largely psychological i guess.

liah wrote: »

Probably just want an excuse to complain.

naw, seriously, i'm just playing devils advocate, see post #33

bluewolf wrote: »

Don't bloody sit out there for 4 hours then
nobody is forcing you to smoke either

well yeah, we know all that, but you see i think the approach they had with this is fundamentally flawed.

I think it's in human nature to resist rules, bullying, lecturing. I honestly believe, that if their approach had been more psychologically clever, it would be more effective in motivating people to quit.

For example, i believe it's easier to convince somebody of something, when they have a few drinks on them, yes? no? So have a smoking room with subtle messages/signs/posters with information on how to quit smoking. I believe, this way, it is more likely to sink in. Also, if staff are not allowed into this room to clean ashtrays, it's going to look, and smell pretty disgusting after a few weeks. If this room was never redecorated either, the effects of the smoke on the walls and paintwork would become evident, compared with the rest of the pub.

Have discreet notices on the walls saying things like:

"If you think this room is disgusting, imagine what your lungs look like"

"staff are not allowed serve you drinks in this room, because they don't want to get lung cancer and die"

"It's nice to spend time together dying"

or on the door entering the smoking room, a sign saying:

Caution! this room contains *insert list of chemicals contained in cigarettes*

and finally, paint a mural like This on the ceiling, and an advertisement or two for the local Funeral Home.

well?

Gyalist wrote: »

A few years ago there was a massage parlour on Aungier Street in Dublin with a discreet brass nameplate that read "Executive Stress Relief".

Oh, that's nothing, there's a garage near me run by non-nationals that exclaims 'HAND JOB €6' in the context of car valeting (reminds self of take a picture of it tomorrow).

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Beer gardens only appeared since the smoking ban arrived? Oh please. Beer gardens have always been for everyone

Where did I say any different?

The air inside the pub is sometimes cleaner than the air in the beer garden.