Irish smokers should defend themselves more

I'm 6 weeks off smoking and hope I dont turn into one of those ponticating do-gooders that anti smokers sometimes are . In defence of smoking , I find usually the more interesting characters are smokers , and ther is always more fun in the smoking section of bars , rather than the more sterile healthy smoke free zones (the kind of place you'd find Minister Reilly) . Everyting in excess kills us, and we all are going to die , wish they just lumped cigarettes in with heroin , hash, and ecsatsy and just banned them alltogether.

thebaz wrote: »

I'm 6 weeks off smoking and hope I dont turn into one of those ponticating do-gooders that anti smokers sometimes are . In defence of smoking , I find usually the more interesting characters are smokers , and ther is always more fun in the smoking section of bars , rather than the more sterile smoke free zones. Everyting in excess kills us, and we all are going to die , wish they just lumped cigarettes in with heroin , hash, and ecsatsy and just banned them alltogether.

Yeah, as you get further along the road of not being an addict, you will begin to recognise the lies that addicts tell themselves and others about their habit.

ThePieintheSky wrote: »

I also find it hilarious getting the UAE thing thrown at me when I want to bring something like this up at home. The UAE is more liberal and safer than Ireland is in many different ways. I know some won't believe that but I live here and I can say that is 100% the case. It's a grand place. So many misconceptions.

You are just saying this because you are concerned about their monitoring of internet usage and their dim view they take on people bad-mouthing their country, aren't you?

No need to confirm, we understand!

E-cigs are great. Think I've been on 'em two years now.

Seachmall wrote: »

I know a few people who've tried them, all went back to the fags.

Not all e-cigs are created equal. The people I've known (in person) who tried them are ones who tried the disposable ones. The disposable ones, you pay about 7.50 - 8 euros and it will last less than a regular pack of cigs. And the battery is crap. Barely lasts a couple of hours. So, if you were out on a night drinking, it'd die. So, what would people do then? Go to the vending machine and buy a pack of cigs. No one who was sensible would make a habit out of the disposable e-cigs.

You can get better ones either online or in some tobacconists or dedicated e cig shops. The prices, obviously are better online, but you don't get to see what you are buying. It's an enthusiast thing, really, or knowing someone who knows something about it, or going to the forum here and reading up about it. I don't know all that much about 'em and I've been on 'em two years, so someone who hasn't even heard about them, well it isn't very accessible.

Edit: I've gotten some people to try out the proper e-cigs, and they've kept it up. And one of 'em has even gotten a friend of his on to them. They're getitng pretty popular. Last year, I was getting a lot of "what the hell is that?" whereas now I'm getting a lot more of a "is that an e-cig? I've seen people using them" than I had previously.

ThePieintheSky wrote: »

On the whole campus? You think that's a clever thing to do? What are smokers suppose to do - get a bus to the entrance, stand there, get a bus back - every hour or whatever?

.

Having spent time ( years ) on smoke free campus' around the world, I can say from personal experience, I would much prefer the idea to be implemented campus wide, rather from designated zones. Aside from butts on the ground, it generally creates a 'cleaner' campus. Although it will always cause controversy, as smokers, or non smokers will feel victimized in some way shape or form.


Anyway, a majority voted in favor of the introduction of a campus wide ban, so the 'majority' of students [who voted] felt it was the right move.

ThePieintheSky wrote: »

I should have put a poll in. Would have been interested to know the percentage that actually agree with banning smoking on the ENTIRE UCD campus (like right up to the entrance/exit gates).

Put one up in a new thread. I predict an 80% in favour result.

ThePieintheSky wrote: »

Tiny minority end up in that situation. I am not a smoker but I can see that smokers are being demeaned and isolated.

It's a large group of the population. And most smokers to my knowledge don't smoke by choice. It's an addiction.

With Champix and Vaping both very easily available, it's a choice, come off it.