Smokers in clubs

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 12:56 PM

Roy Hudd is alive, Rod Hull is dead, but I dont think he died from passive emu.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 12:29 PM

Re. Musket's penultimate post and causes of death.
How many people actually die from an o.d. of morphine?
(A blessing, I should add).

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 12:21 PM

There are many other social ills which we could address. We could look at society in general and consider discrimination whether sexual, ethnic, gender, race, creed, colour or class. I would suggest that if the same people who make such a fuss about passive smoking kicked up a fuss about these ills something may be done to change the situation and I for one would happily jump on their band wagon

Dear Raggytash... I hear you. I am a gay woman who has taken the abuse, even on these hallowed pages, for taking a stand against hate and bigotry (as have many of the straight and gay members of Mudcat over time). I sing about straight and gay issues just as equally as I can. I know the subject very well. But I am not advocating any social exclusion here. I started the thread to ask if other people are affected by the smoke and the smell as much as I seem to be. It would appear they are.

But believe me when I say this is not coming from any bigotry or hatred.

I wish all minorities well because, as individuals, we are all a minority of one :)

mp

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Musket
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 10:41 AM

Yes but it strains your voice to shout, as standing near them isn't nice.

I too have a few friends around who still smoke. Not as many I used to have but some are dead, some have given up smoking. They are still friends but friends who aren't quite as nice as other friends to stand close to at times.

Absolutely nothing to do with the OP. The question was about smoking around others. People can defend it all they like, but smokers really do have to take on board the fact that it stinks far more now than it used to. The smell has not changed chemically, but peoples' olfactory senses have.

At one time, if you got your car keys out after a skinful, friends warned you that you might get caught. The same friends might warn you now that you could cause an accident and kill others as well as yourself. Society changes and smokers have to get used to the fact that consideration for others is the norm now. Society has got a hell of a lot better. Those who speak of nanny state are usually complaining that their opportunity for boorish behaviour is being reduced.

I'd make them class A. I am also on record for proposing an idea that anybody who on a certain date around now was 16 or under relinquishes the automatic right to free NHS care for smoking related illness in future. To do that, we need to tighten up on passive smoking too.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 10:04 AM

Yes, well said HiLo.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 08:59 AM

" however it would seem that certain individuals are trying to make me and all other smokers social pariahs"
I don't think anybody is - you are being asked to smoke where it can't adversely harm anybody else.
Those who refuse to see the reasons for this and demand to be allowed to adversely affect all our healths are the ones who should be granted 'pariah' status
There are many other social ills we could address, but this particular one is within the realms of possibility of our doing something about it - and it is the subject of this thread.
The claim that passive smoking causes cancer is certainly open to challenge, but the fact that it is both offensive and unhealthy to all is not.
I do hope this issue is not dismissed in the interests of the few, as were the warnings of global warming
From the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
"When all the evidence, including the important new data reported in this issue of the Journal, is assessed, the inescapable scientific conclusion is that ETS is a low-level lung carcinogen. Thus, the reduction in risk of lung cancer following cessation of exposure to ETS in the IARC study is a hopeful sign and suggests that measures aimed at the reduction of smoking may benefit not only smokers but also persons with whom they live and work."
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 08:36 AM

Dear GUEST; just to clear away a few of your assumptions..I do not support the tobacco industry..not sure how you managed to come to that conclusion. I am fully in favour of the ban in public places. I have been a performer and have done so in many a smoke filled room. However, I am against the judgemental shite that passes for protecting ones "Space". I have many friends who smoke, I would never abandon a good friend because of the how they smell. My friends who smoke are kind and decent people who are very considerate and do not force the habit on anyone.
what I am against is the nastiness of some posters here, people who, in their own perfection, are so intolerant of others...these are the ones I would avoid in clubs, or anywhere else for that matter.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,Mick Tems (heb cwci)
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 08:30 AM

Nobody has mentioned that Forest ("the pro drug addict lobby group") is heavily supported by the tobacco industry.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 08:28 AM

Musket please don't take umbrage with me. There are numerous people who shout from the rooftops ad nauseam about their particular beef.

I am merely pointing out the fact that Roy Castle did not die of passive smoking. I will be persuaded that his frequent contact with second hand smoke may have contributed in some part to his premature death and it is good that we take measures to avoid that.

Wherefore I have a right to smoke I do not have a right to inflict it upon others ........... however it would seem that certain individuals are trying to make me and all other smokers social pariahs. The level of contact with smoke from someone smoking in the street must be miniscule but still they carry on what seems to some as an almost mindless vendetta.

There are many other social ills which we could address. We could look at society in general and consider discrimination whether sexual, ethnic, gender, race, creed, colour or class. I would suggest that if the same people who make such a fuss about passive smoking kicked up a fuss about these ills something may be done to change the situation and I for one would happily jump on their band wagon.

However experience tells me that it is unlikely that this will happen. A little tolerance goes a long way.

Just as an example I had a woman have a go at me in one of the local folk clubs just because I was rolling a cigarette. I was very tempted to suggest that as she had the equipment she could be a prostitute. I didn't but I was tempted.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Musket
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 08:07 AM

It takes them longer if I drop my trousers and crimp one off on their carpet...

"Roy Castle didn't die of passive smoking, he died of lung cancer."

Quite......

(If you must be so pedantic, he most probably died of pneumonia. Most people dying of cancer actually expire through another cause, and it is no certainty which is primary on the death certificate. Cause of death as opposed to causes of what got you to a death situation in the first place. Many old people die because they never quite become active again after a fall resulting in fractured neck of femur. Did they die of an infection? frail heart? Or did they die of an uneven pavement two months ago?)

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 07:29 AM

MtheGM (rare I agree with him) finds it discourteous to ask a guest to his home to go out to smoke, and I too find the discrimination here more distasteful than I find smoke.

It takes about three weeks for the smell of just one cigarette to go away if somebody smokes in our house. I'm going to carry on discriminating.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Johnny J
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 07:29 AM

There are some scurrilous rumours out there that Roy Castle used to enjoy an occasional cigar.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 07:07 AM

From the National Cancer Institute

"Secondhand smoke (also called environmental tobacco smoke, involuntary smoke, and passive smoke) is the smoke given off by a burning tobacco product and the smoke exhaled by a smoker.
At least 69 chemicals in secondhand smoke are known to cause cancer.
Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in nonsmokers.
Secondhand smoke has also been associated with heart disease in adults and sudden infant death syndrome, ear infections, and asthma attacks in children.
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke."
'The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation' was set up to combat the effects of passive smoking - coincidence maybe; perhaps he intended his money to be donated to Battersea Dogs Home
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 06:30 AM

Roy Castle did not die of passive smoking, Roy Castle died of lung cancer. As far as I am aware passive smoking is not a disease nor can it be given as a cause of death in itself. But hey ho, why let facts get in the way of a good whinge.

Before anyone asks I was a very heavy smoker, stopped for NINE Years, got a job in the Health Service and started again and am now suffering the consequences of doing that.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Johnny J
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 06:18 AM

I should add that, since the smoking ban, I can get two or three extra "wears" out of my clothes although I will still change my underwear, socks and shirts on a daily basis. However, trousers, jumpers and so on can now be worn for longer.

Before the smoking ban, I would always have to wash all my clothes each time after going into smoky bars, clubs etc and I was a NON smoker!

However, if smokers don't wash or change their clothes regularly it's very noticeable although not necessarily to themselves.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Musket
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 06:15 AM

I haven't heard any bigoted views here Bridge. Smoking kills, Smoking lowers your medical quality of life. Smoking legitimatises smoking in the eyes of impressionable young people. Smoking creates an unnecessary, note the word, unnecessary unpleasant odour that is also carcinogenic.

Even now with other life limiting factors such as junk food and sedentary lifestyle, smoking is the main reason why I look out of my office window and see a tower block full of wards and clinics stacked to the gills with sick and prematurely dying people. Mortality rates may be 100% if you are patient enough, but premature mortality? Better to upset a few people who don't mind upsetting others if it's all the same to you.

Nobody smokes in our house either. Unless they want me to go round to theirs and shit on their Axminster.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Johnny J
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 06:02 AM

From what I can gather, the OP was complaining about the smell emanating from smokers, i.e. their clothes, breath, body odour as opposed to the actual act of smoking. Jack referred to this as well.

I too would object to smoking in an enclosed place and it also irritates me to see smokers hanging around outside pub doors and so on but they have to go somewhere.

However, it wouldn't really matter where they smoked AT ALL if the issue is the lingering "after smell". To an extent, this can obviously be ameliorated to an extent if a smoker regular wears fresh clothes and so on unless even the slightest whiff of stale tobacco smoke etc upsets everyone so much.

However, if it's the latter, then it would seem that there is nowhere for a smoker to go and he or she are not welcome anywhere in public if they have been smoking previously that day. In my opinion, that seems very harsh.

As I say, moderate smokers with respect for others and their own hygiene do not trouble me at all. Many of my friends and others "nip out" for a smoke or I am aware that they are smokers but they don't all smell. Only a small minority. Of course, I may may not have the most sensitive nose.
:-)

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 05:46 AM

Well, no, there are several of us here who are not so judgmental. MtheGM (rare I agree with him) finds it discourteous to ask a guest to his home to go out to smoke, and I too find the discrimination here more distasteful than I find smoke. I'm a non-smoker (of many years, maybe about 30) but I'm not a bigot.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 05:45 AM

That's the one
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Johnny J
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 05:41 AM

He's still alive as far as I know. Are you thinking about Roy Castle?

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 04:34 AM

The talented English comedian, Roy Hudd, died from passive smoking.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 03:40 AM

Apart from the simple realuity, HiLo, the statistics show that of 57 postings prior to this, you're the only one to support the tobacco industry. You also don't seem to be a performer. Perhaps you might consider that with that weight of evidence, you might be a little less self-righteous?

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 03:15 AM

I stopped smoking completely in 1982 but prior to that my 20 No6 or pouch of Condor sliced was as essential folk club equipment to me as a guitar or concertina would be to others. The smoke in a folk or jazz club never bothered me but I voted along with others at our club to impose a voluntary smoking ban in the club room some fifteen years or so ago. However now with the total smoking ban (something I am seriously opposed to) we now have the joys of the smoking shelter and at our present club location this is situated just below the club room. Now, as the warm nights are coming on, sure as Hell someone will want the windows open on a club night and we will have the pleasure of trying to listen to an expensive guest above the inane cackle emanating from the smoker's refuge. In comparison give me a roomful tobacco smoke any time.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 02:42 AM

You are missing nothing Jim.

All the apologists for selfishness can pick and mix their tired arguments from Forest, the pro drug addiction UK lobby group.

Before anti social behaviour was criminalised in public indoor areas, there used to be folk club not a million miles away from me called No Smoke Folk.

Very popular, very crowded. Very good.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 02:31 AM

The question of personal hygiene is a total red herring to this discussion.
Yes, those who don't wash, or overdose with perfume etc... can be offensive, but someone who indulges in a recreational habit, no matter how addictive, that is undeniably unhealthy to the extent of being lethal to themselves and those forced to share their habit, does so from choice.
Nobody is asking that they be "banned", just that they practice their habit where it doesn't effect those of us who don't wish to share it - that doesn't seem particularly unreasonable or intolerant to me.
I'm a bronchitic who loves folk music; it seems outrageously unfair that I should be asked to stay away from my music because somebody who has had the bad luck and bad judgement to get hooked on a lethal habit and can't be bothered to make the effort to step outside whenever they feel the urge to shoot up.
Am I missing something here?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 01:30 AM

Do people still smoke on buses?

Very rarely. But they do bring the pong onboard with them. Quite often they'll stand at the stop smoking and only drop their fag as they step on the bus.

Some smokers pong badly enough that you can smell them from halfway along the bus as they get on.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 04:26 PM

Apologies. I sent before putting my name in...

The last post was mine

mp

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 04:24 PM

"And oh yes, surely there are people who are "sensitive " to those who deep fat fry..fat people and people who work in chip shops, let us ban them..and those who eat too much curry or garlic...my god, you may sneeze or, god forbid, go home reeking of food you don.t like. And what abour those who have habits or personal hygene that differ from your..hurl the buggers out.. I refuse to be exposed to those who offend me . Get rid of those insecure short men who wear after shave by the gallon, the floozies whose idea of dressing up is to lather up with a half gallon of evening in Paris..Juysus, can't have them in pubs or clubs....And of course there are those who reek of petrol because they can't walk anywhere and there are those who start these hateful threads and then claim not to want to offend anyone when all you have done is shone a light in the crack where the insufferable and the intolerant hide.

I am sorry you feel that way Guest Hilo. There is nothing at all hateful in what I am spoken of here and I think everyone has been well mannered and polite in giving pints of view, as you do now.

Yes there are odours out there all the time and some people smell. I hear what you are saying. There are two perfumes that knock me flying if I smell them on another woman. So I empathise. But no-one is on about banning anyone here. I never saw anyone advocating banning the ones who wreak of tobacco.

This was an enquiry to see if I was being awful or if it affected others. It obviously affects more like me than it does not affect you. But still no hate or ban mentioned.

I just feel a little less guilty of avoiding people now knowing it is also a problem for others. I did not think that the "insufferable and the intlorant" were among thee posts. Just people with open debate and opinion.

So would it be wrong to say I am sorry I offended you whilst still sticking to how I feel about something that affects me? I do assure you that no hate is involved here. Quite the contrary if you read what I put :)

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 04:11 PM

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 03:55 PM

And oh yes, surely there are people who are "sensitive " to those who deep fat fry..fat people and people who work in chip shops, let us ban them..and those who eat too much curry or garlic...my god, you may sneeze or, god forbid, go home reeking of food you don.t like. And what abour those who have habits or personal hygene that differ from your..hurl the buggers out.. I refuse to be exposed to those who offend me . Get rid of those insecure short men who wear after shave by the gallon, the floozies whose idea of dressing up is to lather up with a half gallon of evening in Paris..Juysus, can't have them in pubs or clubs....And of course there are those who reek of petrol because they can't walk anywhere and there are those who start these hateful threads and then claim not to want to offend anyone when all you have done is shone a light in the crack where the insufferable and the intolerant hide.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 03:37 PM

"Personal hygiene plays an important part and if people wash themselves and their clothes regularly"
Nowadays, in an established 'non-smoking' environment that wold have to be each time they had a fag, I'm afraid.
I have never smoked, but I grew up in a household of heavy smokers and was not aware of the smell.
Now smoking is a rarity in public, I can spot a smoker from 50 paces simply by the smell.
The worst culprits are the women who try to disguise their smoking with perfule - Capstan (do they still exist) and Chanel no 5 - yeuch!!!
I am fully aware of the addictive nature of tobacco and fully sympathise with those hooked, but it doesn't mean I want to return to having my life put in jeopardy or go home smelling of someone else's unhealthy habit.
I am also fully aware of the lethal nature of smoking - my mother died of cancer and an autopsy revealed my father would have done also had he not been killed in a road accident.
Sorry - good riddance, as far as I'm concerned
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Johnny J
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 03:20 PM

Oops, I've just read this again. The complaint seems to be about the smell from smokers as opposed to them smoking!

Yes, some smell very badly but they are the minority. Personal hygiene plays an important part and if people wash themselves and their clothes regularly there should be less of a problem especially if they are only moderate smokers.

So most smokers don't bother me, in this respect.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Johnny J
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 03:11 PM

Mauvepink,

Do you live in the UK?

Jack,

Do people still smoke on buses?

If the answer to either question is "yes", are people flouting the law on a regular basis?   I've never noticed this myself.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Musket
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 02:47 PM

Aye Steve, you did it though. I never said it was easy, I just said it can be done. I have friends who went through hell trying, hence doing my bit as a campaigner over the years. Awful thing to get addicted to. It isn't just the killing though. I recall a patient moaning because there were no staff available to put him a wheelchair and take him outside for a fag. "I smoked since I was a lad and it hasn't harmed me!" He said. Both legs amputated, septicaemia, on oxygen, COPD.....

But agreeing it is hard can just make it even harder. It is an addiction.

Some of the heaviest smokers I knew were those I worked with down the pit. But you know what? For eight hours a day they didn't smoke. At the time when they needed most concentration they didn't smoke. When they were knackered they didn't smoke.

That alone had me scratching my head over the need.





Do you smoke after sex?

I simmer a bit around the edges.....

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 01:06 PM

As someone who tries to make a living from singing, I cannot afford to smoke[financially or health wise]. I am so glad I gave up,[40 years ago] every morning I suffer because of my previous addiction and because of passive smoking, coughing etc.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 12:33 PM

Oh for sure giving up is not easy... one of the hardest things I ever had to do. The addiction to nicotine is horrid and I gave myself thousands of excuses to carry on. I am glad I won... but it was not easy.

All this said I love the smell of a pipe! So few gentlemen, and even less ladies, smoke a pipe these days. But still bad for your health so I am not saying it's okay.

I respect anyone who kicked the habit. And I pity, in the true sense of the word, those who cannot get away from it

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 11:04 AM

Er, it is quite hard to give up, Musket. I did it the way you recommend, but it was hard. Really hard, I found.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 08:49 AM

I do not think all smokers are selfish and nasty folk by any means. Many, these days, agree to their own addiction, but do a great deal not to offend others. Some I know will totally respects bans and people's space.

The sad fact for me, and it is touched on above, is that as an ex smoker I seem particularly sensitive to smoke now. It does not make me ever want to smoke again. It makes me feel feel nauseus and sets up a cough almost immediately. If I am singing that night my throat is affect.

I cannot always get up and move. The other evening the two said friends came in as the pub was filling and sat either side of me. I cannot be so rude as to tell them to go away because they smell. They both know they do, because I told them why I do not sit near them any more. I do not like being rude nor unfriendly. So I have to 'suck it up' or leave.

Yesterday I had to hire a deisel van to get all my gear to the gig. It was leaking deilel from somewhere but not an obvious leak. Driving home was a nightmare for me and my throat is sore today. So it's not just smoke that is noxious. I am aware.

Smeeling of smoke is abnoxious and, sadly, has become something I do not like about myself because I detest singling any group of people out to discrimiante against. It goes against all I hold dear... BUT, I confess, it is beginning to grind me down and there are now two clubs I will likely stop going to because of this :(

--------------

Again though. Thank you ALL for your thoughful replies. I appreciate the opinions on both sides of this divide

mp

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 08:43 AM

"Best line I've heard re. smoking."
How about
"Do you smoke after sex?"
"Dunno - I've never looked"
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 08:34 AM

I completely agree with Musket and Jim.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 07:59 AM

"The world is full of noxious smells"
Not all of them leave people's lungs like lace curtains and by and large, very few are imposed by the deliberate choice of individuals to spread their noxious fumes in company.
I think if most smokers realised how unpleasant they smell close up, self conciousness might just make them think twice.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 07:23 AM

Best line I've heard re. smoking.
Q: "Do you mind if I smoke?"
A: "No. Do you mind if I fart in your face?"

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Musket
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 07:05 AM

No. The smokers can move. The smokers should look to cause and effect before lighting up. You don't have to move through inaction, but action.

Smokers are inconsiderate. No ifs, no buts. Might be otherwise nice people, but they smell. They smell bad and they re not nice to be around. They don't have to smoke either. All this crap about how hard it is to give up. Utter bullock.

You want to give up? Easy. Stop smoking. Stop buying cigarettes. Don't fall for the nicotine chews, patches or plastic fags. They are like methadone for a heroin addict.

Beer breath doesn't affect the health of decent people in your vicinity. Farts don't, (except those from my greyhound to be fair,) garlic could be good for you, sweat doesn't hurt you and perfume and aftershave don't either. Granted, they may not be nice, but no problem to the health of others.

Our government is considering banning smoking in cars with children in them. Obviously, the need for the government to step in just shows the uncaring attitude of many who smoke. We know conclusively the harm it does, yet some people think they can smoke in the same room as children, in the same car as children and can't see why they were stopped from doing it in the same room as unsuspecting adults.

Just think, but for the political influence of drug pushers in suits such as BAT, it would be a criminal affiance to supply. As it is, to protect their markets, they are causing a massive health problem in third world countries. Just think about the morals around that.

A true drug addiction. It is the same attitude that forces crackheads into crime, because feeding your habit is more important than thinking about others.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: nutty
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 06:29 AM

I can't believe the intolerence being shown by some people here.

The world is full of noxious smells - cigarette smoke being IMO one of the minor ones

My own pet hates are beer breath, farts, garlic, sweat and people who douse themselves in perfume and aftershave.

You don't have to sit near the smokers - you can always move.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 06:28 AM

I'll drink to that!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 06:19 AM

Priorities, Jim, priorities!

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 03:49 AM

I never cease to be amazed about how solidly the smoking ban has established itself in Ireland where, immediately prior to its introduction, many of the pubs were no-go areas to be and my lungs.
It still amuses me to drive through some Irish villages late at night and see the little huddle of illegal after-hours drinkers having a quick drag outside so as not to break the law.
Some laws are more important than others, it would seem.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: DebC
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 03:41 AM

I am an ex-smoker (totally smoke free for 32 years) and I have become quite sensitive to it. I hold my breath when I walk past someone with a lit cig in the street or exiting a building where the smokers gather.

As a professional singer, I have to be extra careful with second-hand smoke. In my performance agreements, I state that I am very happy to be housed in a private home, but the home must be totally non-smoking. Even the person who steps outside brings it back in with them as the OP stated above. The smell that clings to the person makes me ill.

As a former smoker, I do understand the addiction. My mother died from smoking; not cancer, but decreased circulation and emphysema. It was so difficult to watch her die such a slow death. But i also know how hard it is to quit. It was one the hardest things I've ever done in my life.

Having smokers go outside in the UK is fantastic for those of us that work in the folk clubs. In the States where I live, there are still places where one can smoke anywhere. I will not give those places my business since it's a risk to my health and my career.

Debra Cowan

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 03:23 AM

As a non-smoker I've had enough passive smoking induced bronchitis to last me a lifetime- that's the negative memory of folk clubs. Not that pipe smokers were any better. I remember singing one night when the Rev. Kenneth Loveless was the guest. He sat in the front row with his pipe polluting the air quite nicely. No idea what sort of shag he'd stuffed it with but it must have been industrial grade! I can't remember what I sang but I do know that at one point instead of air I got a lungful of smoke....heavy coughing fit....end of song.

@Andrez: early mornings are even worse! There's virtually no-one about but if someone has crossed the street 10 minutes earlier their smoke still hangs there.

Subject: RE: Smokers in clubs
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 13 Apr 14 - 03:10 AM

I agree about the cigarette ends lying around in piles outside offices and shops. People do seem to fling anything down in the street nowadays. We were in a giant Tesco's yesterday, and there's a bench outside round the corner for smokers. It made me sad to see many young mums with their little ones in pushchairs beside them, noses stuck into their mobile phones, puffing away there, with the fag ends in heaps all around their feet. Horrible.