[CABINET]

We went out for a pub meal last week to a local pub (several old cottages joined together in a rambling fashion) which had a decent sized no smoking "restaurant" section and were suprised (and pleased) to find that the whole place was now no-smoking. It was lovely to be able to choose where to sit instead of having to be in the no-smoking bit which rather lacked atmosphere.

However, I had to admit that the pub was much emptier that it has ever been in the past.

So my question is - have they made a big mistake is pre-empting the no smoking ban or, as my husband thought might be the case, are they hoping to get more non-smokers in for meals once the news gets around and then hang on to them when the ban arrives?

[RAINBOWGIRL22]

I went to my first non smoking pub a few weekends back and it seemed as busy as normal (it was a local pub of ours that had been renovated - I guess they decided it was the best time to go non smoking what with the new decor and all?).

My BF {a recent non smoker} loved it, whereas myself {a smoker} found myself looking longingly at the exit every two minutes .

It was actually OK, we were there for a few drinks and I did nip out for a ciggie but didn't miss smoking so much. I imagine it will be very different when I'm out with my smoking buddies though

[lemoncurd]

Yes, our local is moving the no-smoking section back across the pub in stages. It's now about 1/3 smoking and 2/3 no-smoking. They are moving it back once again in April to leave just a small smoker's section in the conservatory and that's it until June.

They were planning on going completely no-smoking in February to coincide with a re-fit, but the re-fit has changed to be much more substantial albeit not now uintil next January.

[Ultrasonic]

Probably as your husband suggests.

Wish a few more would do it. Can't wait for the smoking ban.

As for smokers moaning about it - it'll be the same as it was when it was first banned in cinemas and on planes. People moaned about it for a while, then accepted it. Can anyone imagine a smoker in a cinema or on a plane now? No, because we're used to it.

[kimindex]

The last two pubs we went to (both in touristy areas) had gone no smoking suddenly. They were still quite full or as full as normal. It was heavenly.

[Cstar2229]

Come to Scotland - it's been about a year since the ban

It's great having no smoking inside but u have go thro the cloud outside tho

I find it really old fashioned going to England and it being smokey inside

[Chubbler]

Its probably a good idea to start having non smoking areas so people get used to it before a big shock on July 1st when theres no smoking.
I'm spending most of my summer in Greece anyway so it'll be smoking there and it may be strange when I come back and theres no smoking anywhere.

[CABINET]

Well it's interesting that other pubs are doing the same.

We realised once we were inside and having our meal that we had actually passed a small group of smokers outside but had paid them little attention (I probably just thought they were making a phone call or something).

I do feel I should support the pub in its brave stand but unfortunately the menu is always the same so we don't go that often.

[fi~]

wetherspoons made a lot of their pubs non smoking before the ban comes in
they did it up here (pain in the bum tho) but now there aer all no smoking doesnt make a difference

[realwales]

My local independent cinema, which only closed down last year, allowed smoking in the side aisles right up until the day of closure.

I personally think the ban will be pretty hard to enforce in places like night clubs. It'd take a brave person to tell hoards of drunken slobs to put their fags out.

I don't buy in to this global warming business, but consider this: A pub near me has built this open conservatory- type structure that have large, high- powered heating lamps, to cater for the large number of smokers that go there.

No doubt the price of drinks will go up a bit to pay the massive electricity bill, but surely these structures will do nothing but increase C02 emissions.

I'm sure plenty of other pubs will be taking similar steps.

[scorpy66]

Originally Posted by realwales

I don't buy in to this global warming business, but consider this: A pub near me has built this open conservatory- type structure that have large, high- powered heating lamps, to cater for the large number of smokers that go there.

No doubt the price of drinks will go up a bit to pay the massive electricity bill, but surely these structures will do nothing but increase C02 emissions.

I'm sure plenty of other pubs will be taking similar steps.

This article says that places where there is already a smoking ban in place, like Dublin, are bristling with the things:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4719654.stm

[mintbro]

As a smoker i have no problem with going outside and it could be a good thing as people have said you get to meet new people etc,also i may smoke less which will be good cause i seem to smoke more when drinking.

However the goverment are predicting 600,000 people will give up smoking which means a huge amount lost in tax.What other product can bring in as much tax as smoking does because we know how much they like our money.Dont forget that the amount in tax is no where near the amount spent on treatment for smoking.

[Caxton]

Originally Posted by mintbro

As a smoker i have no problem with going outside and it could be a good thing as people have said you get to meet new people etc,also i may smoke less which will be good cause i seem to smoke more when drinking.

However the goverment are predicting 600,000 people will give up smoking which means a huge amount lost in tax.What other product can bring in as much tax as smoking does because we know how much they like our money.Dont forget that the amount in tax is no where near the amount spent on treatment for smoking.

The Government will recoup lost revenue in smoking with the coming of the casinos.

[Murraymar]

Its been here in Ireland for a couple of years. I personally think the pubs are a emptier and here in Cork there a good few pub licences up for sale. The ban might work differently in England

[biggeral]

Originally Posted by mintbro

As a smoker i have no problem with going outside and it could be a good thing as people have said you get to meet new people etc,also i may smoke less which will be good cause i seem to smoke more when drinking.

However the goverment are predicting 600,000 people will give up smoking which means a huge amount lost in tax.What other product can bring in as much tax as smoking does because we know how much they like our money.Dont forget that the amount in tax is no where near the amount spent on treatment for smoking.

I would guess petrol brings in a lot of tax as well, yet the government are trying to find ways of getting people out of their cars.

[jen0607]

Originally Posted by mintbro

As a smoker i have no problem with going outside and it could be a good thing as people have said you get to meet new people etc,also i may smoke less which will be good cause i seem to smoke more when drinking.

However the goverment are predicting 600,000 people will give up smoking which means a huge amount lost in tax.What other product can bring in as much tax as smoking does because we know how much they like our money.Dont forget that the amount in tax is no where near the amount spent on treatment for smoking.

Surely people will not give up smoking because a smoking ban is coming in? If they attempt it on that basis alone, they will not succeed. As a smoker, I know I will give up when I want to, not because I can't smoke in a pub.

And the other tax that the Government will use is the global warming one. If cigarettes sales go down, you can bet your bottom dollar that petrol tax, airport taxes etc will go up.

Having said all this, I plan to give up smoking this summer. However, its not because of the smoking ban, its because I will finish my degree. I plan to save the money up, and get on a big stinking plane and bugger off on holiday somewhere nice. Oh, and I plan to run a car! (Shame really, that's it not a 4X4!)