Smoking and PM's speech

kreacher

i don't think it will work, if you are going to smoke, you will smoke. i started smoking at 13, i knew people who were old enough to get my ciggies

Steve_in_The_City

It does make me wonder why people think we should have free choice to indulge in drugs, real drugs like cocaine or heroin or perceived drugs like nicotine? And also why society should have to put up with the damage that is inflicted upon us, real drugs or perceived drugs? No one is more liberal than me, and I am going to tolerate drugs addicts as they are sad and lost people. I won't tolerate people who vape.

In Encarta World English Dictionary, the 1999 edition, heroin is described as a highly addictive narcotic drug. Cocaine is described as an addict drug. Nicotine, a substance uninformed people think they are addicted to, is simply described as a poisonous alkaloid. The word addiction and derivatives of that word are not used. 

It is true that vaping is slightly more acceptable as smoking and better for you,  but it still stinks. Personally, I don't want to breath in the fumes. Thankfully I live in a neighbourhood  where smoking of all forms is considered anti-social and passe, and it is only old people and youngsters  who have no life experience who indulge.

malice88

@woodbine so I am a hypocritical observer. I started smoking at 13, now 35 and am a pretty infrequent smoker but not full quitter. Maximum I would say I smoke one roll up a day, often it will be weeks and weeks without.

I personally feel that smoking has no benefits apart from becoming a habitual addiction. I cannot have a beer without craving for example, but even with infrequent smoking I never actually enjoy the sensation.

I think removing the option is a great idea. Give it a decade and no one will bother, because there is very little incentive when compared to other drugs like alcohol, cannabis etc. Will people really go underground for nicotine when other things are more enticing?

I disagree with people who compare it to alcohol. Yes the antisocial aspects are miniscule compared to drinking but there is something to be said for legal and illegal drugs like alcohol and weed being personal choice as long as people responsibly manage it.

I don't agree with governments dictating what is legal to put in your own body, but I think in this case, removing a giant risk that provides limited reward is just common sense.

New generations will be born without the culture of smoking so it won't affect them apart from positively removing a health risk.

If we all want to smoke to death this legislation won't remove that option.

WelshBlue

I would have to disagree that nicotine isn't an addiction.  As would many medical sites and papers written.
As someone who had the cravings from giving up many times.  I've kicked the habit now, but really would rather give up all the illegals and alcohol again.  It was far easier

Nicotine itself isn't the problem -  ok elevated heart rate possible ... it's the other chemicals in cigarettes that are harmful. 

Since giving up smoking 3 years ago my BP is safely stable, my clothes smell better, I don't get out of breath, cough up gunk etc

I'm a vaper - not one person has said the vapour smells disgusting, my wife even comments how nice a flavour smells.  As have other people walking past me.  (Who couldn't love lemon, lychee, grapefruit and blackcurrant my current mix) My BP isn't affected, I don't cough, I can do things without getting out of breath and saved thousands of £££

The only danger to myself is when I set the smoke alarm off at 3am if using a high VG liquid. Then it's not the vape ...  but my wife threatening bodily harm and inserting things where they shouldn't be

Give me vapour over smoke any day

I don't think smoking should be banned, but do think it's a good idea to increase age (New Zealand did the same 2 years ago IIRC)  That said, I'd prefer to think of people inhaling proper stuff than all the fakes going around

One of those ... what is really for the best situations?   In all honesty I'm more up in arms about the new 20mph speed limit and the soon to be, you can't buy a packet of crisps in a meal deal in Wales.  Let people make their own choices

woodbine

At risk of repeating myself it will be decades before the positive effect of a smoking ban will impact the NHS in a positive way.

Meanwhile as each year passes the reduction in duty and taxes will reduce by significant amounts until it reaches zero, I notice Sunak failed to address that issue and tell us what plans he has to replace this revenue. Will they eventually stop us from bringing back cigs from our foreign holidays? I doubt that.

Jimm_Scope

While I do think people should be heavily discouraged to stop smoking, I am very skeptical of bans on things if the thing in question is only a risk to the user. Drug bans often fail and only enrich crime.

Albus_Scope

I've just hit week 11 of being a non smoker, with a slight hiccup on my birthday.  But I'm now vaping. But I'm probably getting more nicotine from vaping as I'm using it a lot.   But I'm very glad to not be feeling so socially dirty now. 

I agree bans tend not to be the greatest thing if said items are available in other countries.  But I have noticed a massive change in how smoking is seen by younger generations, most youngsters are very much against it these days, but are ok with vapes.  So it's a step in the right direction anyway.  I think most people start smoking due to peer pressure, or because they think that's what the 'cool kids' do, so changing the image of smoking is the biggest step to take. 

woodbine

@Albus_Scope well done on quitting you can buy vape liquids with lower nicotine levels I use either 3mg or 6mg.

WelshBlue

@Albus_Scope ... well done.  What device are you using ?
I'm currently on 10mg ... got to reduce it, having too much of a rush in the mornings

The average smoker pays £2800 per year in revenue x 5,000,000 smokers (conservative) = £14,000,000,000

Never going to ban it

Steve_in_The_City

I would like to ask everyone who vapes if you think you are setting a good example to youngsters? I won't ask if you vape around kiddies, because I already know the answer.

woodbine

And the answer is ? sorry you did say you know.

I think me vaping is setting a better example than me smoking 30 a day ever did.

In 2022 the number of smokers was 6.4 million, or 12.9% this was a drop from 2011 when it was 20.2%.

The two things that have made the biggest difference in recent years has been increasing the age from 16-18 and the ban on smoking in public places.

WelshBlue

I personally think that youngsters (teenagers) have far more leading them astray these days than me vaping around them.  The ones who will - will.  The ones who don't want to ... won't.

Should any of them be ?  No.

But it's not for me to parent them.

One should never assume.  I would never vape in front of a young child and always go outside.

My GP's doesn't mind me vaping, hospitals class me as a non-smoker on forms despite vaping ... my last visit I had a conversation about vape devices with a surgeon.  He actually had more than me

Albus_Scope

Thanks @woodbine feels good to finally break the habit after donkeys years or rollies! I've just moved down to 3mg, so nearly there! 

@WelshBlue thanks my dude! I'm currently using a Totally Wicked Opal. First one broke, but they sent a replacement straight out.  Decent throat hit, adjustable and there's some really strong flavours for it.  I've been vaping on and off for about ten years now, it's crazy how far the tech has come! 

And no, I wouldn't vape around kids.  I try and vape outside on my free time and only vape in my office if I have a window open. I'm very aware the vapor could have adverse effects on humans/pets...and on the fans in my PC.

Steve_in_The_City

Everyone who vapes outside of their own four walls are vaping in front of kiddies and you are sending a very bad message to them. Please don't kid yourselves to the contrary.

unclebob

I stopped almost 7 years ago and now got loads of health problems. But i wont ever start again it stinks can't go by anyone who smokes.

Steve_in_The_City

I have to ask a question! Why do people think they are addicted to nicotine, and where is the proof!

Another question is why do people who vape think it is ok to blow their chemicals in my face? I quite agree that vaping is better than smoking (no matter how daft vaping looks)  but why do people who vape think it is ok to blow their chemically induced fumes over me?

woodbine

Steve_in_The_City said:

Everyone who vapes outside of their own four walls are vaping in front of kiddies and you are sending a very bad message to them. Please don't kid yourselves to the contrary.

I vape inside my home and outside in the garden there are no kids about everybody that lives here is well over 60 many in their 80's, so I'm not kidding anyone cheers.

poppy123456

Steve_in_The_City said:

Everyone who vapes outside of their own four walls are vaping in front of kiddies and you are sending a very bad message to them. Please don't kid yourselves to the contrary.

You are entitled to your opinion, as much as I am. I vape in my home, in the living room, bedroom and kitchen. I vape in my car and outside. I don’t need to ask anyones permission to do any of that. 

What I would never do is vape in someone’s “face” 

Albus_Scope

@Steve_in_The_City I agree, people should not be blowing any kind of vapor in another persons face and I'm sorry if that has happened to you. 

 But can we please make sure this topic is kept civil and supportive, as per the community house rules. Thanks.  

woodbine

Steve_in_The_City said:

I have to ask a question! Why do people think they are addicted to nicotine, and where is the proof!

Another question is why do people who vape think it is ok to blow their chemicals in my face? I quite agree that vaping is better than smoking (no matter how daft vaping looks)  but why do people who vape think it is ok to blow their chemically induced fumes over me?

I never "blew" cigarette smoke in anybody's face and would never ever blow vape smoke either, I don't know anyone who vapes (and I know a few) that would either.
I am living proof that nicotine is addictive I smoked for 50 years and it took me 10 years to give up.