Smoking

dennisg · Post by **dennisg** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:16 pm

Now that smoking is banned in public places in England, following the lead of other parts of the UK and some EU countries, do you think that smoking in Portuguese restaurants will be banned in the near future?
(In view of my age the distant future is of no interest to me). We have been irritated by smoke from other tables whilst eating in some of the smaller restaurants, Gales particularly comes to mind, and look forward to the time when Portuguese restaurants adopt non-smoking values.
(I know I'm a grumpy old man!)

Misty · Post by **Misty** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:32 pm

I think the law is due to come into effect in Portugal too some time in the near future.

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:31 pm

It was so fantastic yesterday to go into our local pub and not come out smelling of smoke. Although have to admit we did a bit, I think it will take a while for it to disapate. Pub was also empty!!!

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:44 am

Here's a differnt point of view for you......
My son came back from the pub and said that it's good that you dont have the cigarette smoke, the only problem now is the smell of sweaty bodies and cheap scent!.............

There is Mr Brown's next task. Banning smelly bodies and cheap scent.
I told my son that it was more a reflection of the pubs he goes into!

SAM SPARKLE · Post by **SAM SPARKLE** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:01 am

Bruce Wallis wrote:
There is Mr Brown's next task. Banning smelly bodies and cheap scent.

I think he is more likely to tax it than ban it!!!

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:37 pm

The smoking ban comes into effect on 1 January 2008. Apparently the new law allows the owners of bars, restaurants and clubs with less than 100sqm the right to choose whether they'll allow smoking or not. If they choose to allow it they have to install the necessary ventilation systems. Big cop out if ever there was one.

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:53 am

I think it is very sensible of the Portuguese legislator to allow the owner of the premises to decide whether to permit smoking or not. Blanket bans smack of a form of dictatorship to me.

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:56 pm

But how does that work Biffa!
Maybe the owners of bars and restaurants have to decide who's custom they want. Non smokers or smokers? and they have to be sure that any non smoking staff are happy to inhale a cancer giving drug if they want to keep their jobs.
I know what you are saying but at the end of the day this is something that could kill smokers and non smokers alike and surely if I am enjoying a drink in a bar or eating I shouldn't have my health put in danger.
Smoking is a killer, non smoking isn't

SAM SPARKLE · Post by **SAM SPARKLE** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:12 pm

I think you are right Tricks, the owners have to decide to be either smoking or non smoking - I think they employ something like this in Spain. Personally I am in favour of a blanket ban, I still haven't had the chance to thank a nice couple who sat next to us in Happy's one night and proceeded to smoke about fifty fags each while we where trying to enjoy our meal.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:21 pm

Seldom that I agree with someone from Manchester, Tricks,

SAM SPARKLE · Post by **SAM SPARKLE** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:29 pm

A friend of mine who smokes was asked by his mate if he wanted any cigs brought back as he was going on holiday, my friend asked for 200 Benson and Hedges and when his mate got back handed over the cigs and asked for 55 quid, bloody hell he said where did you go to – his mate replied Blackpool.

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:51 pm

As I see it - and I am a non ciggie smoker who enjoys the occasonal cigar, the Portuguese system would be simple but effective. If the cafe/restauarant owner chose to offer smoking facilities the non smokers simply would not go there. Similarly a non - smoking anti-smoking barman wouldn't apply for a job there in the same way that a vegetarian presumably wouldn't want a job in an abattoir.

It's called choice as opposed to repression.

Very civilised or am i being too simplistic?

Maurice Flitcroft · Post by **Maurice Flitcroft** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:10 pm

I totally agree with you Biffa.
It should be entirely personal choice. If a person invests in a business (e.g. Bar/Restaurant) he/she should have the choice whether to welcome smokers or not. If he/she allows smoking then, obviously, any employee would be aware of the environment he/she would be working in and similarly any customer would know the environment that he/she was about to drink/eat in.
I speak as a non-smoker (and one-time athlete).

lukyluke · Post by **lukyluke** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:20 pm

the law as it was voted means everything will stay the same.

restaurants, bars, discotheques, all full of smoke.

i enjoy very much to go to night clubs but can´t stay there anymore than 30 minutes because i begin to suffocate.

if people want to smoke they should go out and take they puff.

all those public places will only be better without smoke because there´s a lot of people that don´t frequent these places because of the smoke and would go there if smoke was baned.

btw, i´m a smoker. a heavy one.

cheers.

lukyluke · Post by **lukyluke** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:22 pm

it´s quite like urinating in the saloon instead of going into the bathroom.

Smoking

Smoking

Smoking

Smokers