Post by SAD IRELAND ADMIN on May 6, 2006 11:51:47 GMT
Below is a response by SAD Ireland featured by The Morning Advertiser to a claim by a Scottish MSP that the smoking ban there has been a 'success.' :
Crusaders judge the results of their actions by how good it makes them feel and not by the consequences. Hardly a day goes by here in the Emerald Isle without the proponents and supporters of the smoking ban patting themselves on the back about the great success they have. Great Success ? Hundreds of pubs have closed in Ireland, particularly in rural areas, thousands have lost their jobs, cigarette sales and smokers smoking them have increased, the elderly no longer meeting their friends for a pint, fag and a chat have become isolated and marginalised, but sure isn't it a great success all the same!
The very same as happened in Ireland will happen in Scotland. Smokey Joe this month might just for one night forego one of his regular trips to the pub, deciding it's better to watch the box at home in comfort than spending half the night on a pavement outside his boozer. Next month it might happen on two occasions, the following month three times and so on until not only he, but his non smoking friends are hardly visiting the pub at all.
And don't be fooled by the Irish press and media who repeat the government line on the smoking ban in such a manner that would have made Pravda blush in it's heyday. Recently one leading Irish newspaper conducted a street survey to test 'the word on the street' as they put it. A great success according to the people they interviewed, all thought the ban was fantastic.
And just who were these people ? One was a doctor on a visit from Wales, another was a nun from Nigeria and the third of five people questioned was a gentleman from Mongolia! Sure isn't it a great success, the Irish people love the ban!
The biggest amount of smoke surrounding smoking bans is the smokescreen being created by it's proponents, presenting over exaggerated, hysteric and unproven theories as fact. The truth is the repressive smoking bans have more to do with the intolerant meddlers disdain for smoking and the smoker than any concern for his health or those around him.
What's wrong with freedom of choice? Why can't we have smoking and non smoking area's of recreation? There are plenty of compromises easily reached that will accommodate the wishes of both smoker and non smoker alike. Has freedom of choice become some sort of radical notion?
Give up your seat there Seamus for the old lady, oh and by the way, kick her out the door if she tries to light up a cigarette - A great success to be sure!
Full article featured on The Morning Advertiser Site : www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?articleid=15817
Crusaders judge the results of their actions by how good it makes them feel and not by the consequences. Hardly a day goes by here in the Emerald Isle without the proponents and supporters of the smoking ban patting themselves on the back about the great success they have. Great Success ? Hundreds of pubs have closed in Ireland, particularly in rural areas, thousands have lost their jobs, cigarette sales and smokers smoking them have increased, the elderly no longer meeting their friends for a pint, fag and a chat have become isolated and marginalised, but sure isn't it a great success all the same!
The very same as happened in Ireland will happen in Scotland. Smokey Joe this month might just for one night forego one of his regular trips to the pub, deciding it's better to watch the box at home in comfort than spending half the night on a pavement outside his boozer. Next month it might happen on two occasions, the following month three times and so on until not only he, but his non smoking friends are hardly visiting the pub at all.
And don't be fooled by the Irish press and media who repeat the government line on the smoking ban in such a manner that would have made Pravda blush in it's heyday. Recently one leading Irish newspaper conducted a street survey to test 'the word on the street' as they put it. A great success according to the people they interviewed, all thought the ban was fantastic.
And just who were these people ? One was a doctor on a visit from Wales, another was a nun from Nigeria and the third of five people questioned was a gentleman from Mongolia! Sure isn't it a great success, the Irish people love the ban!
The biggest amount of smoke surrounding smoking bans is the smokescreen being created by it's proponents, presenting over exaggerated, hysteric and unproven theories as fact. The truth is the repressive smoking bans have more to do with the intolerant meddlers disdain for smoking and the smoker than any concern for his health or those around him.
What's wrong with freedom of choice? Why can't we have smoking and non smoking area's of recreation? There are plenty of compromises easily reached that will accommodate the wishes of both smoker and non smoker alike. Has freedom of choice become some sort of radical notion?
Give up your seat there Seamus for the old lady, oh and by the way, kick her out the door if she tries to light up a cigarette - A great success to be sure!
Full article featured on The Morning Advertiser Site : www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?articleid=15817