UK: Labour Smoking Ban

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

it certainly feels to me like both the UK and the US (and Europe as a whole) are becoming increasingly puritanical (both the public and the governments)

That's authoritarianism that you're sensing.

It's in style... the masses love it for whatever reason.

Makes you wonder if people always just end up this way... maybe it's some kind of cycle playing out.

Or, just maybe there is somebody pulling these peoples strings.

Hell if I know. There isn't some silent majority coming to save us, I do know that much. People love this shit.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

A Republic would refer to a strong centralized government that has authority over states.

But, the arguments have been made over the decades that smoking hurts people around you that haven’t made the choice to smoke. The side against smokers has won over and over in courts. It is settled law now. But, I’m just the messenger.

I just have insulated myself with a huge cellar and the ability to grow and cure tobaccos…. Because I have listened to the writing on the wall.

I guess we've got two different dictionaries... Maybe I don't have the updated version.

 

[jaingorenard]

Hell if I know. There isn't some silent majority coming to save us, I do know that much. People love this shit.

I can definitely agree with you there.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I guess we've got two different dictionaries... Maybe I don't have the updated version.

We are a democratic republic, which means specifically that our leaders are elected to represent us through a strong centralized government. But, there have been republics that have not been democratic. The Romans had a system for a while when it first became a republic that you inherited your seat in government.

I'm sorry, I lost where you were going with this.

I am not against you guys or the spirit of the thread. I am a pipe smoker. But, I also am just being realistic. Hate me if you want.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

We are a democratic republic, which means specifically that our leaders are elected to represent us through a strong centralized government. But, their have been republics that have not been democratic. The Romans had a system for a while when it first became a republic that you inherited your seat in government.

I'm sorry, I lost where you were going with this.

I am not against you guys or the spirit of the thread. I am a pipe smoker. But, I also am just being realistic. Hate me if you want.

No hate from me. I love ya.

Yes, we have democracy at play in our government. That's a good thing.

I was saying that we have a republic that protects the individual from the mob rule of straight democracy.

We are not the romans... Yet.

Go to Walmart look around you and thank God that you have a system of government that protects you from that majority.

Look, I'm off my soapbox... Maybe I had too much coffee. I can't help you damned people.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I cant help you damned people.

You are one of my favorite people too. The world can learn something from us Southerners. We can discuss stuff without getting all angry and irate about it.

Final words...
Do I want smoking to continue forever. Yes, that would be my wish.
Am I excited about seeing new smokers. Not really. Just makes me feel old, ha ha.
Am I mad that smoking will go away one day. No, we've had plenty of warning.
What can I do about smoking bans? buy up all the tobacco I can, learn to grow it and process it, so that I can smoke forever. well, at least until I am dead.

The thing I don't understand is when we bring up cellaring, some people get all upset at the very idea. But, then they are the same ones who seem to stomp their feets and sling out slurs against the world when this stuff comes up.
Take what you know is happening, and do what best prepares you for the inevitable. Logic men.

Help me change what I can,
Cope with what I can't,
and give me the wisdom to know the difference.

 

[simong]

Unsurprising but nonetheless devastating new law.
Two tier Keir & his stasi party have far worse things planned, I’m sure.

At times like these I’m reminded of the late ‘Uncle Monty’.

’My dear boys, we’re at the end of an age. We live in a country surrounded by weather forecasts & breakfasts that ‘set in’. Shat upon by the tories & then shovelled up by labour! Before too long, all that we’ll have left are vintage wines & memories……

Regardless, we shall still smile & smoke our pipes.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

Unsurprising but nonetheless devastating new law.
Two tier Keir & his stasi party have far worse things planned, I’m sure.

At times like these I’m reminded of the late ‘Uncle Monty’.

’My dear boys, we’re at the end of an age. We live in a country surrounded by weather forecasts & breakfasts that ‘set in’. Shat upon by the tories & then shovelled up by labour! Before too long, all that we’ll have left are vintage wines & memories……

Regardless, we shall still smile & smoke our pipes.

I agree.

BTW, any comment is immediately improved 1000% if it has a Withnail and I quote

 

[RexHiemis]

As a pipe smoker in a country where access to pipe tobacco is limited, this news deeply saddens me and raises concerns about the future of pipe smoking.

 

[VDL_Piper]

Exhibit (a) as to why smoking shouldn’t be banned in public places.

 

[filmguerilla]

I don't get too panicked with these types of laws. Where I live (States) public smoking is pretty much banned, along with the inside areas of bars/pubs, yet I can still find places with a nice outdoor beergarden where smoking is fine. A lot of breweries also have these areas. I figured it would be the end of my local pipe club when the crack down began, but it's not been bad at all.

 

[simong]

I agree.

BTW, any comment is immediately improved 1000% if it has a Withnail and I quote

lol got to love old Monty, absolute blinder of a film!

 

[RL Bucktails]

But, the arguments have been made over the decades that smoking hurts people around you that haven’t made the choice to smoke. The side against smokers has won over and over in courts. It is settled law now. But, I’m just the messenger.

IMHO I think the threat from second hand smoke outdoors is close to zero. It’s absurd. When I was a kid, my dad smoked cigs like fiend indoors, heck everyone did in cars, etc. I’m still here as are my siblings with no issues.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

IMHO I think the threat from second hand smoke outdoors is close to zero. It’s absurd. When I was a kid, my dad smoked cigs like fiend indoors, heck everyone did in cars, etc. I’m still here as are my siblings with no issues.

I’m with ya. I smoke at Starbucks when I can. Down here, people are little less finicky. But, what “we” believe and the court of public opinion are two different things.

 

[LeafErikson]

The irony being that in half of all regions in the UK, the police have made no arrests for burglary in the last year. The social contract is becoming very frayed.

You also can’t defend yourself with firearms over there which, as an American, is ludicrous to me.

 

[woodsroad]

I wonder what @condorlover1 thinks of this? Simon?

 

[warren]

You also can’t defend yourself with firearms over there which, as an American, is ludicrous to me.

Of course you can if you have a legal firearm and us it in accordance with the law(s).

 

[woodsroad]

Of course you can if you have a legal firearm and us it in accordance with the law(s).

I think that law enforcement and the courts in the UK is just a bit less accepting of self-defense as a viable rationalization for homicide.

 

[warren]

Can't speak for an individual court. Tighter controls on firearms are a given. But, it happens legally. Gov.UK lays out self-defense in one's home. Tightly defined, it is permissible to defend yourself in your own home.

 

[jaingorenard]

Of course you can if you have a legal firearm and us it in accordance with the law(s).

Very difficult to get away with defending yourself with a firearm in the UK. The precedents in law are a bit complicated but people are usually charged for shooting intruders.

As @woodsroad says, it does seem to be much harder to use self-defense as a defense in the UK.