Smoking ban - Yay or Nay?

As a reformed smoker I have to say I was absolutely delighted when the ban came into effect over here. I believe you guys have it now in the UK?

Interestingly enough this is the only topic that I disagreed with Penn and Teller on. They are for smoking in public places. Again, they see it as the whole "personal freedom" issue. They also say that there is no conclusive proof that second hand smoke can cause cancer (which I don't agree with incidentally).

Personally, I've no problem with people smoking (although I think it's very dangerous habit) as long as it not in an enclosed public space. Smoke in you own home, sure. But not in a bar or restaurant. Use the sheltered beer gardens that are now provided!

When the ban was coming over here, everyone said it would be "the end of all pubs" (that slippery slope again) . Well, you can bet you ass the Irish 'arnt giving up their drink that easy.Yep, there was a decline, but that was because people felt they were being ripped off by the landlords (who upped the priced with the euro). So people started to drink at home before they would go out.

Just my tuppence worth...

Absolutely - ban the beggars!

I do not want to eat my food with the taste of 2nd hand smoke!!!!!!!

As for P&T yes they got it wrong based on evidence they had at the time perhaps.

Anyway there is conclusive evidence for the link hence big payouts during court cases,

Den.

That's true, and a good point. P&T's show was perhaps a little dated re. the evidence back then. But as you said there's plenty of it now....

Actually, there's one lad that I'm training now who gave them up after 23 years of smoking heavily - fair play to him! Just shows it can be done.

Penn and Teller's correction on second hand smoke episode, if you haven't seen it already:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrub3dt7R5U

Thanks Jamie.... I didn't see that. Nice one.

No probs. I don't agree with EVERYTHING P & T say and I don't they would want their viewers to either, such is the nature of true scepticism after all. I see myself as a sceptic and I guess my political views are fairly libertarian - more and more as time goes on - but if I were to make a single criticism of the show it is their often blanket attack on a subject, at least at the beginning of an episode.