tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623537812609722663.post2996682198900534190..comments2024-03-28T17:11:52.333+00:00Comments on The Pub Curmudgeon: Smoking and freedomCurmudgeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623537812609722663.post-21958287094504274712011-06-30T11:50:25.228+01:002011-06-30T11:50:25.228+01:00yeah, classing work vehicles as public places is j...yeah, classing work vehicles as public places is just plain silly. I also think that dedicated smoking rooms should still be allowed as the people entering it would know its purpose. In fact a load of people smoking outside the pub entry is worse than a separate well ventilated room.beersiveknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13293913182389157112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623537812609722663.post-74653558962060290782011-06-29T19:52:09.746+01:002011-06-29T19:52:09.746+01:00I could understand the "logic" behind pr...I could understand the "logic" behind protecting the health of workers in a pub, club or restaurant...but I'm prepared to accept the risks to my own health, in my own workplace, where I'm the only employee (a lorry!)EPC(Peter)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17357406337804738536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623537812609722663.post-7836451192237922032011-06-29T14:20:59.138+01:002011-06-29T14:20:59.138+01:00Yes, that's exactly the point. It's less r...Yes, that's exactly the point. It's less risky than construction work, farming or being in the army (most dangerous first). <br /><br />Even if Steve L is correct and the choice is bar work or unemployed, then that is still a wage premium, isn't it?Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623537812609722663.post-30596244639585048272011-06-29T13:21:34.714+01:002011-06-29T13:21:34.714+01:00Yes, the risks should be made clear and any action...Yes, the risks should be made clear and any action taken should be in line with action taken regarding similar risks. A fairly cautious estimate is that in terms of particulate inhalation, eleven hours spent in a very smokey atmosphere is equivalent to smoking one cigarette. In a room with an extraction system, it would be many times less, say a cigarette every hundred hours. Consequently, the extra risk a bar or cafe worker would be exposed to, from venturing into a ventilated smoking room for a few minutes each night would be minuscule - absolutely, immeasurably tiny. As for unpleasant working conditions and smelly pullovers. That's a matter of opinion and choice. You wouldn't get me up a ladder, but the construction industry carries on regardless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623537812609722663.post-21078360205863341782011-06-29T13:12:35.107+01:002011-06-29T13:12:35.107+01:00So nobody should be allowed to take any job that i...So nobody should be allowed to take any job that involves any more risk than sedentary office work, then?Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623537812609722663.post-46304597214873178902011-06-29T13:12:03.233+01:002011-06-29T13:12:03.233+01:00The right to risk our own lives and the right of a...The right to risk our own lives and the right of an individual to risk the lives of others...<br /><br />Murky waters! But I tend to agree that the 'all ye who enter here' approach should prevail.<br /><br />Tell people the risks and leave them free to choose.<br /><br />If I want to 'abandon all hope', then at least I was made aware that this was to be a likely consequence of my actions, and thereby the choice to proceed was indeed a choice, and at least that choice was my own.<br /><br />This is a democratic country, largely populated by intelligent and informed humanoids.<br /><br />We are not viewed as such by those who legislate. We are viewed either as potential threats to public order or as potential drains on the public purse.<br /><br />Smoking causes illnesses which cost the government money to treat, drinking causes illnesses (and the odd brawl) which does much the same.<br /><br />The motive behind these bans, clampdowns and stigma campaigns is no great mystery - they are the government's way of reducing healthcare expenditure so that the NHS can remain 'free', because a free health service is widely recognised as the prime essential for re-election.<br /><br />They are saving votes, not lives.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852488639948144328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5623537812609722663.post-79687723212249741042011-06-29T13:08:45.902+01:002011-06-29T13:08:45.902+01:00I disagree, being such a lowly paid job there is n...I disagree, being such a lowly paid job there is no "wage premium". People who work in pubs and bars often are faced with the choice between that or unemployment and that's not a choice that they can allow something like smoking to affect, they'd need to work regardless of affect to health.beersiveknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13293913182389157112noreply@blogger.com