Now here's a good idea?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16613244

Taking into account there's no need for staff, perhaps it could be a way of bringing back smoking into pubs?

[emmie]

no it won't, what if the beer is crap, and you want a refund, then who is to serve you, barking idea.

[emmie]

how would it bring back smoking, they still need staff, even if it's only to open up the place, as said barking.

[McMouse]

Ill stick with our bar-maid and here delightful bristols.

[Davethedog]

What about the customers who don't smoke? Isn't that what bought about the ban in the first place.

Can't see it catching on em10 is right.

[d9f1c7]

I don't see how this relates to the smoking laws. The disgusting oiks are banned for both staff and customers.

[emmie]

all it would do, just like the idiot self service tills, is employ more people, you have to have someone to maintain the machine, and when it goes wrong and empties it contents on to the floor, another employee to clean up, that's without the person who will collect the money from the machine. You could use this as an example of thinking backwards. The reasons pubs are going to the bloody wall is partly the smoking ban, but high costs, being part of a pub chain that doesn't give a stuff about you, your pub or staff, as long as they get some money back, and the fact that the public are bombarded at every level of the dangers of drinking, and endless other factors. London pubs have crashed into the dust, some i liked a lot, some i like not at all, but everyone of them had a history, and for that reason i am sad at their demise, this blokes thinking is off the wall, and that is where it should stay.

[AB Editor]

This place already does this: http://www.taps-leicester.co.uk/

The pumps are in the tables and you pay a tab at the end. All very civil and leaves the bar free for choosing specialist beers, spirits and cocktails.

I don't want people smoking in my pub, especially if there's food.

[Baldric]

Who in their right mind wants to bring back smoking in Pubs?

[emmie]

Baldric those who smoke and like a drink at the same time presumably. The dog ends outside our local pubs are an eyesore, why couldn't pubs offer a separate area for smokers as they used to do.

[anotheoldgit]

Before condemning this out of hand, due to your opposition to smoking, just think about it.

There is a separate air conditioned room set aside from the rest of the pub where the smokers could enjoy indoor pub facilities, while not having staff inhaling their tobacco smoke.

Incidentally I am not a smoker and I really frequent pubs, but I do have unselfish thoughts in support of smokers.

This outlawing of smokers hysteria,is led by certain pressure groups, and the way things are going perhaps we could soon see drinking establishments also being banned because they encourage the latest 'boggy-man' that being the 'Evil Drink'?

And before you all start coughing and spluttering thinking about all that tobacco smoke, just consider all the pollution you breath in everyday from the internal combustion engine.

Perhaps we should also ban all vehicles that are powered by that type of engine?

[sp1814]

As someone who successfully gave up ciggies back in October (and now feels comfortable being a hypocritically smug ex-smoker), I can honestly say that reintroducing smoking in pubs would be an insane move.

Even when I smoked, I liked the fact that I had to go outside for a ciggie because it actually slowed down the rate at which I smoked.

[emmie]

It's what i said, there was an outright ban and all pubs had to comply, without thinking it through, at least some places could have had a small designated area for smokers, and leave the bulk of the place to those who like their drink smoke free.

[anotheoldgit]

/// I can honestly say that reintroducing smoking in pubs would be an insane move. ///

/// Even when I smoked, I liked the fact that I had to go outside for a ciggie because it actually slowed down the rate at which I smoked. ///

I was always taught, it is extremely selfish to think only of one's self.

[sp1814]

Even so - smoke-free atmospheres in pubs/restaurants/pubic transport is a good thing.

In years to come, the very idea of smoking in a restaurant or pub will seem as ludicrous as smoking on tube trains does now.

[emmie]

totally understand about restaurants, as i always thought it very anti social when someone was puffing away on a cigarette or worse a cigar whilst i was eating.

[maggiebee]

Bit sexist McMouse! I hope they never bring back smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants. Nice to go home after an evening out without smelling of stale smoke.

[d9f1c7]

The smokers had their way for centuries, never gave a thought to non smokers. They forced the current situation on themselves by their selfishness. I sincerely hope that no future governement would be as retarded as to ever allowing smoking to return in it's previous form.

[emmie]

maggie, having worked in a number can testify to coming out from work smelling like an ash tray, don't smoke either.

[mazie]

Cant believe it's nearly 5 years since the smoking ban in England..I smoke but I wouldn't want to see the restriction lifted.

[LoftyLottie]

I am so happy that pubs are now smoke free. I never was able to stay in one for more than half an hour due to my eyes becoming painful and swelling up. The smoking public had no regard for the non smokers whatsoever, so maybe it's my turn to be selfish.