I went to the pub this lunchtime with three colleagues who enjoy a cigarette now and again - they were looking forward to a pint and a puff in the beer garden in the sun.
The pub was empty, but as you can imagine the beer garden was full: of the eight full tables in the beer garden at least half of them were completely occupied by non-smokers.
Now, even as a non-smoker, I thought this was completely unfair.
As smokers have been banished from inside, surely it is only fair that they take precedence over the non-smokers for the outside tables, even if the weather is glorious like today.
That's fair isn't it?
Those of us that choose not to smoke can't have it both ways.
I'd advocate signs along the lines of 'You must give up this table if a smoker requires it'
I agree with 4get. I know which one I'd chose though....Bring me the fags!!! lol
But then, as it is, I suppose you can't say ahything either way, it's just a "first come first served" basis really.
That's why I'm always in the pub by 4.33pm on a Friday afternoon! lol
I smoke. Don't think it's fair that those that want to sit outside on a beautiful day should have to make way for me cause I choose to poison myself on a daily basis.
I can go out the front. Or stand up and smoke and drink. The latter wouldn't be a preference though.
Can't say I agree. I have no objection to people smoking in a beer garden but those areas have not suddenly just become exclusive to smokers. First come first served rule applies. Nothing at all to do with having it both ways.
..a friend at work was telling me today about a pub in London, who has pavement tables with parasols...the landlord has placed " reserved for smokers only " on each table...
I hate to see people smoking "out the front" especially if there are a lot of people having to walk past say on a high street.I dont think people should be allowed to do this,especially if there is a garden out back.
but smokers are allowed inside the pub...should they not be allowed to sit down if a non smoker wants the seat during the winter?
beer gardens haven't just appeared...they have been there a long time and are for everyone - smokers cannot just 'claim' a communal area just because they need to use it more often than they used to!
All the coolest people smoke. I for one am cool enough not to get flustered by having to stand in the beer garden until there's a seat. Besides which, if there's a group of you and you join up with a table, they're hardly likely to pounce on you for sparking up as a group. Just tell them if they don't like it they have the choice to go inside with the rest of the uncool people.
Jean C . Do agree , it's not cool to smoke ,also smokers smell like ashtrays ,no they stink and I think the smoking ban is brill . �5 a packet for something that is killing you is crazy , just burn a �5 note !!