I don't know if anyone remembers the news thread, but i remember saying that the smoking ban would ruin pubs in the UK.

Five British pubs close every day, Not just from the smoking ban, food costs, beer costs, ect. One of my local pub owners said her profits dropped 30% since the smoking ban. Some think that in 25 years, we won't have any pubs.

I think it's a shame. And the government are planning on putting more red tape on pubs, Which will costs them even more.

The supermarkets sell beer for such a low price compared to going to the pub, and if you're a smoker, why go to the pub when you can sit at home with a few mates, smoke and drink for cheaper.

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I was thinking about the very same news thread a few days ago, actually. I love the smoking ban, I think it's one of the best ever health policies Labour implemented.

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In my opinion, the smoking ban has ruined more important things than a pub. My theory is that the smoking ban has caused the current recession. With all those smokers giving up because they like making arses of themselves in pubs, the government has lost all the income from the tax those ex-smokers used to pay on their pack of smokes. Therefore they have had to raise fuel prices, energy prices and lord only knows what else to make up for the revenue lost from smokers.

But hey I'm only a 20 yr old mother from the SW, what the fuck do I know?

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Labour jacked the taxes up on everything looong before the smoking ban.

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Probably because they knew how much damage the ban would do. I'm not saying it's a bad thing healthwise for the non-smokers, just financially for EVERYBODY.

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when the ban first came into effect, i really didn't like it, because it just meant everyone smoked at bus stops twice as much, and i take the bus to school, and that was horrible. it's getting better, but i do think that it should have been allowed in pubs still. i miss walking into a smoky pub for a family meal every few months!

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I lost my teddy, will you sleep with me?

- i'm hers

Do you seriously have family meals in pubs?

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sometimes. only once every few months, we meet up with my aunt & co. and find somewhere to go have a meal.

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I lost my teddy, will you sleep with me?

- i'm hers

What's it like?

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awful, mostly X) I love my aunt and cousin, so me and my sister will talk to them, and my mother will just sit and bitch at the air, and the men just sit there looking awkward. it's better than with just my sister and parents, though, that's just ridiculous. but i guess it's ok with my aunt &co.

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I lost my teddy, will you sleep with me?

- i'm hers

We could never eat in a pub, or anywhere that served alcohol, you'd never get my bio-father out of there.

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pubs aren't really that exciting anymore. a lot of them are trying to become more upmarket so they don't have to close since the smoking ban, so it's like they're trying to be restaurants but not quite getting there.

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I lost my teddy, will you sleep with me?

- i'm hers

That'd be like McDonalds starting a "reservation only" policy.

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yeah, it doesn't really work.

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I lost my teddy, will you sleep with me?

- i'm hers

I think the smoking ban is great.

I never went into town when the ban wasn't there, but a mate was saying that when you got home, all your clothes would stink, and in the morning all your bedding would as well.

Surely just because a few pubs are closing down thats not a good enough reason for the ban to be lifted.

And before anyone says about smoking areas in pubs/clubs. Would you go to a swimming pool with a area for people to piss in?

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A lot of people piss in swimming pools. Doesn't put me off. That's what chlorine is for.

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:/ Don't most places that serve food serve alcohol as well? I don't understand what's so bad about eating in pubs, either. Yeah, there's a load of manky places, but you get a lot of pubs that do really nice food, especially if you go out into the countryside.

And as far as the smoking ban goes, I'm completely indifferent to it.

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Mark says:
the guy was sick
Mark says:
then his mam died
Mark says:
the bitch.

Most places yes. With a father like mine you learn to hunt out the places that don't serve alcohol with dinner. Since the smoking ban though he only drinks at home. Which is a bonus cos he can't really hurt himself lol!

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I like the fact I don't have to passive smoke anymore.

My college has taken this ban a step further and introduced a no smoking on campus policy, so everyone gagging for a cigarette is crowded around the front outside the gates like there is a fair going on or something.

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5 pubs a day close, in a year that is 1800 in a year, There is roughly 60,000 pubs in the UK.

This number will rise, The english pub is a british way of life, and most pubs are in risk of and/or in debt.

And to be honest, The "few" Say that this smoking ban is great, it's amazing, but pubs are still closing down because of lack of business.

And by the way, i've eaten in some of the best resturants in the country, And i honistly have to say the best meal i've had is at a pub at whitewalls, it's a golf club. I go there often, and it's a pub.

And about pissing in swimming pools commient, that is so stupidly ridiculus its funny. Smoking has, and always has been a part of pub culture, pissing and swimming aren't remotely connected, unless you have some mental problems, or have a bladder problem. either way, you should stay away from swimming pools.

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Not really, smoke travels around the room, and so does piss in a swimming pool. So having a smoking area, is like having a area to piss in a pool.

And surely if pubs are closing they need to do something better than supermarkets (Not cheap drinks for example, but make it more appealing with themed nights or something).

I would much rather go to Tescos and get a load of drink to have at home with mates, than pay the prices at the pubs anyway.

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You think thats bad?

In Canada, they just passed a bill that states that NO ONE can smoke in a car with anyone underthe age of 16. Thats right, you can't even smoke in the privacy of your own vehicle if you have anyone under 16 with you.

I think THAT is bloody ridiculous. The fine for being caught doing it is something ridiculous like 500 bucks.

I had to coach my 14 year old brother on his birth year if we ever got pulled over for my smoking in the car.

THAT, folks, is bollocks.

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