Blimey Start where is your missus going to play darts now?

Blimey Stuart where is your missus going to play darts now?

Greater emphasis needs to be made of the fact that fuel prices are going up all the time. Gas and Electric has gone up and foods are increasing fast as well. Those are bills that have to be paid, whereas going to the pub or a restaurant is less likely if you have less money in your pocket as its not a necessity for most of us.

Norville stop your start ing

With Wiltshire pubs' charging up to £3 for a childs soft drink it is not to hard to see why no one wants to use them. Publicans have cut thier own throats.

http://www.nelms.org
.uk/

AndrewLye wrote:
Greater emphasis needs to be made of the fact that fuel prices are going up all the time. Gas and Electric has gone up and foods are increasing fast as well. Those are bills that have to be paid, whereas going to the pub or a restaurant is less likely if you have less money in your pocket as its not a necessity for most of us.

What about your staffs wages. Do you pay them enough to be able to afford to drive a car to work and eat when they get home?

"We have all been hit by the smoking ban. People aren't going out to pubs in the evening in the numbers they used to."

Right so let everyone kill themselves and poison others just so that publicans can live in their accustomed luxury.

It is about time that non-smokers and smokers realised the devastating effect that this draconian smoking ban is causing. The public house is one of Britain's unique institutions that is being destroyed daily as we speak - 5 pubs per day are closing their doors for the final time. Once these pubs are closed and converted into dwellings, they will never re-appear again.

All that is required is a relaxation of this smoking ban to allow landlords to provide separate smoking areas with ventilation to satisfy all concerned. The smoking ban legislation was based on junk science to appease a few smoke- haters - most studies indicate that passive smoking is virtually harmless. Bring back freedom of choice and save our pubs, otherwise they will go in the same direction as the Post Offices. Action is required NOW.

Sarah Jane Newbury - you one sentence contribution to this debate highlights your complete ingnorance of the situation that landlords are facing up and down the country. Shame on you!!

So glad I don,t have to stink like an ashtray any more. Ban it completely outside of the family home.

Nothing new about the Grapes lease, but last weekend the current landlord reported he was staying on in the pub. Also heard last weekend that, allegedly, there is an application to turn the Riverside into appartments (no surprise there in view of the amount of accommodation everyone outside Bradford seems to think we need!) Also along with this news was that the George is going to cease being a pub as from the end of the year (allegedly). Looks like a new site for Woolley Festival needs to be found for 2009. Can't have a 'dry' Woolley Fez!

Bill wrote:
It is about time that non-smokers and smokers realised the devastating effect that this draconian smoking ban is causing. The public house is one of Britain's unique institutions that is being destroyed daily as we speak - 5 pubs per day are closing their doors for the final time. Once these pubs are closed and converted into dwellings, they will never re-appear again. All that is required is a relaxation of this smoking ban to allow landlords to provide separate smoking areas with ventilation to satisfy all concerned. The smoking ban legislation was based on junk science to appease a few smoke- haters - most studies indicate that passive smoking is virtually harmless. Bring back freedom of choice and save our pubs, otherwise they will go in the same direction as the Post Offices. Action is required NOW.

The smoking ban has little to do with greedy publicans going down the pan. It has already been pointed out that £3 for a kids soft drink is money grabbing and you don't go back to get ripped off twice. This can't even be blamed on government taxes as there is no alcohol duty on soft drinks. The soft drinks game along with the grub have always been the best earners for pubs'.

Having said that I reckon they got this smoking ban a r s e about t i t. Rather than force smokers out onto the pavement to poison every kid in a pram that goes past they would have been better off banning open air smoking and putting all these drug addicts together in a room inside the pub to all poison each other.

Yali wrote:
So glad I don,t have to stink like an ashtray any more. Ban it completely outside of the family home.

So it's ok for parents to poison their kids?

Yali,

If separate smoking areas were allowed indoors, your clothes would not smell of tobacco as you would not go into these areas. It is also recommended to wash clothes quite frequently regardless of tobacco smoke.

As for your suggestion for banning smoking outside the home, I would suggest this is totally unenforceable and without merit.

Disgusted of Westbury,

With all due respect, I suggest you do some research. Prior to the smoking ban enacted on 1st July 2007, numbers of pub closures were 1 per day, it is now 5 per day. I suggest it has everything to do with the smoking ban.

As for kids in prams suffering the ill-effects from a few wisps of tobacco smoke outside, the harm to them is ZERO. It appears you are happy with kids suffering the greater harm from transport pollution.

Furthermore, smokers are not drug-addicts, but partaking in a pefectly legal pastime.

Bill wrote:
Disgusted of Westbury, With all due respect, I suggest you do some research. Prior to the smoking ban enacted on 1st July 2007, numbers of pub closures were 1 per day, it is now 5 per day. I suggest it has everything to do with the smoking ban. As for kids in prams suffering the ill-effects from a few wisps of tobacco smoke outside, the harm to them is ZERO. It appears you are happy with kids suffering the greater harm from transport pollution. Furthermore, smokers are not drug-addicts, but partaking in a pefectly legal pastime.

PMSL- You HAVE to be a druggy smoker to have such stupid views Bill! The legality of tobbaco doesn't come into it. I assure you that as an ex-smoker I am fully aware that smokers are very much 'drug addicts' who pose a serious threat to both themselves and others with this disgusting habit. You are only kidding yourself if you think otherwise. Not only are they drug addicts but they use one of the most deadly drugs known to man.

As for public smoking having 'zero effect' on passing kids again I assure you that the smell alone is absloutely disgusting and not something that needs justifying by desperate half baked grasps at transport problems in a vague attempt to change the subject and blame someone else and in any event if you look through some of my old comments you will see that I am very much anti transport pollution.

Then again as a publican you will have made a good earner by selling DANGEROUS AND DEADLY DRUGS to people wouldn't you?

Give choice back to the publicans so they can allow smoking in theie pubs. This draconian ban has ruined publicans livelihoods & our social lives!

Disgusted of Westbury,

For every 1 study that shows that passive smoking may have a harmful effect on non-smokers, there are 6 others that show no harm or indeed a benefit to non-smokers.

I respect your right not to be exposed to tobacco smoke, but pleased respect my right to smoke indoors (especially in the winter months for obvious reasons). I fear that the New Labour propaganda machine on "passive smoking" has a new convert, but believe me the claims of harm are grossly exaggerated.

Your assumption that I am a publican is wide of the mark - I am just an ordinary joe bloggs who used to enjoy a pint and smoke in a pub, in peace, without government interference.

As for selling a dangerous and deadly drug, I think you will have to refer that issue to a real publican, as I think you mean alcohol.

Treat yourself to a day out at your local hospice Bill then tell me the claims against tobacco are exagerated.

Disgusted of Westbury.

Last post for the day.

I have never claimed that the harm from tobacco to the user does not exist. It is the harm to non-smokers that is grossly exaggerated. Remember non-smokers can die from lung cancer and it is not necessarily caused from so called passive smoking.

Your delusion is happening again Bill. Have you never heard of 'glue ear' in children and what causes it? That's right tobacco smoke from the parents ciggies.

I think it's just another sad reality of the controls the government are putting on us and treating us like children. Like the post office closures they are ripping the heart out of Englishness. Perhaps the government should stop and look at what the true effect of the smoking ban has been as they said there would be no loss of trade when the ban came in. Just like they are having to do with the 10p tax. Empty pubs mean empty tills and who then wants to spend the evening in an empty pub with the aroma of arm pit. And all the non smokers who said they didn't go in the pubs beacause of the smoke where are they - probably moaning about something else and asking for yet more contolling laws over some other issue they don't approve of. Also I suspect it is the breweries who are the greedy ones not the landlords - if they have to rent their pub from the brewery who can charge what rent they want and force the landlords to buy all their drinks from them at highly inflated prices what alternative do they have but to pass this on to their customers?. It's now time our MPs took up the cause before we are all forced to sit at front of the TV with a bottle of wine (just like the non smokers do) because there is nowhere left to go. It's an outrageous situation.

I think it's just another sad reality of the controls the government are putting on us and treating us like children. Like the post office closures they are ripping the heart out of Englishness. Perhaps the government should stop and look at what the true effect of the smoking ban has been as they said there would be no loss of trade when the ban came in. Just like they are having to do with the 10p tax. Empty pubs mean empty tills and who then wants to spend the evening in an empty pub with the aroma of arm pit. And all the non smokers who said they didn't go in the pubs beacause of the smoke where are they - probably moaning about something else and asking for yet more contolling laws over some other issue they don't approve of. Also I suspect it is the breweries who are the greedy ones not the landlords - if they have to rent their pub from the brewery who can charge what rent they want and force the landlords to buy all their drinks from them at highly inflated prices what alternative do they have but to pass this on to their customers?. It's now time our MPs took up the cause before we are all forced to sit at front of the TV with a bottle of wine (just like the non smokers do) because there is nowhere left to go. It's an outrageous situation.

" before we are all forced to sit at front of the TV with a bottle of wine (just like the non smokers do)"

This non-smoker usually sits indoors enjoying music and drinking a pint of home brew (at 20p for a bloody nice pint) or going for a walk (free).

I'd go to the pub' and be prepared to pay a pound a pint which would allow for a pub to make a substantial profit but no way am I paying £2.50 for something that costs the brewery pennies to make and still tastes of gnats p i s s.

I am sure the smoking ban is something that could be got round by a dedicated room as in the old 'snug' days but they have priced themselves out of my reach. I don't feel sorry for them. Let 'em sink or swim same as any other business.

Here , here Josey of Westbury!

If you read the last paragraph from Disgusted, it appears even our resident anti-smoker may be prepared to compromise with a "snug room" for smokers. Here, here Disgusted.

but it proves my point - digusted is vocal about smoking in pubs but admits he never goes in one. So why moan about it if it does not afftect you! Smoking was banned for the like of him/her!! And those that moan about paying for kids drinks - well I'm sorry pubs are not the places for kids they should be at home with a babysitter - pubs are for adults - adults don't want to spend their evenings knee deep it other people's badly behaved brats.

"digusted is vocal about smoking in pubs but admits he never goes in one."

That is not what I said at all. You are muddled and confused. I said I rarely go into pubs' as the end product is too expensive. The smoking is another matter.

As for kids and pubs'. perahps you woud;l like to tell me what the swings and slides are for in the BEER GARDEN at the Horse and Groom?

In any event you speak only for the behaviour of your own children not mine.

I do wonder about where it's all going.

Pub booze is overpriced - particularly (spectacularly) in the south. Those prices are generally set (fixed) by the (greedy beyond belief)pub management companies and the free houses are generally happy to follow. Rip off Britain indeed.

There's already plenty of evidence that drinkers are taking their supermarket + booze shop drink to the streets - around Bath there's several spots where drinkers gather and leave a trail of bottles, cans and smouldering "camp fires" surprisingly close to the centre.


The smoking ban - oh yeah what a great idea! I was recently in Norway where they have more than their fair share of head up a r s e nanny stater politicians and I think about the longest record of public smoking bans ...... and, for the second time the good folk of Norway are flouting the smoking ban in bars - with smoking rooms. Their first smoking ban in 1991 I think it was was an abject failure with mass public disobedience.

That's what we need here - some folk with a bit of spine.....

If it says "DANGER smokers inside" over the door - you have a choice.

Seems logical to me to have dedicated rooms with good extraction in which smokers can indulge.

Non-smokers go in at their peril.

Is there not a way for a club to be registered such that an area becomes for members, who can smoke in peace?

YetiJoe wrote:
Seems logical to me to have dedicated rooms with good extraction in which smokers can indulge. Non-smokers go in at their peril. Is there not a way for a club to be registered such that an area becomes for members, who can smoke in peace?

AIUI (and I may not do so very well) the room would become a workplace so that idea is a non starter.

Didn't our great leaders make an exception for the old boys club in Parliament? Nip down there for a puff.

Great day for the UK when they banned smoking. Go to the USA and Canada, has it stopped business there....not at all in fact business in bars is on the up. Know why, cos they offer a clean, environmentally friendly place with good atmosphere with first rate service and food that is well done, served in time, and is hot, and is reasonably priced. Problem here is we charge top prices for crap service in crap pubs with crap attitudes towards customers and serve up crap food at expensive prices because there are far too many greedy landlords around!

Shut'em all down for me!

Great day for the UK when they banned smoking. Go to the USA and Canada, has it stopped business there....not at all in fact business in bars is on the up. Know why, cos they offer a clean, environmentally friendly place with good atmosphere with first rate service and food that is well done, served in time, and is hot, and is reasonably priced. Problem here is we charge top prices for crap service in crap pubs with crap attitudes towards customers and serve up crap food at expensive prices because there are far too many greedy landlords around!

Shut'em all down for me!

Anyone bought a round of drinks lately?

Sorry, but it's a rich mans sport now.

Sad as it is, the only time I go out to a 'pub' is for meals on special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries and then you need to save and finacially plan for it.

Sorry but 3 crates of Budwieser for £15 at Asda beats one round for 4 people down the pub anyday.

Sorry, but if they close, they close. It's just business it's not personal.

Upforit

It is hardly a great day for the near 2,000 pubs that have shut since the smoking ban. Loss of amenity for all (smokers/non-smokers alike) and unemployment for the people who worked behind the bars. The premis that passive smoking kills is wafer-thin and therefore any law passed on this dubious scientific evidence should be ignored. However, the plain fact remains choice should prevail with smoking and non-smoking venues.

I had not realised what an uncharitable bunch you lot are in Trowbridge. Remind me to avoid it in future.

We are avoiding Bradfor-on Avon so no worries Bill

Reading through some of the posts on here, looks like I hit a site for puritans. Prohibition did not work the first time around either.
How many of you smoke-haters poison your kids before they have the car fumes to face?
http://www.ourlittle
place.com/chemicals.
html
3. BENZYL ACETATE (in: perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach, after shave, deodorants)
Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer); "From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough." "In mice: hyperanemia of the lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects." "Do not flush to sewer."
http://www.mamasheal
th.com/doc/cleanprod
.asp
FURNITURE POLISH: contain petroleum distillates, which are highly flammable and can cause skin and lung cancer. They contain nitrobenzene, which is easily absorbed through the skin and extremely toxic.
I do feel sorry for the publicans, but they did not stand up and fight for their smoking customers. I would not dream of having a holiday is this Godforsaken Country either. I go where there is tolerance. Hatred is not healthy for our children either. Alcohol is next, it has already started. So those of you who like a drink be prepared for the filthy name calling that normally comes with these bans.
http://www.bmj.com/c
gi/content/full/326/
7398/1057
Enstrom/Kabat study
Also-
http://cleanairquali
ty.blogspot.com/
Air quality testing by Johns Hopkins University, the American Cancer Society, a Minnesota Environmental Health Department, and various researchers whose testing and report was peer reviewed and published in the esteemed British Medical Journal......prove that secondhand smoke is 2.6 - 25,000 times SAFER than occupational (OSHA) workplace regulations:
http://www.innthecol
d.com 1000 Pubs in 90 days, can you help with this one?

freedom2choose.info -- for tolerant non-smokers and smokers alike
Please show your support, join our forums, become members

Disgusted of wrote:
Treat yourself to a day out at your local hospice Bill then tell me the claims against tobacco are exagerated.

the health cheifs would like you to think every single person who has smoked dies of lung cancer but it is just not true.
they will have you believing that farting causes cancer before long.
why should smokers be made to feel degraded? without the tax from their fags imagine how much the tax on your petrol would be then

mrsclunky wrote:

Disgusted of wrote: Treat yourself to a day out at your local hospice Bill then tell me the claims against tobacco are exagerated.

the health cheifs would like you to think every single person who has smoked dies of lung cancer but it is just not true. they will have you believing that farting causes cancer before long. why should smokers be made to feel degraded? without the tax from their fags imagine how much the tax on your petrol would be then

Another smoker (drug addict). If you think that smoking doesn't cause cancer you are only kidding yourself.

I tip my hat to Jim, Julie and Peter for all their efforts, and the memory of the music that they have helped us to enjoy.

Disgusted of wrote:

mrsclunky wrote:

Disgusted of wrote: Treat yourself to a day out at your local hospice Bill then tell me the claims against tobacco are exagerated.

the health cheifs would like you to think every single person who has smoked dies of lung cancer but it is just not true. they will have you believing that farting causes cancer before long. why should smokers be made to feel degraded? without the tax from their fags imagine how much the tax on your petrol would be then

Another smoker (drug addict). If you think that smoking doesn't cause cancer you are only kidding yourself.

wrong again disgusted, becoming quite a habit of yours, you have stated YOUR opinion on smoking you dont like it, others do, i do not smoke but i feel others can please themselves and not be discriminated against for it, as for the smoking ban, maybe they should have had a vote, i know i would have voted against it.

Disgusted continues to use the phrase drug addict when it comes to smokers.

It is interesting that only today Australian researchers are indicating there is "no safe level of alcohol consumption". This phraseology is very familiar as it was used in the anti-tobacco war against smokers. Given that the same propoganda will be used in the war on alcohol consumption, I am quite at liberty to refer to Disgusted as an "alcohol addict". Smell the coffee, Disgusted, we (the British public) are being used in a mass social engineering experiment by New Labour. Still, judging by last week's local elections, Gordie McBean may be getting the message - "Get off our backs".

mrsclunky wrote:

Disgusted of wrote:

mrsclunky wrote:

Disgusted of wrote: Treat yourself to a day out at your local hospice Bill then tell me the claims against tobacco are exagerated.

the health cheifs would like you to think every single person who has smoked dies of lung cancer but it is just not true. they will have you believing that farting causes cancer before long. why should smokers be made to feel degraded? without the tax from their fags imagine how much the tax on your petrol would be then

Another smoker (drug addict). If you think that smoking doesn't cause cancer you are only kidding yourself.

wrong again disgusted, becoming quite a habit of yours, you have stated YOUR opinion on smoking you dont like it, others do, i do not smoke but i feel others can please themselves and not be discriminated against for it, as for the smoking ban, maybe they should have had a vote, i know i would have voted against it.

Not my opinions at all nor is it wrong. The people who have informed me that smoking causes cancer and death have spent most of their lives studying medicine but if you think that doctors are all wrong then it is sad how desperate you are to justify this filthy, disgusting and deadly habit. Of course people do NOT chose to smoke. They are DRUG ADDICTS and have no choice in the matter.

Necker wrote:
Anyone bought a round of drinks lately? Sorry, but it's a rich mans sport now. Sad as it is, the only time I go out to a 'pub' is for meals on special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries and then you need to save and finacially plan for it. Sorry but 3 crates of Budwieser for £15 at Asda beats one round for 4 people down the pub anyday. Sorry, but if they close, they close. It's just business it's not personal.

You've got me blubbing into my can of diet coke now....thanks dude.

Bill wrote:
Disgusted continues to use the phrase drug addict when it comes to smokers. It is interesting that only today Australian researchers are indicating there is "no safe level of alcohol consumption". This phraseology is very familiar as it was used in the anti-tobacco war against smokers. Given that the same propoganda will be used in the war on alcohol consumption, I am quite at liberty to refer to Disgusted as an "alcohol addict". Smell the coffee, Disgusted, we (the British public) are being used in a mass social engineering experiment by New Labour. Still, judging by last week's local elections, Gordie McBean may be getting the message - "Get off our backs".

Anyone who gets perverse pleasure from sticking a bonfire in their mouth and lighting it has to have a screw loose or be addicted to something in the bonfire. Of course smokers are DRUG ADDICTS. I don't know of anyone who smokes an occasional cigarette but there are plenty of people who have an occasional drink. Having been both a very heavy drinker and a very heavy smoker in the past I know that drinking was the easiest to give up. There is no doubt whatsoever that nicotine is probably the most addictive DRUG on the planet. Far more addictive than heroin.

The most widespread addictive substance there is is probably tea anyway and there is plenty of evidence that tea can cause cancer.

Disgusted of Westbury should get off his soapbox, we get the message - you do not like smoking.

The reformed smoker (and drinker) always make the worst anti-smokers. What do they want - medals?

Food for thought - If nicotine in cigarettes is that addictive, how come millions of people have given up smoking including Disgusted.

I don't want anything. It is *YOU* who started having a pop at non-smokers. It just goes to show how desperate you are to justify the filthy habit but as you insist.....

I tried many times to give up smoking and it was only after watching my old man die in agony of cancer that I managed to pluck up enough will power to stop. That was 22 years ago so you do have at least one point correct. The disgusting, filthy DRUG ADDICTION of tobacco smoking can be beaten but it is definitely not easy.

Well digusted - u really are on your soap box... perhaps they should go the whole hog and ban drinking in pubs too as its bad for you, and people with a weight problem eating in them beacuse they need to diet. Its about time this government got a life and let people live their life as they want to. Disgusted if people have a fag in a pub its not going to affect you as you don't go in and if you do you can sit with your little monsters on the swings in the beer garden and make sure they behave - but watch out these too may be banned incase your cherub hurts itself on one.

Disgusted of wrote:
I don't want anything. It is *YOU* who started having a pop at non-smokers. It just goes to show how desperate you are to justify the filthy habit but as you insist..... I tried many times to give up smoking and it was only after watching my old man die in agony of cancer that I managed to pluck up enough will power to stop. That was 22 years ago so you do have at least one point correct. The disgusting, filthy DRUG ADDICTION of tobacco smoking can be beaten but it is definitely not easy.

ex smokers are always the worst

Sarah Jane Newbury wrote:
"We have all been hit by the smoking ban. People aren't going out to pubs in the evening in the numbers they used to." Right so let everyone kill themselves and poison others just so that publicans can live in their accustomed luxury.

SHUT UP FREAK!!!!!

Gosh, don,t the ashtrays get on their high horses now their disgusting habit is all but banned. Get used to it guys your days are gone and we can all live without your taxes.
Mrsclunky is right though, us ex-smokers are the worst, I am really embarrassed that I used to subject people to such a disgusting habit.

I'm glad your embarressed. Not that your embarrassment or hang-ups affect us one iota. Thats between you and yourself surely.

As taxes dwindle in one area, they go up in another. I'm afraid that you will pay for your convictions via other means, beit fuel, bread, 10p tax, rates whatever the powers decide is the best way to make up the shortfall.

Most smokers now get tobacco products from abroad so apart from a smoke down the pub the only losers are the people through the re-jigged taxes.

It's becoming apparent that all our lives are being affected by tax hikes so your statement should be 'I can live with the raised tax levels' Am I wrong?

Your right Ex-smokers should be banned from commenting on smoking. Let it go.... You nothing to do with them anymore. Or... maybe... do you crave a 'cheeky' puff when no-ones looking... go on.. you know you want to...it's sooo goood... you miss it dont you... All ex-chuffers do.

The smoking ban hasn't made a bit of difference to pubs selling reasonably priced drinks such as Wetherspoons.

And ... I know a lot of people (myself included) who go to pubs and restaurants a lot more often now smoking has been banned.

Heckler wrote:
And ... I know a lot of people (myself included) who go to pubs and restaurants a lot more often now smoking has been banned.

How do you get past the smog machine that stands outside the doors?

I stayed at the Riverside while in the UK last year and met Peter and his wonderful family. I am very sad to hear the smoking ban destroyed what seemed to be a warm and wonderful gathering place where people had fun and built a community together.

Antismokers like to say there's "no cost" to their bans. There IS a cost, and it's not only in pounds 'n pence: it's in the social disruption on many, many levels that bans create. Ireland has had a significant portion of the lifeblood of its culture laid waste by a government-imposed universal ban, and now the same is happening to England.

Very, very sad.

Michael J. McFadden
Author of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"

Necker wrote:
I'm glad your embarressed. Not that your embarrassment or hang-ups affect us one iota. Thats between you and yourself surely. As taxes dwindle in one area, they go up in another. I'm afraid that you will pay for your convictions via other means, beit fuel, bread, 10p tax, rates whatever the powers decide is the best way to make up the shortfall. Most smokers now get tobacco products from abroad so apart from a smoke down the pub the only losers are the people through the re-jigged taxes. It's becoming apparent that all our lives are being affected by tax hikes so your statement should be 'I can live with the raised tax levels' Am I wrong? Your right Ex-smokers should be banned from commenting on smoking. Let it go.... You nothing to do with them anymore. Or... maybe... do you crave a 'cheeky' puff when no-ones looking... go on.. you know you want to...it's sooo goood... you miss it dont you... All ex-chuffers do.

No, got far better things to spend my money on. And taxes ? don,t affect me, far too wealthy for that.
Another pint please barman in this nice smoke free pub.

Michael J. McFadden wrote:
I stayed at the Riverside while in the UK last year and met Peter and his wonderful family. I am very sad to hear the smoking ban destroyed what seemed to be a warm and wonderful gathering place where people had fun and built a community together. Antismokers like to say there's "no cost" to their bans. There IS a cost, and it's not only in pounds 'n pence: it's in the social disruption on many, many levels that bans create. Ireland has had a significant portion of the lifeblood of its culture laid waste by a government-imposed universal ban, and now the same is happening to England. Very, very sad. Michael J. McFadden Author of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"

At last someone with authority on the subject rather than half thought through non-opinions.

Anti-mokers are anti-smokers whatever the cost, financial or social. There you have it.

Yali UK,

This smoking ban will be amended and CHOICE will be available to smokers and non-smokers. At least this will have the effect of segregating people fom the smug, self-centred and obnoxious bigot that is Yali.

Michael J. McFadden wrote:
I stayed at the Riverside while in the UK last year and met Peter and his wonderful family. I am very sad to hear the smoking ban destroyed what seemed to be a warm and wonderful gathering place where people had fun and built a community together. Antismokers like to say there's "no cost" to their bans. There IS a cost, and it's not only in pounds 'n pence: it's in the social disruption on many, many levels that bans create. Ireland has had a significant portion of the lifeblood of its culture laid waste by a government-imposed universal ban, and now the same is happening to England. Very, very sad. Michael J. McFadden Author of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"

However did the Irish earn a living before cigarettes were invented?

Did they swap this marvelous new technology for the secret of the potato?

Bill wrote:
Yali UK, This smoking ban will be amended and CHOICE will be available to smokers and non-smokers. At least this will have the effect of segregating people fom the smug, self-centred and obnoxious bigot that is Yali.

No it won,t Bill, smokers are history thank god. Non smokers never had a choice when smoking was the norm, now the boot is on the foot and ashtrays like you can whinge as much as you want, you are hýstory !!

So, out of anyone here. Would you buy a pub??

super pip wrote:
So, out of anyone here. Would you buy a pub??

Is this going to be a joke about the 'Russell Arms'?

Never been russell arms and dont know where it is. i visit pubs for meals etc via word of mouth and its never cropped up.

Bill wrote:
Upforit It is hardly a great day for the near 2,000 pubs that have shut since the smoking ban. Loss of amenity for all (smokers/non-smokers alike) and unemployment for the people who worked behind the bars. The premis that passive smoking kills is wafer-thin and therefore any law passed on this dubious scientific evidence should be ignored. However, the plain fact remains choice should prevail with smoking and non-smoking venues. I had not realised what an uncharitable bunch you lot are in Trowbridge. Remind me to avoid it in future.

Shame!

Jesus, someone actually wants to vist Trowbridge...I think not. Why not wind your neck in and accept some people have opposite views to you. I bet you vote Labour!

THE RIVERSIDE IS A GOLD MINE!!!!!!!! it would b a piece of p to make that place boom! ignor the laws and deal with legal stuff as it comes jjst grab the money you looneys!!!!