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- tomboy501, on 10/12/2007, -8/+35I can't see this going over very well. The French love their smokes too much. There might be rioting in the streets of Paris.
- chriskzoo, on 10/12/2007, -14/+35Any world on banning BO?
- mrASSMAN, on 10/12/2007, -2/+20My state bans smoking in public areas already.. you can't even smoke within 20 feet of a window or entrance. Food tastes so much better now.
The local bars were really upset about it though. - Wingnut233, on 10/12/2007, -9/+26Not so much, they tend to riot at the drop of a hat.
- SmokedL, on 10/12/2007, -0/+15@jamessavik
"France is about to make the same mistake that the US did with prohibition in the 30s"
They are not banning smoking in general. They are only banning smoking in places where others are forced to breath your smoke, whether they want to or not. Bars, restaurants etc.
We have such a law already. It's very nice to be able to grab a beer without stinking afterwards. - tont0r, on 10/12/2007, -4/+19I was in france for awhile and i thought they were some of the nicest people i had ever met.
- labmonkey, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17Something tells me the people rioting would have to take lots of breaks to catch their breath.
- mattmaison, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14I'm a smoker who just moved to NYC from California two years ago. Both cities have bans on smoking in bars and restaurants and it isn't that big of a deal and is actually nice to not smell like rotting cigs in the morning after bars.
- vr113, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16Quite a lot of "anti-French" comments ... BTW the article is about the smoking ban in public places; not your intimate/xenophobic/hatred thoughts about France. Keep them for the time you actually meet French people.
Geez, so easy to generalize in front of your screen ... - leszek, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12google translation of a poll on lemonde.fr (famous french newspaper):
The parliamentary mission of information on the tobacco proposes total prohibition to smoke in the public places and on the places of work. There are you favorable?
Completely. 70%
Rather. 11.4%
Rather not. 6.9%
At all. 10.7%
Without opinion. 0.9% - andrewrchambers, on 10/12/2007, -7/+18you're an arrogant ***** - maybe they just have a different sense of humor/culture to you and you took offence to it.
- SmokedL, on 10/12/2007, -5/+16@jofu
"you're not forced to go into those bars or restaurants, so you're not forced to breathe that nasty second hand smoke."
The smokers right to smoke trumps the right of everyone else to be able to visit that bar. That's what you are saying. Screw that.
See that poll above? 81% and then some want the ban, but no bars have bans. The market obviously has failed. There is no invisible hand, no matter how much you wish it. - DesScorp, on 10/12/2007, -17/+28"True. Not a nation that will accept the nanny state I think."
Well Matt, that's too bad, because they got one long ago. When they decided that their government should take care of their every need from cradle to grave, this was inevitable. When you make government your mommy, mommy is going to start making your decisions for you, especially when she thinks you're being naughty. - Zippo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10In the majority of Canadian provinces (including my own and Quebec), there is a total ban on smoking in all public places, including bars. What a great difference. I can finally go to a bar without choking and smelling like ***** afterwards. My friends with asthma and smoke allergies are doubly happy about it. Smokers just go outside the doors to smoke. It's a huge relief for employees and non-smokers. A lot of smokers were obviously pretty pissed about it at first, but everyone's just used to it now.
- FrostySol, on 10/12/2007, -5/+15Agreed, won't happen. Last time I was over there I saw a teacher lighting up with her students at Musée D'Orsay!
- neoform, on 10/12/2007, -11/+21French love their smoke?
I live in Quebec (population about 7 million french), back in may they banned smoking in bars, clubs, restorants and even no smoking within 20 feet of entrances to public buildings (schools and government buildings).. only a small minority complained, everyone else loved it. - theone3, on 10/12/2007, -8/+18Smoking only banned in public places. Undugg for sensationalist title.
- Stopher, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10What will they do in all those French art movies?
- RickySan65, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9More sex i guess, which results in the need to smoke, which in return leads to more sex because they can't smoke.. damn.. thats a win win situation
- theone3, on 10/12/2007, -6/+15I still dont get why Americans hate the financiers of their revolution (not to mention their bringing democracy back to Europe).
- gin613, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Here in Ireland a smoking ban was put in place about 2 years ago, and there was A LOT of anger towards the government at the time from smokers. Now, though it has been only a short time everyone has already gotten used to it. Everyone, smoker or not likes to go to a pub and not have to get the smell of stale smoke everywhere so bad you need an oxygen tank, and the people who do smoke simply step out onto the street, then come back in. When the idea was first introduced they all said they didn't want to be out in the cold and now, they dint even mind. French people in general do smoke more but I think they'll be able to get used to it as well.
- andrewrchambers, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11i moved to france about two months ago and from my brief encounter with french culture all i can say is that this wont work. french people smoke a lot.
and to codyman - the stinky stuff is the best, down with cheddar and horrible rubbery dutch stuff - andrewrchambers, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8well in the UK the smoking ban is affecting all pubs, night clubs - pretty much everywhere.
i'm quite excited to go into a pub and smell a glade plug in instead of cigarettes, vomit and spilt guiness.
well actually i guess the vomit and spilt guiness are still there - jofu, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9to DesScorp:
Given that smoking is being banned in public spaces all over this country as well, maybe we could try not to draw connections to socialism. Thanks. - fallenone05, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Whats next? no more fast food for americans???
- stonebear, on 10/12/2007, -9/+15To silence an Italian, bind his hands behind his back.
But how does one silence a Frenchman?
Take away his cigarette. - brstilson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9So does that mean the one french person you met was an ***** 95% of the time?
- dateline1945, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6It's really not the issue of a person's right to smoke. What should be the issue is a small business owner's right to market an establishment to a certain type of crowd. If a business owner wants people to be able to smoke in their establishment, why should any government be able to take that right from them? Conversely, any owner that wants to keep people from smoking in their establishment should have a right to deem their establishment non-smoking. Capitalism is about having more options, not less.
- xenixninja, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9What is it with you guys? Smoking has nothing to do with your rights.
If it is human right to force something on to other people, then there is a lot we should legalize. - Zippo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6100% of the French people I've met are great people, whether they're Quebecois, of Acadian decent, or from St. Pierre et Miquelon. Maybe it's just a Canadian thing :P
My only complaint is that people in Montreal can't drive. Every time I've driven through Montreal I've been in fear of my life. - ike368, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8a lot of people are saying how it's not a person's right to smoke. i say, who are you to tell me what not to do to my own body? if you don't like it, you can stand further away, or ban in on your own property (i.e. your house, your bar, your store). public property belongs to the public. that includes all of us. you can't (shouldn't be allowed to) ban me from smoking on public property, it's just as much mine as it is yours.
personal freedoms FTW! - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6LAhazmat, did someone force you at gunpoint to eat a meal in a restaurant that allows smoking?
There are plenty of restaurants, even in france, that already ban smoking. Why dont you go eat in one of those restaurants? - iceperson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7"No. He's saying that the owner of the business has the right to decide which clientele to cater to.
It's called the free-market."
And the majority has a right to ban certain activities in the public's interest.
It's called Democracy. - thatbox, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Playing football makes you nasty. It makes you stink. You're quite likely to harm yourself in playing it.
Outlaw and ban it into oblivion ASAFP. - iceperson, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6"chownrus, you've got it exactly right. It's the business owner's business to make these decisions, not the government's."
So if I want to start an all white establishment that doesn't serve or employ blacks, asians, etc then you'd fight to defend my right to do so?
Just trying to see how free this market you advocate really is... - mobius20, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9You can shove anything you want up my ass when you conclusively prove that second hand smoke has any sort of health risk.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8I love all the non-smokers who get all high and mighty, saying the ban on smoking is because second hand smoke is so dangerous.
Well, in case you missed it, a diesel city bus puts out about a million times more smoke per second than a cigarette. In a city full of cars, do you REALLY have your priorities straight when you go after a guy smoking a cigarette on the corner, while the REAL pollution is automobiles?
It's like being attacked by sharks and then spending all your energy trying to kick away a minnow that is nibbling at your toe. It's called stupidity.
And if a private business wants to let people smoke, who gave you the right to say they can't? Can you go in and tell the business owner you don't like the decor and force him to change the carpet color?
And seriously- banning smoking in bars because you care about people's health? Here's a hint- drinking alcohol isn't exactly good for you either. People that go into bars aren't looking to get healthy. - ffachopper, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Here in Argentina, they started this ban last sunday. People is having a really hard time getting used to smoke only on the streets.
- BabyWookie, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6Here's an idea! How about letting the ***** private establishments decide whether they want to allow smoking or not?!? Crazy, I know.
I'm a casual smoker. I like to light one up when I go to a pub and have a cold one. Well, earlier this year, this local law came into effect, which bans smoking at any place that serves food, which included two of my favorite pubs. Needless to say, they don't get nearly as much of my friends' and mine business any more. We just go to this crappy, hole-in-the-wall place that only serves booze. It sucks, but at least you can have a smoke with your drink.
Now, I'm not one of those arrogant smokers who feel like they are entitled to smoke anywhere they want. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid exposing people to my second-hand smoke. But, why don't some pubs that serve food have the option of deciding to allow smoking and catering to smoker like me? I think it's retarded when the government steps in like this and tell private businesses what they can and can't do. - jofu, on 10/12/2007, -8/+11to SmokedL:
you're not forced to go into those bars or restaurants, so you're not forced to breathe that nasty second hand smoke. If consumers drive the market, and they want smoke free environments, don't give the bars or restaurants where smoking is allowed your patronage. If they lose money because of it, they will stop allowing it. We don't need laws that prohibit our choices in most cases. - heysuburbia, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6I agree, Philly just passed a smoking ban last week. I was finally able to pound some pints without itching my eyes all night.
Another thing I like about the ban is that it brings people out on the streets, now instead of everyone inside a bar people are hanging out on the streets which is helpful to see if I know anybody without going inside. - joerod, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4if greece would ban smoking i would say thats news, any other country its not even that big of a deal
- jalagl, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4In a restaurant in Paris, about two years ago, I requested a non-smoking table. The waiter took me to a table next to a couple that WAS smoking, and removed the ashtray!!
I think that's as "non-smoking" as you'll get over there.
So yes, I don't think this will go very well with those people. - FyreGoddess, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3You know, the problem I have is that I've encountered some incredibly rude and inconsiderate smokers more often than those who try to be considerate of those around them. For the most part the considerate smokers are those who really don't mind or even (*gasp*) support the ban on smoking in public areas.
I'm a smoker who chose to go outside before the laws were passed in my state - both in public places and in my private home. I've been subjected to other smokers who blew their smoke in the face of other smokers, non-smokers and/or children; I've seen cigarette butts tossed without care for where they landed (and been burned by them myself).
It has been my experience that the people most outraged by this tend to be those who are most inconsiderate about their smoking habits in general.
This isn't about individual rights, it's about imposing on other people. - LAhazmat, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7I hope they inact this law. Nothing worse than eating a great meal and having the smoke from the next table blowing in your face!
For those that are calling the French arrogent have not spent enough time with them. They are generous and tipically happy to help when asked, even if you butcher their language.
If Bush keeps up his ways, I might have to move back. - chownrus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4@Sirocco
>>From a business standpoint banning smoking is usually a net plus,
>>at least in the US.
This is exactly why I oppose a smoking ban. With the current public attitude toward smoking, there are plenty of establishments that cater to non-smokers. There is, however, a market for smokers as well. Let the business owners decide whom to cater to ... NOT the government. - iceperson, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4"iceperson, while that obviously doesn't have the support of current law, it's 100% A-OK by me. I prefer the government to be as hands-off as possible, and I recognize the tradeoffs."
So do you believe that there's a place for government regulatory agencies like the FDA, CDC, and the local health department? If so, then do you think they have a right to regulate/control things that are hazardous to the public even if they take place in privately owned establishments but are open to the public? - thatbox, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Smoking is something I do not choose to do, but I will defend with my vote my right to do it.
- kerby74, on 10/12/2007, -7/+9As a non smoker who is quite repulsed by smoking I say good; as a freedom loving government control hating American.... I say maybe I would take up smoking and say screw your stupid laws if this were something put into effect where I live.
For the sake of the French peoples remaining freedoms I hope they do get this repealed.
This is exactly the kind of thing that leads to Orwellian 1984 type problems. -
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