Okay, at the risk of being lynched on here.
As an ex-smoker, maybe my thinking is outdated, but I truly believe that there should be less of a patronising attitude by non-smokers towards smokers. As someone said, smoking is not illegal, so no-one has the right to say it shouldn't be allowed.

I think a lot has been achieved to eradicate the danger from passive smoking such as banning it in every public building and children's outdoor spaces. Even beaches. That is a good thing. Even smokers don't mind and accept that it is the law and must be obeyed (granted, they don't like standing outside in all weathers to have their smoke).but remember, even smokers want to protect children or not have smoke blown at them while they are eating a meal in a restaurant.

But to stigmatize a smoker as someone not fit to walk this earth as comments have always done whenever this topic comes up, is frankly rude and unkind to law-abiding, respectful people who happen to smoke.
Most of them follow the rules and are respectful in their smoking habit towards non-smokers. They have been left with only the fresh air outside to smoke, and smoke they do. If it is the misfortune that non-smokers happen to be in the vicinity of that smoker, Tough, smokers have learned to live with all the anti-smoking laws so maybe it is time for non-smokers to learn to be more tolerant and respectful in their attitude towards smokers. If it is their misfortune to come across a smoker, instead of the glaring look of disapproval (which you have absolutely no right to give) why don't you try using a bit of decorum, and just walk away and leave them alone to enjoy their cigarette.
Regardless of how you feel about smoking and smokers, stop treating them like lepers.

I don't have anyone smoking in my home. That is my personal choice, but I would never stop them smoking on the deck or in the garden, (I always provide ashtrays),and I happily join them out there. I would never dream of treating them as a them and us. Totally unacceptable. They are famiy, friends, neighbours. Why on earth would I make them ever feel uncomfortabe and unaccepted in my world.

Besides, most people will be priced out of buying cigarettes soon anyway. I was shocked to learn that a packet of 20 Silk Cut (which I used to smoke up to 6 years ago) now costs over £11.00 a packet!! Unbelievable.

Okay, at the risk of being lynched on here.
As an ex-smoker, maybe my thinking is outdated, but I truly believe that there should be less of a patronising attitude by non-smokers towards smokers. As someone said, smoking is not illegal, so no-one has the right to say it shouldn't be allowed.

I think a lot has been achieved to eradicate the danger from passive smoking such as banning it in every public building and children's outdoor spaces. Even beaches. That is a good thing. Even smokers don't mind and accept that it is the law and must be obeyed (granted, they don't like standing outside in all weathers to have their smoke).but remember, even smokers want to protect children or not have smoke blown at them while they are eating a meal in a restaurant.

But to stigmatize a smoker as someone not fit to walk this earth as comments have always done whenever this topic comes up, is frankly rude and unkind to law-abiding, respectful people who happen to smoke.
Most of them follow the rules and are respectful in their smoking habit towards non-smokers. They have been left with only the fresh air outside to smoke, and smoke they do. If it is the misfortune that non-smokers happen to be in the vicinity of that smoker, Tough, smokers have learned to live with all the anti-smoking laws so maybe it is time for non-smokers to learn to be more tolerant and respectful in their attitude towards smokers. If it is their misfortune to come across a smoker, instead of the glaring look of disapproval (which you have absolutely no right to give) why don't you try using a bit of decorum, and just walk away and leave them alone to enjoy their cigarette.
Regardless of how you feel about smoking and smokers, stop treating them like lepers.

I don't have anyone smoking in my home. That is my personal choice, but I would never stop them smoking on the deck or in the garden, (I always provide ashtrays),and I happily join them out there. I would never dream of treating them as a them and us. Totally unacceptable. They are famiy, friends, neighbours. Why on earth would I make them ever feel uncomfortabe and unaccepted in my world.

Besides, most people will be priced out of buying cigarettes soon anyway. I was shocked to learn that a packet of 20 Silk Cut (which I used to smoke up to 6 years ago) now costs over £11.00 a packet!! Unbelievable.

If 54,804 smoke 20 Bensons a day @ £11.70 a pack, the annual tax revenue would be £191,868.804, minus the £121.7m costs = a surplus of £70,168.804.
That would nearly build a Hospital.

It’s not a case of being holier than thou. OGF .
Many people myself included are badly effected by the smell of cigarette smoke .
As a child travelling on smoke filled buses and trains made me travel sick it was a daily torment .
Ditto going to the cinema or in any enclosed spaces .
As a young mother although I always tried to go into smoke free areas it was impossible with young children as smokers are in the main incredibly selfish and have no trouble invading the non smoking areas.

If asked to refrain they take offence as if you have committed a major impertinence or want to steal their virtue .

No smokers of the world have had a good run at making other people uncomfortable with their stinking cancer sticks .( which they inevitably hold so the smoke blows on someone else .)

They have ruined meals at restaurants days at the beach travelling by almost any mode put none smokers and children into dangerous health damaging situations .


So they can all get stuffed !
And as for young people who smoke they should be ashamed considering all the money that has been spent educating the dumbos that SMOKING KILLS .

Because the tide of public opinion has changed against them otherwise they would be puffing inconsiderably everywhere as they once did .
It’s such a relief to go out or travel on any mode without worrying that the person nect to you will light up and poor stinking smoke all over you and your young children .
As for calling none smoker holier than thou as if not being tolerant to a life threatening habit is somehow priggish and uptight or not cool - that thinking is so DATED .
How would smokers like to be called stupider than thou ?