No Smoking on Boats with Children

I wonder if it really will become illegal on boats? In any event, I can't understand why anyone would want to smoke in the confines of a boat when youngsters are around. It just seems totally irresponsible..
 
At what point would you draw the line and say "this is too much interfering with peoples personal decisions?"

At the very least, they should outlaw alcohol, a MUCH bigger killer than smoking, and much more expensive on taxpayers, with police costs, and hospital costs.

So as a non smoker, I think we should ban alcohol long before cigarettes!
 
I bought a big dinghy, partly to be sure of having dry-stowage for my picnic hamper and cigars. Not that I can afford more than half a dozen smokes per year, but I really look forward to enjoying the wonderful aromatic little clouds from a £15 Havana, while sailing along in a light wind.

Must I be sure to pass downwind of sailing-school fleets, henceforth? :grey:

I tend to think nobody who witnesses my expensive habit occurring on a bargain-basement boat, will believe their eyes or noses, so the pollution issue/health-risk won't be raised.

Incidentally, everyone in whose company I've lit a Havana (even those who claimed to despise all smoking) were quick to compliment the rich, luxurious fragrance. Quality shows...

...so let's not tar all smoke with the same brush. :rolleyes:
 
Probably not the greatest idea to smoke inside a boat with children, or a car, or a home for that matter. That said, those would seek to legislate against it should be careful what they wish for, as once you start removing the choices you don't like, it's only a matter of time before those you do like reach the top of the list.

Of course children's health and welfare is important and, having removed the threat of smoke, it wont take too many more stories of children being attacked and killed by dogs for them to be banned on boats, in cars, or anywhere else that children might be.
 
All the anti-smoking legislation - ghoulish pictures no the packets, health warnings, hidden counter cabinets, public space bans, etc. are designed to 'de-glamour' the whole smoking experience and make it less likely that people will start smoking.
It is an attempt to undo the marketing job that tobacco companies have spent what billions of $$$$s on over the last decades. Tobacco companies have always relied on advertising to get people to spend their money on this rather strange habit.

The simple fact is that people smoke because they are addicted to tobacco. Not for any pleasure than to get that nicotine 'hit'. But how does one become addicted? You have to START smoking and to do that you have to buy into the 'cool' image promoted by the Marlboro man and the slickly painted F1 cars.

So, the enforceability of this, and all other, smoking legislation is immaterial. The real purpose is to 'demonise' smoking by educating people about the genuine risks. Smoking numbers are falling. Less young people are smoking these days. I think that is a good thing.

Sadly, I am a heavy smoker with little will power and a serious tobacco addiction. I am very pleased that my children do not smoke and I welcome any legislation, (however unenforceable), that makes it less likely for other people's children to start smoking.

Most smokers wish that they had never started. With the obvious health risks and cost (£8 a packet), how could anyone think otherwise. But, an addict is always an addict. Best never to start.
 
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