Going to the pub 26th March? [Archive]

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pilchardman

05-02-2006, 00:22

That'll be good, eh?

Here we go

05-02-2006, 01:45

aye

Velouria

05-02-2006, 17:39

No it won't it'll be fucking bollocks.

Fucking health Nazi bastards :(

geminisnake

05-02-2006, 20:38

Any particualr pub pilch?? At least it won't stink of nasty smelly cigarettes ;) :D

Velouria

05-02-2006, 21:19

Any particualr pub pilch?? At least it won't stink of nasty smelly cigarettes ;) :D
Grr.

Anyway, I've lost this argument under Godwin's Law, haven't I?

Bah :(

I don't mind the ban. What I do mind is its scale. They are even talking about banning smoking in PARKS for fuck's sake.

Wankers :(

pilchardman

05-02-2006, 23:32

I hate it when, on a lovely summer's day, you're minding your own business on a park bench, when a dangerous anti social cancer assassin sits down next to you and wafts smoke in your nose! :mad:

Velouria

05-02-2006, 23:50

I hate it when, on a lovely summer's day, you're minding your own business on a park bench, when a dangerous anti social cancer assassin sits down next to you and wafts smoke in your nose! :mad:
Bugger off to the hills, then :p

It amazes me how people whinge about fag smoke, yet because they can't see vehicle pollution (except on hot days) it's no issue...

chio

06-02-2006, 09:29

But car fumes don't get stuck in your clothes!

geminisnake

06-02-2006, 12:14

Pilch doesn't drive afaik :p

You drive and smoke so you're EVIL :D

pilchardman

06-02-2006, 13:56

Bugger off to the hills, then :p

It amazes me how people whinge about fag smoke, yet because they can't see vehicle pollution (except on hot days) it's no issue...I don't like exhaust fumes either. But at least people don't drive into pubs and cafes and leave the motor running!

Look, pubs and public spaces have had 400 years to sort out equitable voluntary arrangements, but refused to do so. So I have no sympathy for them now. :p

Velouria

06-02-2006, 23:54

Pilch doesn't drive afaik :p

You drive and smoke so you're EVIL :D
I even smoke while driving :p

geminisnake

07-02-2006, 11:17

I even smoke while driving :p

They'll make that illegal soon :p

Velouria

09-02-2006, 18:24

They'll make that illegal soon :p
Technically it is anyway.

Fuckin' nanny state :p

The Boy

09-02-2006, 20:34

Anyone buckling under the pressure and planning on giving up in time for the smoking ban? I was thinking about it as I have been psyching myself up for quite a while but never taken the step, but then I saw an advert or somesuch suggesting the idea and I though "hey, that's just what the man wants you to do...erm...man." so I'm keeping the fags up as an act of rebellion/

Plus, if fewer people are smoking then it might actually start making me look dangerous/cool/hard which is the only reason I started in the first place. Lung cancer seemed like a fair trade off when I was 13.*

ETA: *I've just reread my post and realised that smoking does make you look dangerous, cool and hard, so you can ignore the second paragraph. :)

geminisnake

09-02-2006, 22:38

Technically it is anyway.

Fuckin' nanny state :p

I kinda thought it was, something about not being in control isn't it?

pilchardman

11-02-2006, 15:09

then I saw an advert or somesuch suggesting the idea and I though "hey, that's just what the man wants you to do...erm...man." so I'm keeping the fags up as an act of rebellion/Good plan. Stick it to the Man by getting cancer; that'll show them.

The Boy

12-02-2006, 12:54

Good plan. Stick it to the Man by getting cancer; that'll show them.

Obviously I wasn't being serious :rolleyes: ;) :) . I've kept smoking because I'm addicted to the old burn at the back of my throat. It's an illness man, it's an illness.

pilchardman

12-02-2006, 13:17

It's an illness man, it's an illness.
Poor me, poor me, pour me anoth...erm...light me another. ;) :p

The Boy

12-02-2006, 16:40

Poor me, poor me, pour me anoth...erm...light me another. ;) :p

*pours pilch a vodka & red Kola*

*coughs and splutters to an early grave*

pogofish

14-02-2006, 10:28

Bugger off to the hills, then :p

Believe it or not, the Cairngorms Park Authority have been talking about it for there too! :eek:

I believe something might be happening in Edinburgh & Glasgow on the 27th but details are sketchy.

A potential gathering in a central Aberdeen site on the Monday lunchtime is just in the discussion stage but we'd probably be outnumbered by kids from a nearby school on their fag-break anyway. :(

Velouria

18-02-2006, 18:28

Well anyway ... my personal experiences, having been in a colder country where they have laws against smoking (Norway) ... They'd actually been quite liberal in how they'd catered for those who still smoke. Most of the bars had a small deck area outside, with tables and patio heaters, where you could enjoy your habit. Oh yes, it was minus 16 and snowing too. But, the bars had also thought of that and had a pile of warmed blankets, the cheap serge-like material sorta stuff ... and you just took a warmed blanket and went out and enjoyed yourself. When it got too much, or it was time for the next pint, you went back in and warmed up again. Overall it was quite pleasant, as long as the wind wasn't excessive :)

However, it looks like Scottish councils are going to be complete cunts, and we will not have arrangements that are anywhere near as civilised. Or even, as pogofish points out, ANY arrangement. Planning permission just to let people stand outside? WTF?

If councils were to be more accommodating ... sigh. Mind you we are talking about 'cooncilors' here; a breed renowned for stupidity :p

PS: I could also go smoke in the hotel's underground car park. However, that will be illegal in Scotland (Norway = any premises where food and/or drink is served...)

pilchardman

19-02-2006, 14:46

FWIW, what could have happened would have been that since the majority of adults don't smoke (some 66% according to one set of figures, but whatever it is could be settled) there could be 66% of pubs that are non smoking in any licensing authority area. Thus councils issuing licenses would say OK, we have 6 licenses left for smoking pubs - say - and the rest must be non smoking. That way smokers would be catered for proportionately, as would non smokers.

However, the license trade weren't up for this option. They wanted things to stay pretty much as they were, with maybe 1 or 2 % making serious efforts to come to an arrangement. So if you want to vent you anger, vent it at pubs because they screwed up. They missed their chance to find a solution (if not that one, then another), and so were in the end faced with compulsion.

As I say, they had 400 years to sort it out. So I've no sympathy.

pogofish

19-02-2006, 18:29

They missed their chance to find a solution (if not that one, then another), and so were in the end faced with compulsion.

I'm not convinced that was the case, tho it is true that the arrogance of many licencees toward the licencing authorities may not have helped matters.

I took the impression from the outset that this legislation was intended to be a full ban - long before any votes/consultation. :(

pilchardman

19-02-2006, 18:51

I took the impression from the outset that this legislation was intended to be a full ban - long before any votes/consultation. :(When was the legislation first flagged up? 400 years ago?

Donna Ferentes

19-02-2006, 23:35

Yeah (http://www.monologues.co.uk/Bob_Newhart/Tobacco.htm)

exosculate

19-02-2006, 23:42

Good plan. Stick it to the Man by getting cancer; that'll show them.

You're obsessed. You sound like a New Labour spin Dr. Libertarian my arse.

pilchardman

20-02-2006, 19:14

Exo, it was intended to be humorous. Something you seem to have lost recently. Try yoga; I'm told many people find it relaxing

The Boy

21-02-2006, 09:47

Is the smoking ban going to cover bus stops? Some old pissed fella was moaning about me having a fag whilst waiting for a bus last night and it got me thinking.

pogofish

21-02-2006, 13:29

Is the smoking ban going to cover bus stops? Some old pissed fella was moaning about me having a fag whilst waiting for a bus last night and it got me thinking.

They are using a "ratio of openness" for outdoor structures like bus stops, tents, marquees & even smoking shelters. If the structure is less than 50% "open", it will qualify as enclosed for the purpose of the ban. So yes, some forms of bus stop will be covered;

eg

This type will remain legal to smoke in:

http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/transport/images/tc_bus_stop.jpg

Whilst this kind won't:

http://www.garrickoutdoor.co.uk/images/photos/DSCF00061_front.jpg

The bus cos here are shitting themselves about prosecution as they have just put-in a lot of the latter type so are now talking about busting panels out of them to go over the 50% !!

Velouria

22-02-2006, 00:20

Stoi

28-02-2006, 18:05

I belive the Ubiquitous Chip is preparing a roof garden for those that cant go without. A few nights up there in January and am sure most people will cut down!

pilchardman

28-02-2006, 20:01

I belive the Ubiquitous Chip is preparing a roof garden for those that cant go without. A few nights up there in January and am sure most people will cut down!And the type of people who frequent the Ub Chip need to be cut down!

pilchardman

28-02-2006, 20:01

Velouria

11-03-2006, 15:03

[14:55] <Velouria> Hmmm I see a loophole ;)
[14:56] <Velouria> What is needed in law to set up a private psychatric hospital I wonder...?
[14:56] <Velouria> People could be admitted for their 'ailments' ... and under exemptions in the law, would be allowed to smoke in a ventillated, designated room ...
[14:57] <Velouria> "psychiatric hospital" means a hospital the whole or main purpose of which is to treat persons with a mental disorder within the meaning of section 328 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and includes a state hospital;
[14:57] <Velouria> Need to read that act ;)
[14:58] <citygirl-5-a-day> lol
[14:58] <Velouria> But just imagine it! You could sign up as a voluntary outpatient for 'anxiety' and pay treatment fees, of, say £10 a month ... ;)
[14:59] <Velouria> then the 'clinicians' could prescibe alcohol (which you get from the bar) and you would then retire off to the designated smoking room within the 'hospital'
[15:00] <Velouria> It could last for a year or so until they tightened up the law on what's a hospital :D

Come on then! Who's for forming the 'Edinburgh Voluntary Private Mental Health Clinic'? :D

The Boy

11-03-2006, 17:49

Velouria

11-03-2006, 18:12

I'm game. To be fair though, I reckon my local is pretty close to that anyway
Section 328 is vague enough to make 'diagnosis' a cinch:

328 Meaning of "mental disorder"

Subject to subsection (2) below, in this Act "mental disorder" means any-

mental illness;
personality disorder; or
learning disability,
however caused or manifested; and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly.
A person is not mentally disordered by reason only of any of the following-

sexual orientation;
sexual deviancy;
transsexualism;
transvestism;
dependence on, or use of, alcohol or drugs;
behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any other person;
acting as no prudent person would act.

It all hinges on what is, legally, a hospital :)

pogofish

19-03-2006, 23:59

Article about the enforcers in Edinburgh in the Scotsman on Friday or Saturday. It seems that in addition to the full-time staff, they are diverting noise-enforcement folk on to cigarrette duty in the early part of each evening to maximise the number of places covered. Officers are apparently being allowed to assume that a pub without smokers outside, must be breaking the regs & can be targeted. Also, they are claiming that officers (mainly ex-police) are being ordered to tail-home anyone who refuses to give a name (seems they don't actually have the power to require you) so they can call-in the police to deal with it.

Anyone got idea of the actual legality of that?

pilchardman

25-03-2006, 15:14

Not long to go now!

:)

geminisnake

26-03-2006, 16:23

Hubby went into town to get milk earlier and says there were groups of people outside every pub he went past, it's normally like a ghost town on Sundays :D

The Boy

26-03-2006, 16:40

Velouria

26-03-2006, 20:47

Just as a matter of interest: did the powers that be deliberately choose the last night of smoking in pubs/clubs to be the one in which we lost an hours driunking time due to the clocks changing?

Very annoying that was...
The powers that be
Don't give a fuck
About you and me

The powers that be
Hate the common scum
Like you and me

And if they could
Kill us riff-raff
I'm sure they would

But they can't kill us
If they tried to - well
There'd be a fuss

And the money they give
Small though it is
We spend to live

And all of that money
They take back in taxes
It's terribly funny

So if we were dead
(Perish the thought)
They'd have no bread

The powers that be
Don't give a fuck
About you and me

But if we ceased to be
They'd have nobody
To tax for money

The powers that be
Hate you and me
But they need our money

I don't think I'll win any poetry contests anytime soon ;)

pilchardman

26-03-2006, 21:36

I went for a couple this afternoon. It was lovely. I can still wear the same jacket tomorrow! :cool:

exosculate

26-03-2006, 23:02

I went for a couple this afternoon. It was lovely. I can still wear the same jacket tomorrow! :cool:

You really are a paternalistic nanny state prick. I really have got no time for your illiberal bullshit.

Velouria

26-03-2006, 23:42

You really are a paternalistic nanny state prick. I really have got no time for your illiberal bullshit.
Thanks. That's just what I was thinking :)

pogofish

26-03-2006, 23:45

If today was much of an indication of things to come, I'd almost prefer to guve-up the pub altogether.

Place 1: Beach cafe - Crusty old Italian-Scottish owner who is getting near retirement & has very little good to say for the laws/council anyway. Place was fine, he has outdoor seating & today was the first nice balmy day in weeks. He didn't give a dammn for the ban but most somkers sat outside anyway & watched the dolphins & a huge flock of feeding birds. Fine. :) Place would normally have been much buisier on a good Sunday tho.

Place 2: A newish "landlocked" cafe where I often pop-into after work or go to see a band play. Usually a friendly place with a strong cast of regulars - Today was somewhat different - Joyless & sad in the extreme. Only one other regular there there & an OK clutch of others sitting there staring into their coffees. The manageress & staff looked a bit strung-out too, mostly they smoke. Didn't bother with one there.

Place 3: Medium sized pub, regular Sunday meet-up with a few friends for the quiz. Numbers OK but noticably less busy than normal. Only 50-odd signed-up for the quiz, normally over 80 (two weeks back, 100+). A tiny strip of space outdoors for smokers at the front of the building. Inside, it became obvious that the owners had prepared for tonight & brought-in several plain-clothes bouncers (with no visible ID, despite being in a registered-security only zone) who were clearly going to make it difficult for anyone lighting-up. Men going to the bog were followed, not women, no female security - apparently, they were smoking freely in there. Anyone producing a pack of fags had a bouncer come & stand right beside them, followed rapidly by one of the owners, looking nervious. Some words were exchanged with various folk but nobody seemed to be intending to break anything. Near the end of the night, I rolled one for the stroll to my bike & two of them came & plonked themselves down behind me until I put the fag in its case. Outside, we paused to say various goodnights & two of us sparked-up. Straight away, a bouncer from a neighbouring pub trotted over to say "don't stand & smoke & the crossing, move-on please" - Err, the pedestrian lights were at red & I for one was not about to wade into the sunday night boy-racer/taxi traffic without a clear crossing! Oh, there were only two of us at that particular crossing anyway, myself & my pal. :rolleyes: :mad:

Not really the same is it?

Velouria

26-03-2006, 23:48

No, pogofish :(

Oh well, maybe it'll lead to a decent squat party scene up here ;)

pogofish

26-03-2006, 23:51

Hmmm, :)

Distinct lack of Squats in Scotland tho. At least in the party sense. Most squatting I can think of involves abandoned agricultural land. :(

geminisnake

27-03-2006, 11:14

You really are a paternalistic nanny state prick. I really have got no time for your illiberal bullshit.

Well hit the fucking ignore button instead of keep on moaning :rolleyes: :p

Ich bin ein Mod

27-03-2006, 12:27

Just as a matter of interest: did the powers that be deliberately choose the last night of smoking in pubs/clubs to be the one in which we lost an hours driunking time due to the clocks changing?

Very annoying that was...
Apparently it was to coincide with British Summer Time so smokers wouldn't be so cold.

Didn't stop it pissing down yesterday!

pilchardman

27-03-2006, 20:59

You really are a paternalistic nanny state prick. I really have got no time for your illiberal bullshit.Good argument. I'll mull it over when I'm in the pub.

pogofish

27-03-2006, 21:36

Hmmm, just read an article in the Scotsman archive saying that Balmoral & other royal palaces & stately homes are exempt.

I can think of an empty pub for lease here, built inside the remains of an old royal palace & wonder. If ruins like Linlothgow retain their "royalness" despite no royal being resident for centuries. Does this place?

Equally, I can think of no shortage of pubs built in stately homes of various types. Hmmm?

Velouria

27-03-2006, 21:58

Think you'd have more luck with the insane asylum idea, myself ;)

pogofish

27-03-2006, 22:17

An asylum, inside a palace ;) Belt & braces! :D

Got to be better than the smoking area outside another city centre pub tonight. Notable that the only adjacent to street area of any size here belongs to a chain with clout & good lawyers! However, halfway into my coffee, the lady next to me started a conversation into the intracacies of getting various of her saggy-bits pierced.

Felt like I's stepped into a real-life H&R thread on here! :D

marty21

27-03-2006, 23:00

And the type of people who frequent the Ub Chip need to be cut down!

i went to a wedding reception there, thought it was a nice place

Ich bin ein Mod

30-03-2006, 23:48

Anyone else find it seems somewhat more social going out for a fag now? There was a fair amount of banter outside the pub tonight, that reflected anywhere else?

pogofish

31-03-2006, 12:44

Yes, in a beleagured sort of way!

Ich bin ein Mod

31-03-2006, 12:52

"Leper colony" seemed to be most folks opening gambit right enough!

forked brain

31-03-2006, 13:50

It makes it so much easier to roll a spliff now, so many other people smoking outside, nobody notices :cool:

pogofish

31-03-2006, 14:00

"Leper colony" seemed to be most folks opening gambit right enough!

Or "how many people did you see in the pub today!" :D

pogofish

31-03-2006, 14:00

It makes it so much easier to roll a spliff now, so many other people smoking outside, nobody notices :cool:

You have a good point there. :)

ChocolateTeapot

31-03-2006, 16:32

Ettrick Hotel around the corner from me is doing a roaring trade: about 80% of the people in the place are in the beer garden. I wish Jack McConnell had explained something to me: if smoking tobacco is so bad, why not ban tobacco?

CT

forked brain

02-04-2006, 15:46

Ettrick Hotel around the corner from me is doing a roaring trade: about 80% of the people in the place are in the beer garden.

Is that the hotel down the road from George Watson's College :confused:

pogofish

03-04-2006, 14:03

Anyone else find it seems somewhat more social going out for a fag now? ?

This weekend was far too bloody social! I could have done with it being a bit quieter, I need a rest - posted details on the weekend thread in general. My poor nerves! :D

Ich bin ein Mod

03-04-2006, 22:48

Fucking hell, we're a tad more sophisticated over here :p

pogofish

04-04-2006, 15:41

Think you'd have more luck with the insane asylum idea, myself ;)

Discussed it with a medic the other day. Seems there is a "long-term" element to be considered as well. Outpaitent, day-case & short term wards are apparently covered by the ban. You'd need to have the paitents resident in the pub/clinic for some time to qualify for a smoking room. :(