Roll on July 07 or will it be Roll up?
What do you think about the forthcoming smoking ban? I have never smoked a cigarette in all my 36 years, but I have played darts for nearly as long as that, but it has never bothered me.. it's been part of the Pub life. But now there's going to be a ban I can't wait. Ask a smoker what they think & I'll bet they'll reply "It'll do me a favour, I've been looking for an excuse to stop". The Falconer

I think it will put some people off their game at times, although people are used to not smoking during county games it's only for one game and they usually cram one in before the game and light up straigt after. It wont do any good for team efforts because in league games and county games a lot of the support will be outside smoking. I gave up nearly two years ago so im fine but I know a couple of people who are trying to give up in the new year so that they are over the worst of their craving by the summer. :P

Ooohh, a political arguement, I love these. :twisted: Yes I smoke and yes I disagree with the ban. Of course you're gonna say "he smokes, of course he disagrees". Smoking has been part of Pub and club life for years and taking away what the man in the street enjoys doing after a days work, will effect, not only what going to to the pub means to him, but also effect the amount of people that go to pub/clubs etc. Its the minority yet again, those 'politically correct' goons that are destroying what being British is all about. I think its Cheshire council, they are not allowing the words 'Happy Christmas' on any of their cards in case they upset someone from a different faith. This is BRITAIN we celebrate Christmas, if anyone doesn't like it, bugger off!! Whats next, Pubs won't be able to sell alcohol!!!!! Get real Blair and pukka up.

I've been through this on the SOD forum at length but some things that came out of that discussion ... 1) Darts will suffer no doubt. Local Leagues especially will be slaughtered by this law. Even rabid pro-ban players conceded that. What's the point of a fun night out playing darts if you like a pint and a fag and/or cigar? Might as well stay at home or play cards with your mates at someone's house. Less players entering the game. 2) A full ban wasn't necessary. 25% of the population smoke, so why not, say, 1 in 5 pubs being a smoking pub? An argument against this from a pro-ban person was ... I kid you not ... "cos that's not fair, the smoking pub would have an unfair advantage & everyone would bid to own the smoking one" :lol:. I've yet to hear a coherent argument as to why a workable solution couldn't have been a proportion of pubs/clubs being designated as smoking establishments. 3) This isn't the end, the anti-smoking organisations are already planning "the next step" (their words), that is banning smoking in one's own home (that has already been partially achieved by this law as a landlord isn't now allowed to smoke in his own property), and in open air public places (as partially achieved by the NHS not allowing smoking in their car parks). In medieval times, they used to have a Witch-Finder, the modern day equivalent is the anti-smoking lobby :roll: 4) I will now predict the next threat to darts. An MP has already tabled plans to have perspex screens placed around darts areas as there is a danger of darts injuring people. The same guy also suggested an age limit for playing the game. Never has there been a truer song than the Manic Street Preachers' "If you tolerate this, then your children will be next" :wink: Discuss ... :P

There are some strong feelings here. Local leagues devastated, no support at county games. :cry: I know smoking is addictive, but so is playing Darts, ever tried giving up Darts? It's a lot harder than you think. I genuinely feel sorry for people who enjoy a smoke, your choice has been taken away. One of the most pointless bans I know, is, "No smoking or Drinking on stage", Don't tell me its because, its bad for the Image of darts, who did we think we were kidding?

This is a bit too clever for me to post on so i wont!

All I know is the business I work for is going to suffer big time when the smoking ban comes in. I work in an Italian Coffee Shop in St Nicholas Centre in Sutton. It is one of the only places in the centre where you can smoke. People go shopping and come in for a coffee, and a cigarette before they go home. The high street is going to be littered more than it is already, when everyone is standing outside smoking. I have non-smokers and the government telling me that I can't have a cigarette after my lunch while I am at work. This takes the mickey. There are certain things I don't like people doing, but they aren't going to stop them. i.e. Spitting on the floor, out of car windows or not indicating when you are driving. I know I have gone off the rails here, but I don't like being told what to do, especially by people who don't know me. If I want to smoke and make my life shorter then I shall be allowed to. Rant over thank you for reading :lol:

Its the same for me i have people telling me i cant masturbate at work!! its outragous :shock:

Looks like Dave Horan has decided not to wait till then as has given up at the same time as his missus and is trying out patches, and if what john brine suggests it might just work. John's tip is to put two brillo pads on your arms , apparently you are guaranteed never to wash up again.

I will remove those stains on your carpet free of charge!! :shock:

Re: Roll on July 07 or will it be Roll up?
What do you think about the forthcoming drinking ban, Falconer? Are you waiting for an excuse to stop? :P Scotland lead the way again. http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?storycode=56825 ... and forget about going to the pub at lunchtime. http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=16&storycode=56829&c=2 There'll be more soon, it's almost daily now :( Hi TTO, Touche!! revenge is a sweet best served cold, as they say. I wish I could stop drinking, I'd be wealthy, healthy, less arguementative (but a much poorer dart player. Aaron, before you say anything I know I'm poor anyway). It'll be soft tip darts next as Steel points will be regarded dangerous!! I played in a Summer super league at Winchester & the smoking ban made absolutley NO difference, as the smokers had a patio & awning supplied, but this was Summer, freezing cold weather may be different. Andy Nye told me it hadn't really affected his trade much, but the atmosphere at dart matches was poor & it was harder to get chalkers/checkers as they were all outside smoking. The falconer.