Who gets on Facebook sometimes and argues for the hell of it? It's a msall minded habit, but when there's lots of BIG things in the world to be annoyed about, sometimes letting off little amonts of steam with a well constructed argument (we think) can help. 

It doesn't, and I'm sure it's one of the things that will be held against me when I'm reincarnated, but I just can't help myself. People who like Oasis. People who argue non smokers should stay inside the pub so that smokers can have the outside. As an ex smoker, I rolled up my sleeves. 


![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23zRrnDHa7FBPUdh913s5GS8XWaQfY6fxphMnEbdurpD6XnUcrdX72PDvSxgCsT6FtonQ.png)
*One of the reasons we hate smokers in Australia - over 5,000 fires a year are started by discared buts.*


### To smoke or not to smoke outdoors? 

Here's a few of the arguments against the UK's proposal to ban smoking in beer gardens and outside the pub, as seen in the somments section:

- It'll be banning sugar and alcohol next
- Soon we'll be only able to smoke in our own homes
- Why don't they ban cars if they're worried about air pollution
- It's our right to smoke where we like
- Non smokers have inside - they can't have both sections of the pub. 
- Pubs will close as smokers won't go and they won't make money.

First of all, we banned smoking outside pubs and restaurants particularly where people are eating, in 2010. Pubs didn't start shutting til 'round COVID, and it wasn't because of smoking. In fact, a lot are closing now because the younger people aren't drinking as much for fun - or they can't afford it. Habits have changed. Secondly, if a smoker has to go home to smoke, fine. That's not non smoker's problem - breathing in second hand smoke and dealing with the stink of it is. It's more unfair to expect non smokers to be inside and not enjoy a lovely summer's day in the beer garden because of people who can't kick the habit. It's *not* a smoker's right to harm or inconvenience others. Cars are a *whole* different ballgame - this argument winds me up as it's a completely separate issue. 

I didn't even want to say that a lot of councils say you can't smoke on the beach. I love this rule. However, it's never enforced as that's impossible, and I do find the occasional cigarette but on the beaches here. WE have super clean beaches so they are noticeable. Don't get me started on smokers that throw their butts out the window and risk a bushfire...

### And then there's the cost...

Less I rant anymore (feel free to argue with me in the comments section), can I just add that yesterday when I was at the supermarket, a guy at the checkout bought a 40 pack of cigarettes that cost him $79.87? I hadn't paid attention to the cost of smokes for a *long* time - but this nearly made me pass out. What the *actual!* That's a lot of money - over 50 USD, and around 40 quid sterling. Sheesh! 

As an ex smoker who pretty much chain smoked rollies for 15 years, I have a right to say *it's not that hard to give up when you really want to.*. You just have to go through some discomfort and fight with your mind. Sure, I sound totally lacking in compassion here for those fighting bigger battles - I definitely feel for them - but damn, let's make it that little bit harder for people to *start* in the first place. We have to start somewhere. Australia is working hard at raising the smoking age each year too, in order to address this issue. 


![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23vi49hj3tkapuQwuneuCefmfDCHpE8LdHWtzQo96PiRrHFRcqey2UZt9UBNb7k8V7DWZ.png)
**Ash Wednesday bushfires - note the Landie* - from [here](https://news.cfa.vic.gov.au/news/firey-recalls-ash-wednesday-we-just-weren-t-winning)*


#### Other things to 'waste' my money on??

Lmao, but I decided to buy a lottery ticket last weekend. I've never bought a ticket in my life and totally think it's really bad math. But I'm not spending $80 on a pack of fags, so a tenner to gamble doesn't seem like a lot. 

Secondly, I decided to buy a little HIVE. Just a little. I'm not cashed up at the moment - gah, I haven't had a single days work this week - but I'm not smoking, so why not spend the remaining $50 odd on HIVE? 

Last time the Hive price was this low, I totally regretted not buying any. 

Why not hey? At least I'm not killing my lungs....

And I've just found out that Coinsport accepts PAYID - which makes it a lot easier. 

### Do you still smoke? Do you find it hard to quit? What do you think of the smoking rules?  


<center>

# `With Love,` 


![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/riverflows/23t6xT1abr5kFMeEirKwZ2QqT6MK9U4SBpKCQZAjVEojgm7uSSGL9AJSuwtBsUmMAV5jv.png)







**Are you on HIVE yet? Earn for writing! Referral link for FREE account [here](https://hiveonboard.com?ref=riverflowsJ)**</center>
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