Well , Once again this topic keeps coming up!!! in general conversation . I am a smoker , and have for a number of years . If the Goverment , make their mind up , either your pregnant or not pregnant . You cant be a little bit pregnant !!!!!Smokers have paid their tax on cigarettes , so technically , no law has been broken . Alcohol , tax is paid as well But nothing happens here as well , with the deaths you see basically these days are on page 3 or 4 in the paper , as it isnt something new. I really havent seen for that matter on any page , or heard on media anything , where a driver of a motor vehicle was arrested , for being 30 cigarettes of the limit , at a accident scene etc . Either , there is a ban on smoking in Public Places , or there is not . However , If there is , I would be quite happy , to pay $2.00 for a packet of cigarettes ,and NO TAX and smoke at home , Or perhaps , Smoking One day , and Non Smoking the next . That way , the choice is the individual's BUT . Surely , it can t be that hard to work out , the choice is would be upto the individual . I often wonder with society today , that the country wouldnt be on the map these days .

Cheers Pete

I guess this poll will turn out pretty similar to the percentage of people in the community that smoke/ don't smoke...

Absolutely,ban it so I can buy a packet of cigs on the black market for stuff all.

I`m a smoker trying to quit after 35 years, if they were to ban smoking it would make it easier for many in my position but it would create many other problems`,people who obtain illicit fags would be in danger of being robbed as the addiction is far worse than heroin and marijuana. It`s a tough decision but if they ban it I`d be forced to quit as I don`t have the luxury of having no concience, Love to all Deb x

yes ban smoking. i smoked for a number of years but also gave it up a good while ago. Best thing i ever did. there is no way there's any benefit to anybody. my father died a few years ago, of lung cancer, a long difficult death.
people may think they have the right to smoke, but do it away from everyone else, because thats my right to be away from it.
if they cant make it illegal at least ban it from outdoor food areas. but preferably BAN the dreaded fags

Yes wren, I agree smokers should do their best to keep that poison away from others, it makes me sad to see parents child in arms fag in hand and I still see people smoking in their cars with children. I allways move away from people before I light up, I think it`s only fair as passive smoking is a killer as well love deb x

Where do we stop banning stuff?

We only want to ban what causes misery and suffering. That's where we stop!

For those out there who think that it is your right to chose to smoke....

In the past ten years I have been involved with nearly 4000 people who have died from lung cancer. Many presented late, when the disease had already spread, many early enough to remove the cancer, but not early enough to catch those few cells which lay dormant elsewhere in their bodies.
So, thats 4000 who died a slow, often painful but always undignified death. Each of these victims had children, 3 on average, and many had grandchildren, 5 on average. They also had close relatives, the average in Australia being 10 if you take 'in-laws' into consideration.
So, lets do the math.
4000 x 18 = 72,000
That's seventy-two thousand people. Not just acquaintances, but loved ones, those who cared deeply about those who died. Seventy-two thousand people who were not given any choice but see their loved one's die a miserable and degrading death.

This is just a drop in the ocean. Each year 42,000 Australians die from smoking-related illnesses. Do the math.

Sure, it's your right to smoke, it's your choice. But it's not the choice of your family, friends , loved ones to see you die a miserable death - the suffering for these people goes on way beyond your death.

It's a harsh message; some may find it offensive.
But I'd rather be seen as harsh, and offensive than weak in the face of the biggest killer in Australia today.

Yes I agree that smoking should be banned altogether, but there is die hards in business and money is important to them as they are not concerned as people will buy smokes from them. They should think of peoples health, but they don't as money is more important to them.

From War Veteran T.P.I. (retired)
25-01-2010

People should have the right to choose (I don't smoke, never have, never will), but respect the rights and health of those who choose not to, and the responsibility to accept the consequences. Public monies (medicare) should not be used to treat those who smoke for lung cancer, and they should be uninsurable for lung cancer treatment by health funds. But sure, its their right to choose, providing it doesn't medically or financially hurt others.

Ban the filthy poisoneous habit.

Why has no-one yet taken these killers to the cleaners? It's a proven killer afterall.

what ever happened to the free country, where we had choices, if we allow big brother to add this to their never ending lists of things we can and cant do where is it going to stop? if people want to smoke i say why not, as long as they are not hurting anyone else.

My gut reaction is YES, but that would only lead to problems on the black market. People desperate enough to smoke will stoop to any level to maintain their filthy habit.

After watching mum go through 2 coma's suffering fr Asthma, COPD, Emphysema, Bronchitis, Heart Failure & 10 hospital stays in her final yr (aged 62). I would ban the dam things & put the money saved in the hospital system on smoking related diseases into better use. Why doesn't the Govt. fund nicotine patches? They give methadone to junkies? Smokers don't go out stealing & bashing people. Then again the Govt. are addicted to the taxes they get off smokers - but are unable to see they have to 'pay it back' when the smoker gets sick???

Australia a free country..No.
We all make our personal choices and should be allowed to as long as its legal.
Could we vote on banning alcohol because I hate it and drinkers smell and get drunk and damage marriage's and children (I know I was one) and they KILL other people.

im a avid smoker hater im sick of being a passive smoker,i hate the smell with a passion.i cant even go to the shops with out a haze of smoke near the doorway now they even supply asstrays near the entrance wot next.hate,hate,hate it.make it illegal please.

I've had enough of people bashing smokers,junkies seem to have more rights and they don't just hurt themselves but most people around them.And smokers pay plenty of tax on smokes that should be going towards cancer research.What about the people who get lung cancer that don't smoke and never have?it happens. I also think that most smokers try and stay away from non smokers and the problems start when non smokers stand near someone they can see is smoking and then complain about it.Smokers are a part of this world to and we all have to share it.And if someone is going to judge me because i have a fag in my hand than they aren't worth my time.their loss not mine.

My other 1/2 spends round $45 pw often on cigs. Now I buy 1 lotto ticket at $8.30 pw maybe I should buy another 4 tickets to spend the same & I might make money! How much does the smoker make on their smokes ha!!!

Work with me and Senator Nick Xenophon to pass legislation to ban the cigarettes in Australia.

22,00 Australians die each year from tobacco-related disease. The government earns $6.7 billion each year from cigarette taxes and excise.

OUR GOVERNMENT IS ADDICTED TO THE MONEY IT EARNS FROM THE DEATH AND SUFFERING OF ITS CITIZENS. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL. BAN CIGARETTES OUTRIGHT.

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I think ban it, but then again, they'll probably just dump another few thousand pokies in the pubs to fuel the taxes lost, and create a few thousand more pokie addicts to increase their coffers.