Topic: Cigarettes and Alcohol

QUOTE:

Hi Bob , thanks for the information it always puzzled me.

Then again I may be wrong. After I googled it the Italian spelling is marrone.

Dave, I have said previously in other smoking threads that I'm sure that you are a most considerate smoker, but many others are not and the valid arguments against smoking have won the day, :D even many smokers like yourself will admit that they are well aware of the damage that smoking does to themselves and to others.

But as you have mentioned the other legal substance i.e alcohol, as do many other smokers when they are loosing the argument, I am sure that the two cannot be seriously compared, although the temperance lot would say anybody taking alcohol is addicted in the same way that smokers are addicted to nicotine, not true of course as many people who like a drink, and the sociability of an evening or two at the local can actually abstain for a few weeks while saving for the next cruise, while many smokers can't go more that 45 mins without the fix.

As for making the pubs none smoking the ban has only hastened the inevitable, as the pub industry was in trouble long before the smoking ban was introduced, many smokers would like to say that the demise of the pub is down to the smoking ban, but the plain fact is drinks in the pubs were to expensive, and are even more so today.

For an example both pubs in the village near to my town have recently closed, because the drinks were to expensive for the area, and the reason is generally the £100 + a day that the landlord has to pay the brewery for rent, then he has to pay for power, fuel, stock, and staff.

After the ban smokers continued to use the pub and were well catered for as a structure was built outside with a roof and a heater, and the lack of smoking customers did not close this pub.

It is the greed of the brewers that is killing their own industry, while a company like J D Wetherspoon are acquiring hundreds of new pubs year on year, and making vast profits from both drinkers and smokers, by selling the product at an affordable price.

QUOTE:

On another thread, Neil wrote:


Hi Neil

I'm pleased you asked. I'll have a go at explaining myself...

Nicotine and alcohol are two of the most widely used, legally available recreational drugs. Both are addictive. Both can have serious consequences for the users, as well as consequences for innocent bystanders. Both are subject to age and advertising restrictions. Both are heavily taxed to provide revenue and to limit their use. Both are the focus of high-profile campaigns by governments and health organisations. And scary statistics showing financial and medical implications are regularly published for both.

I've noticed one interesting difference between the smokers and drinkers on this forum however. I have said before that I'm addicted to nicotine (and caffeine - but perhaps that is to widen the discussion too far!), but I do not recall one single drinker admitting to alcohol addiction - which is surprising since, according to Drinkaware, 1 in every 17 people in the UK is 'alcohol-dependent'. On a Ventura-sized ship that's about 200 people dependant on alcohol. On this forum that's well over 600 members.

There are, however, hints to the real extent of the problem. Just remember how many questions are asked about alcohol on this site: "How much are drinks on...?"; "Can I bring my own bottles?"; even, "What happens if I'm caught smuggling alcohol on board?" Okay, much more than hints then.

It puzzles me why some people who freely admit to 'liking the occasional drink' should be so hard on those who 'like the occasional cigarette'. It seems blatantly hypocritical for someone who risks their liver to have a go at someone who risks their lungs!

You might say that your drinking doesn't affect me, whilst my smoking does affect you. Perhaps, but then again, perhaps not. The considerate drinker keeps their voice down; tries not to knock things over or to start fights; and tries not to throw up in a public area. The considerate smoker gets as far away from non-smokers as possible.

I had thought that with the ever-hardening anti-alcohol stance of our leaders, drinkers would realise that their habit (or pastime if you prefer) is increasingly under threat. I think it is extremely short-sighted of some drinkers to alienate their comrades in self-harm just to have smoke-free bars to get 'merry' in. ;)

Regards

(Thanks to Oasis for the title 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' - one of my favourite songs!)

hi dave, only just read your post. as a drinker and smoker i think your spot on mate

QUOTE:

Marone was the spelling the Heart of Midlothian football club from Edinburgh entered when registering their colours in 1874 .
Probably has to do with the pronunciation of local accents.

A fine institution