. . . there’s smokers and it seems to me the study which found children whose parents smoke are more likely to take up the habit than the off-spring of non-smokers is stating the obvious.
The Harvard University study published in the American journal Paediatrics found that teenagers are three-times more likely to start smoking if their parents do.
“It’s telling them that smoking is a fairly normal thing to do, it gives them the impression that it’s quite acceptable,” says ASH’s Ben Youdan.
Not only normal, is it possible they’re also deseniitised to the smoke and smell so it doesn’t seem as unpleasant to them as it does to children who grow up in non-smoking households?
Alhtough it was common for people to smoke not only in their own homes but in other people’s when I was a kid neither of my parents smoked and I always hated the smell of cigarette smoke so much I can put my hand on my heart and say I’ve never, ever had even a puff.
I do have other vices but the whole idea of sticking something that smelt so revolting into my mouth and breathing in has simply never appealed.
Because of that I’m pleased it’s not just illegal to smoke in enclosed public spaces it’s also socially unacceptable to do so in most private ones too and I’ll give the credit for that to the previous government.
I never saw this particular legislation as an example of the nanny-state. It’s more an OSH requirement to protect bar staff and patrons not very different from ensuring farm workers who deal with sprays aren’t exposed to any drift.
Posted by homepaddock 
Homepaddock 