Originally Posted by TomPhil

I completely refute your claims. I have most definitely thought of the OAPs. I have thought of the many OAPs who don't smoke. Without a smoking ban, their choices of places to socialise (without being poisoned by the toxic smoke emitted selfishly by those who smoke) are severely restricted. The selfish ones are those who smoke, either inflicting damage or social exclusion on those who do not smoke. I will most firmly stand up for the rights of those who do not smoke to be able to socialise in a smoke free, healthy environment. If smokers want to socialise there too, fine, but they must be aware that their habit has a negative and harmful effect on other people, and take steps to minimise that damage by smoking outside, or by refraining from smoking during their socialising.