Now that there is a new law in Germany that bans smoking inside of nightclubs, bars and restaurants, most nightclubs close down and re-open as "smokers clubs" and you need to become a member - but it is basically the same old nightclub, just that you are still allowed to smoke.

Is that the same in the UK?

I thought all smoking in public buildings was banned out-right here now?

Typical when I've just found out that I like the odd cigar now and then.

If it is a members-only club, it is not a public building? At least here, it is not....




or here:

http://www.peppermint-lounge.de/

There's talk of forcing people to have a license to smoke over here now.

£10 ;icence is a bit of a farce. most of the people I know don't even buy their smoking requisites in this country anymore.

On the subject of a smoking club, it might not work (legally) in the UK, as such a club would still classed as a work place, where smoking is banned, wouldn't it? Even my ex-partners house has a smoking ban, as she is a foster carer, and her home is a place of work, and therefore liable to all the new smoking ban laws in the UK (in theory she even has to have no smoking signs in the house)

I think thats a great idea! But can see where Stu is coming from seeing as it would still be a work place as such.
We're lucky, the smoking ban doesn't hit us until 30th March. A smoking club just might get through over here though. might have to suggest it to the government

If people want to smoke they should smoke....

Of course, you are more healthy if you don't smoke - but it is the decision of the people who smoke.

For the society itself, smokers are "good" - it sounds a bit sarcastic, but smokers pay a lot of taxes and unburden the health system as they die earlier and skip the "expensive" bed-ridden phase before dying.

Julian Le Grand is well known for suggesting daft ideas in regards to smoking, so I wouldn't assume it will be government policy anytime soon.

Okay so we have the smoking ban in the UK now, and yes it does rule out 'smoking clubs'.
I think the law itself is a bit draconian in it's application though.
For example - why are 'smoking huts' ruled out? well, essentially ruled out as structures where smoking is permitted have to be at least 50% open to the elements, which on a cold wet'n'windy winters eve is bleedin awful, surely the law could've allowed for some kind of smoking room indoors as long as it was seperate and had a high level of extraction, where no workers went (unless they smoked too).

Also....while i remember it, the incidence of transmission of illnessess during airflight increased after smoking was banned on airplanes, which was mainly due to airline companies realising they could save money by changing the air in the cabin less frequently, something like only twice a minute instead of seven times a minute.

There was talk of making private members clubs (IE social clubs, working mens clubs, etc) exempt from the ban in England, but of course no this was all changed to include them in the ban because the nanny state just doesn't want nasty people having a ciggy with their beer any more.

Now when you drive through the streets of Camborne on a Friday night, you get all the pissed up freaks (who go outside for a fag) falling over themselves in the streets outside the club and pubs...........

Megalone's house has been designated a smoking club and it's round there this weekend for a nice big smoke.

Just remember, there's no smoke without fire.........

We'll set your house on fire as well then

There are cigar shops in London where you are still allowed to sample the product within the building. However, they used to be combined bars and cigar shops, but the new laws state that in order to be legal more than 75% of your revenue has to be derived from the sale of tobacco products. Now (and I'm thinking of Floraditas here) There is a Floraditas bar and a Floraditas cigar shop. You can't take your drink from the bar, so you have to finish your Martini before you go for a cigar. Distressing to say the least...