To Smoke Or Not To Smoke - that is the question...

[Christian Taylor]

So, NSW bars and clubs will go 100% no smoking as of Monday. Who's excited? As a holier than thou former-smoker I think it's fabulous. Although some of the skankier clubs now won't be able to rely on cigarette smoke masking the other odours lurking. Perhaps those venues - and I won't mention any names - will now consider tearing up their carpets? Some places really need that!

What do you guys and gals think about the no smoking? Good thing? Bad thing? Will half the club be outside on the street instead of on the dancefloor? Will it disrupt your evening or make it better?

[timmeyboy]

ok i said boo, simply for the reason that i'm so used to smoking in clubs and bars.
it's gonna be odd to start off with but am sure will settle down, when I was up in QLD i hardly ever took my ciggies out but that was simply because it was too confusing as to where you could smoke.
I assume that Syd & Melb will be more sensilbe with it all.

[Tristianity]

OK i'm going out on Sunday Night, will that mean that we can't smoke after midnight or will it not happen till the reopening of the clubs on the monday? Not that i smoke, but it's going to interesting to see what would happen at midnight if they tell everyone to cease on the second hand.

Regarding the other smells that arise when you cease smoke smog in a club... it's bad. I used to go to this club near where i live called the Tradies (Retro Club called the Dugout that was in "The Tradies") and when they ceased smoking in the club it stunk of BO... really bad! So i can expect that at ARQ!! So everyone, wear more deodorant then normal! On the plus side you'll actually be able to smell my eau de toillete... yay!

[Christian Taylor]

no, the smoking ban doesn't start until monday - i think they were anticipating the all nighter venues to struggle with trying to implement the changes at midnight!

[stock_standard]

As a smoker I think it's going to be a pain in the ass.
but also as a smoker i think i will be more able to quit, as drinking and smoking will no longer go quite so hand in hand. LOL

As hard as the changes are going to be to adjust to , im sure we can all agree it's for the better. we for us anyway, the clubs and pubs are going to have a bit of work to do, both to clean themselfs up and also keep people coming for the first few months

[Tim D]

Don't quote me on this, but I think they've also said to venues that they won't start enforcing it 100% for a few months as it's quite a big change. Don't know where I read that...

[taylor-dayne]

i love dating smokers. it turns me on. nothing says "take me now" like the promise of gum disease.

[Thatguy]

Apparently smoking makes you gay...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9WAMo40qnA&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9WAMo40qnA&mode=related&search=

[AussieG]

I hate smoking with a passion.
I wish he had the new QLD laws of no smoking ANYWHERE on commercial premises where food or drink is being consumed... even outdoors

I'm gonna be one of those people dobbing people and venues in who breach the laws.

[robbie]

I am smoker but hate smokey disco environments (go figure!) that said, I also hate the cold and won't be going outside for a quick fag. In fact, I'm booking myself in for a hypnotherapy sessions next week to quit. No try, just do! Wish me luck.

[Tim D]

Onya Robbie, good luck with your quitting!

[Tristianity]

no, the smoking ban doesn't start until monday - i think they were anticipating the all nighter venues to struggle with trying to implement the changes at midnight!

I know this is a late reply, but they actually implemented it at midnight. As soon as that second hand hit the hour it was all lights out in Stonewall (in cigarettes anyway).

[pinkyboisyd]

Hey I was Clubbing on Sunday the 1st till Monday the 2nd (not heaps late anyway)

We went to Arq and they started the smoking ban from the start of the night - they've created an outdoor area for all the smokers to go. Its like in this weird courtyard between arq - possibly bodyline and someone's apartment maybe.

So i reckon with all the loud shrieking smoking queens that area will only last for so long. Didn't really effect the night - all the trashed people usually sitting and smoking where now just doing the same thing outside.

The best part about it all was my clothes didn't stink half as much as they used to when smoking was allowed. For that i think its a major plus.

[Tim D]

How big is the new Arq courtyard Pinkyboi?

[pinkyboisyd]

Um? Fair size - its like a 3m by 4m space maybe.....it has stairs that goes down to another space about 3m by 2m - u could pack about 30 people if u tried.

There is also another room downstairs now - near where they used to have the nick named space 'trash alley' its a room thats big enough to fit about 50 or so people if u really wanted to pack them in ontop of each other. Its not a dance space tho - just a carpeted seated space....kinda nice actually.

[pinkyboisyd]

LOL @ the way i keep trying to pack people into spaces.....

[robbie]

I've heard that Arq owned all those units that have windows to the new courtyard and that they've actually removed all tenants permanently before opening the new area.

[Christian Taylor]

how great is the no smoking thing? loving it. went out on sat night and didn't have to go home and wash the smell of smoke off of everything afterwards... brilliant.

[Nevarro]

I think its the best thing to happen for clubs...
not only do we have added space at ARQ (woo hoo)
but now the floors will be less dirty and my white sneakers will need less cleaning

[taylor-dayne]

arq smells like vomit though. can someone PLEASE call the carpet cleaners?

[Tim D]

All smokers should just give up at the same time. That'll send the tobacco companies a message.

Seriously though, I'm not a smoker and have never been, but I do not see ANY benefit at all in smoking. Can a smoker please explain one benefit? And I don't wanna hear any of this "it relaxes me" bullshit, listen to music to relax, don't use that as an excuse.

[alison87]

It's kinda like drinking. Tastes like shit the first time you do it, but after a while you kinda appreciate the nuances... and then you get addicted and just do it out of habit. I've managed to "quit", more or less - i smoke like one cigarette every few weeks now. I like the taste, but i don't need to smoke every day. That's one reason to do it :-)

[Marcel]

Smoking is a habit Timmey, its gives you something to do with your hands.
It relaxes the soul lol not !

[burgjo]

It's a habit that can be broken! Now happily an ex smoker (hoping it will last) 12 days so far.. and even though i am not in an area that has clubs etc and all our pubs have had outdoor smoking only for ages now, i took it as a good opportunity to quit.
All habits can be broken!

And Tim - in response - there are no positive benefits to smoking (or drinking for that matter)

[Funking Trance]

I started smoking about 3 years ago largely because my boyfriend at the time smoked and through him I started casually and within a few months I was hooked. I was very surprised at how quickly you become hooked and even after myself and the boy split up 2 years ago I carried on smoking for a further year.

I gave up nearly 12 months ago and not had one since. I can't imagine its much fun for smokers these days if you have to go out in the cold to smoke when you are out for the night. Hopefully it will enourage more people to give up.

[Tim D]

How did you give up Funking?

[Marcel]

I do agree, with the new laws my smoking will cut down and as we dont smoke in our house it will become a little easier !

[Funking Trance]

I used patches at the start and tried to stay out of temptation (pubs and clubs) for the first couple of months. Plus I increased the amount of exercise I was doing which kept on giving me positive reinforcement for quitting.

Prior to giving up 12 months ago I had made a number of previous attempts to give up, once even trying hypnotherapy but looking back at these attempts I'm not sure I had enough motivation to quit so ended up getting back on the cigs within a couple of weeks. So I guess you really have to want to give up too.

Some smokers (me included at the time) say they want to give up but inside they really aren't ready and really don't want to. Cigarettes are a powerful addiction and it is without doubt the toughest thing I have done in the last 12 months. There are all sorts of ways to give up and usually it might take a few attempts before you can stick at it so if anyone is trying to give up and breaks, don't worry too much, you'll eventually get there if you really want it.

I reckon I must of saved about $3,000 over the last 12 months which is a bonus too!

[Tim D]

That's wicked!

You mentioned that you didn't have enough motivation the first time around, what was the motivation that made it easier the successful time?

[Funking Trance]

I'd just had enough I think. Enough of the smell on your fingers and clothes, enough of carrying the cigs in your pocket, enough of waking up in the morning and wanting that cigarette as soon as you thought you could get away with it, and enough of doing exercise 2 or 3 times a week and not feeling like you are getting fitter because of health impacts of cigarettes. It was also becoming harder to smoke enjoyably in bars and clubs due to the changes to smoking areas so I just thought it was a good time.

12 months on I still get cravings every now and again but they are certainly less strong and more infrequent than when I first gave up and I know that they pass very quickly.

I feel much healthier now, I've lost about 7 kg's and ran the sydney half marathon two months ago.

[Tim D]

A half marathon, that's huge. I thought smoking was meant to keep you thin though by lessening your appetite? Or am I just making that up.

[Funking Trance]

Yeah it probably does for most. I think losing the weight though for me has been because I have got fitter and am more motivated to exercise so its 2nd order really.

[Tim D]

Anyone else given up in line with the July 1 deadline?

[jackie87]

Well I haven't smoked since I was 18 and I've noticed the difference much better in places like Stonewall, its just a breath of fresh air (eerrrm) and I can shake my ass for longer

[Tim D]

I've noticed it as well. After having a huge night out on Friday I noticed my clothes didn't stick of smoke for once. Was quite a nice change.

[Funking Trance]

I'm interested to see how some of these venues cope with punters wanting a smoke. Obviously the oxford has the dodgy smoke room upfront and the decked area outside but places like Stonewall have no outdoor areas as far as I know so is there a constant flow of people going in and out to have a smoke? How do they cope with that on busy nights?

I can just imagine how bad Mannacle gets as they usually have quite the gathering outside anyhow on sat and sunday morning (its like a scene from shaun of the dead some mornings) and now I guess they have all the smokers heading out too. Do people have to queue up again to get in?

[Tim D]

It's interesting to see how Melbourne is coping with it as well.

Have a read here: http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/951/Smoking_Laws_Means_New_Rooftops_Area_For_Gay_Clubs

Two Melbourne venues have built new rooftops as additional areas and to smoke on, that's a pretty cool way of dealing with it.

[avoninski]

You could actually breathe in Manacle the other night. Wow.

I quit 3 months ago in anticipation of this. So glad I'm not freezing my tush outside clinging on to some silly habit.

That said, I'm surprised the Shift and Stonewall haven't opened up small terraces upstairs to accommodate the smokers. Perhaps council wouldn't approve? Kinselas was able to do it...

[Tim D]

I think Kinselas got in when Oxford Street was still a part of South Sydney Council (correct me if I'm wrong), and then the zoning changed and it was incorporated into City of Sydney that has a lot stricter rules.

That's why new venues like Will+Toby's can't have outdoor balconies any more.

And speaking of outdoor spaces, went past Deck Bar this morning and there's no longer a deck there!

[PonyClub]

i hit my head on a wooden plank one new years eve whilst dancing around a fire with a friend of mine who - lets just say is a lot larger than i and landed in the mud after our fall taking 6 peolple to pull her out - anyway what was i saying oh yeah woke up the next day and never wanted a ciggie again..... no bullshit it must of smacked it out of me.. i was unconcious for new years though

[Meltite]

It's a pretty overwhelming support in favour of the new laws, wouldn't you say judging by the poll?

[avoninski]

Yeah, I just noticed that the Deck at the old Deck Bar/191 has been taken away on Tuesday. When I walked past it there was an odd looking sewerage pump left in the middle of the sidewalk. Bring back the deck!

[Tim D]

It's a shame, such a great position. Now it's just sydney's largest sidewalk!

[Funking Trance]

I wonder what is going to go in that building then. I used to love going to deck bar on a sunday afternoon, sitting out in the sun, listening to great house music when Odyssey House used to be there. Kate Monroe, Tim Blanshard and GI Jode. For some reason that venue seems never to work though. Its strange because it seems to have everything going for it. Maybe its been badly managed.

[avoninski]

Must be Bad Feng Shui. Maybe they need a water feature and a dash of red?

[Tim D]

Ha, I thought you'd be listening to funking trance?

I think there's been a curse on Deck Bar...