5 ms·

Aussie living in China, ex-smoker. Every time I went back I used to always take a bunch of cigarettes to sell to people at cut rates, specifically because they

Aussie living in China, ex-smoker. Every time I went back I used to always take a bunch of cigarettes to sell to people at cut rates, specifically because they are so expensive in Australia. This year I couldn't even find anyone to buy them! Won't be bothering in future. I strongly support the progressive anti-smoking policies in Australia, but I do think the nanny statism has come a bit far in other areas. For example you can't catch a taxi or go to the (now 100% non-smoking) pub with a child. What the hell? Makes it really hard to stop for a drink when you are carrying a kid and walking to the nearest mass transit facility in the stinking hot summer sun, because you can't catch a taxi. Come on, people take buses without seat belts all the time ... it's off the charts stupid to ban young families from the use of taxis!

jamesrcole 10y ago
> For example you can't catch a taxi or go to the (now 100% non-smoking) pub with a child. I don't understand about the taxi. What do you mean? Regarding the pubs, I live in Queensland and have never seen a 100% non-smoking pub. They always have a dedicated smoking area.
- imron 10y ago
  Depending on the age of the child, the child may be required by law to use a child safety seat. Taxis typically don't come with such seats and so they will refuse to carry you.
  - angry_octet 10y ago
    In most states taxis (but not uber) have an exemption, QLD is just a massive pain in the arse. Logically the market should evolve to allow requesting a car with seats but no.
- taneq 10y ago
  Maybe they're talking about a child young enough to need a booster seat? They recently raised the age below which children require a booster seat to 7 years.
- contingencies 10y ago
  They always have a dedicated smoking area. In my NSW experience, you're not allowed to smoke within X meters of an indoor pub (even outside on the public pavement), and certainly not indoors, which makes it smoke free. That said, they probably have special exceptions to allow aircon for farming sadcases at gambling machines in special rooms.
vacri 10y ago
> For example you can't catch a taxi or go to the (now 100% non-smoking) pub with a child Can't catch a taxi with a child? Where is this factoid coming from? Children under 12 months without a child restraint have to be in the back seat (airbags), and children over 12 months just have to occupy their own seat, not be on someone's lap. Also, here in Victoria, pubs aren't 100% non-smoking. Only indoors. You can smoke outdoors at a pub - the area just needs to have one 'side' open to the air, whether that's the roof or a wall.
- contingencies 10y ago
  Where is this factoid coming from? Personal experience. Sounds like Victoria is sane, my experience is in NSW.

jamesrcole 10y ago

> For example you can't catch a taxi or go to the (now 100% non-smoking) pub with a child. I don't understand about the taxi. What do you mean? Regarding the pubs, I live in Queensland and have never seen a 100% non-smoking pub. They always have a dedicated smoking area.

imron 10y ago
Depending on the age of the child, the child may be required by law to use a child safety seat. Taxis typically don't come with such seats and so they will refuse to carry you.
- angry_octet 10y ago
  In most states taxis (but not uber) have an exemption, QLD is just a massive pain in the arse. Logically the market should evolve to allow requesting a car with seats but no.
taneq 10y ago
Maybe they're talking about a child young enough to need a booster seat? They recently raised the age below which children require a booster seat to 7 years.
contingencies 10y ago
They always have a dedicated smoking area. In my NSW experience, you're not allowed to smoke within X meters of an indoor pub (even outside on the public pavement), and certainly not indoors, which makes it smoke free. That said, they probably have special exceptions to allow aircon for farming sadcases at gambling machines in special rooms.

vacri 10y ago

> For example you can't catch a taxi or go to the (now 100% non-smoking) pub with a child Can't catch a taxi with a child? Where is this factoid coming from? Children under 12 months without a child restraint have to be in the back seat (airbags), and children over 12 months just have to occupy their own seat, not be on someone's lap. Also, here in Victoria, pubs aren't 100% non-smoking. Only indoors. You can smoke outdoors at a pub - the area just needs to have one 'side' open to the air, whether that's the roof or a wall.

contingencies 10y ago
Where is this factoid coming from? Personal experience. Sounds like Victoria is sane, my experience is in NSW.