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The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards attacks smoking ban

'It's politically correct bullshit,' says guitarist

March 31, 2008 | 16 Comments
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The Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards has slammed the UK government's ban on smoking in public areas.

Speaking to The Sun, Richards, who also revealed that he still regularly smokes cannabis and hash, compared the ban to prohibition in 1920s America.

"It's a drag because you've got to freeze your balls off to light a cigarette, you've got to go outside," he said. "It's draconian - socially, politically correct bullshit. They'll get over it.

"It's like prohibition, they tried to stop booze once. Ha, look what happened. It ruined America."

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Comments (16)

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elliotmarsh

Mar 31, 2008

"It's like prohibition, they tried to stop booze once. Ha, look what happened. It ruined America."Er, unlike the smoking ban in NYC, which has been hugely successful in reducing smoking-related deaths in the five years since it was introduced. Duh, Keith.

underclasshero

Mar 31, 2008

fuck off you old git, id rather not go to gigs and be overpowered by second hand smoke, its good that smoking has become less socially accepted, i don't have a problem with people going home and smoking whatever they want, but why should people who don't have all sorts of health issues have to put up with it just because some old man doesnt want to be cold.

ajspaceman

Mar 31, 2008

Once again, Keef, you've revealed yourself to be a rock star, and therefore one of the most selfish people on the planet. So I suppose you think you have a right to poison the air of those around you, eh? Idiot. And neither prohibition nor smoking bans have ruined America. Do you know what has, though? Selfishness. I'm an American. I see it everyday. You know what they say: There's no fool like an old fool.

liveon35mm

Mar 31, 2008

Keith,you were more credible when suggesting Amy Winehouse to stop taking drugs.Please shut up and go shopping for a coat ...or another Villa in LA.liveon35mm.com

troubadour66

Mar 31, 2008

You 3 posters sound lamer than an old mans cock.The smoking ban has it's good sides for non smokers, but they should've at least had smoking and non smoking venues and leave it up to the individual to choose where they go.As for disrespecting Mr Riff Hard, with comments like 'old git', he is an old git who shits on the lame-os that you probably adore.It's funny how many squares are into the NME these days.Little indie pop pussy'oles.Bore off back to yawnsville you mugs.

spammer_ie

Mar 31, 2008

Simply idiotic view point. Smoking ban is one of the best things that ever happened.

doherty49

Mar 31, 2008

well said keith your totally right its bollocks the smoking ban its just another way for the goverment 2 try an tell us what 2 do

ddirt80

Apr 1, 2008

You could say that, but also, how many of you have cars? Cars are polluting the fuck out of human beings much faster than occasionally being at a gig and having second hand smoke 'poison your air'. Think about what is in the air already...Do we go banning cars? I'm not really defending smoking, but at the same time, there's so many double standards about it.

aphexbin

Apr 1, 2008

yyyyeeeeaaaahhh listen ta keith he nose his stuff, smoking baan is well shit innit, yeah uits stupid and draconian innit just like probishun yeeeaah,he is sooo smart he should be the prime minster innit, rockand rooll yeeah

Vacant0

Apr 1, 2008

Nice one Keith.The smoking ban is an un-compromising, draconian piece of legislation based upon prejudice, assumption and fraudulant scientific evidence and you lot are a bunch of whining maggots.Btw, elliotmarsh - success has thus far been measured only in terms of enforcement.

callaby

Apr 1, 2008

i disagree with keith on this. i smoke but i am in favour of the ban. it makes everything smell a lot better and you dont get burnt on the back of the neck in gigs. and besides, when you go out clubbing theres alot of non-smokers coming outside cos the smoking areas are usually good and you can hear people talk without shouting. i've got mates who have actually started smoking since the ban cos when we go out for a fag they all follow.

jackdmc

Apr 1, 2008

They need to bring in the BO ban, as stopping the smoking has brought a whole other problem to gigs.. Slagging Keef is not a good idea, he maybe old, can't play the guitar much anymore due to his fingers but what records the guy has made of the last 50 years.. Respect Keef - just put the tabs away !

mpneubauer

Apr 1, 2008

he's right. if you dont like someone smoking, tell them not to smoke. or leave! if your in a bar or club and people are smoking, maybe you should just find somewhere else to go.

eldooderino

Apr 1, 2008

"So I suppose you think you have a right to poison the air of those around you, eh?"if they insist on standing next to me then yes. the fact is everything gives you cancer anyway so instead of banning it all lets embrace it and take some risks in life. in the words of ronan keating "life is a rollercoaster, you've just got to ride it" . if you don't wish to ride it i suggest going to live in a monastery.

underclasshero

Apr 1, 2008

I'm not denying that there aren't other problems with the air we breath, but at least the smoking ban is a step foward in the right direction. troubadour66 - I'd rather be an "indie square" than some smelly old man that coughs constantly and is mentally messed up from smoking drugs and whatnot xD and yes he was a good guitarist, but to be honest jesus christ could of said it and id still of slagged him off :)

eldooderino

Apr 2, 2008

the smoking ban is a step in the wrong direction, we're in danger of turning into some sort of puritanical, big brother state. have you ever seen equilibrium? it just doesn't work. i remember having an argument with this uber-cool, fashion whore in a pub before the ban was introduced and she asked me to 'please stop smoking near me, it's disgusting'. i refused of course and simply said 'i'm allowed to so ner-ner-ner-ner-ner.' she then went on some rant about how smoking should be banned and how we have no right to complain because smoking is our choice and it's an unnecessary indulgence, throughout which she was sipping from her oh-so necessary double gin and tonic. i then kicked her in the shin and blew smoke in her face.