Smoking

[dodo roz]

Bangkok Post
Today
Link

Anti-smoking bans extended today

(TNA) - Carefree days for tobacco puffers in Thailand are going up in smoke. Starting today, the law banning smoking in virtually all public places comes into force.

Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla called on law enforcement agencies and entertainment venues to strictly enforce the law. Owners of entertainment venues failing to comply with the law may be subject to between 10,000-20,000 baht fine and those who puff a cigarette despite the law may have to pay a fine of 2,000 baht.

Thailand has one of the toughest anti-smoking laws in the world. It is at the forefront of the region's anti-smoking campaign and has enacted a host of restrictions on the tobacco industry including bans on cigarette advertisements, bans on smoking in most public places and requirements that all cigarette packs include graphic photos depicting the ill effects of tobacco on health.

Last year the government banned cigarette displays at points of sale, making Thailand was the third country worldwide to do so.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Dr Mongkol said that smoking claimed 52,000 lives yearly as a result of cancer and heart disease. The government has to foot the bills of over 50 billion baht to treat those with lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema.

“To make sure that the law is carried out to the letter, we need cooperation from all involved. If there is not a clear sign-posting, or no proper smoking zone and non-smoking zone in public places, owners of such venues would be liable to fines,” said Dr Mongkol.

Virtually all public places would be declared non-smoking zones under the new restriction which becomes effective today, except personal offices, private rooms and designated smoking rooms.


Hvis det forsوtter sهdan her, sه bliver filippinnerne snart overrendt med expath fra thailand.

 

[Sata]

Yeah right.

 

[Killer]

So is there no smoking allowed at the beer bars now? Or is it just inside shops, restaurants etc?

That would be great if it was. Smoking in doors in shops, work, bars etc. was banned last April in Scotland. The pubs took an initial hit but business has picked up and in some cases got better as non smokers now go out knowing they will not come back stinking like ashtrays.

Tests on bar staff before and after the ban has also shown a significant increase in their health now they are not subject to customers smoke.

 

[verms55]

I didn't see restaurants mentioned. Don't think it includes service establishments.

 

[lilitaly79]

So what areas are you not allowed to smoke, the middle of the street??

 

[shanna]

That ... and restaurants and bars, etc.

 

[mommy2b 7 days left :)]

Disgusting habit!!! :aan:

 

[emperoryt]

It is a disgusting habit. I smoked for 23 years, peaked at 3 packs per day, and have been smoke free for 17 years.

I still don't think the government should dictate whether smoking should be allowed in areas where you have a choice whether you want to be there, that includes restaurants and bars. The free market powers will automatically regulate that. If I see a sigh in a window of a restaurant that states "No smoking allowed", I will be more likely to visit that one, rather than the one that does allow smoking.

On the other hand area like the work place, public offices, public transportation, etc., I am all for a mandated smoke free environment.

 

[Bill]

That has not been the experience here in Scotland or in Eire where they have had the ban for years. The few places that banned smoking could not survive economically.

So does that mean there is no smoking allowed now at the MTB? great if it is

 

[Ginny]

Well, still free market powers. In California the opposite could be said even before the government banned smoking in restaurants and bars.

I can only read the report and based on what I read, the new rules does not affect smoking in bars. If I am right, by all means light up, but don't blow it in my face.

 

[Brittany]

What have you been smoking Stobel??

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/nightlife/276-smoking-ban-patong.html

(This about all Google came up with from 2002 !!!).

I did a search and could find nothing about a smoking ban - and certainly no-one has issued any orders for it to banned in bars/etc...

Its comming up on Jan 1st - a bit early for April 1st stories!

 

[SucreCaramel]

Search on google for "smoking ban thailand" and you will see a story on the Bangkok Recorder and also on the Bangkok Post amongst others about the smoking ban being extended.

Bangkok Post Breaking News

Thank you for not smoking - www.bangkokrecorder.com

"Thailand’s new ban forbids smoking on public transport, at bus stops, in elevators, public phone booths, libraries, theatres, children's playgrounds, drugstores, meeting rooms, massage parlours, spas, schools, universities, air-conditioned areas in art exhibition halls, galleries, museums, shopping malls, indoor stadiums, barbershops, internet massageplanetes, karaoke booths and the lobbies of hotels resorts, condominiums, apartments and restaurants. However, entertainment areas – including snooker halls – have been left exempt."

So, sounds like bars will still be allow smokers :-(

 

[Punisher]

And out of interest, the UK Government has announced that they will be raising the age that you can buy cigarettes from 16 to 18 in October 2007.

Believe Hong Kong have also just had a crack down on where you can smoke.

 

[2290]

Sorry but i cant wait till they ban smoking fully in the UK it will be happy day for all the non smokers who have to put up with stinking clothes, foul hair smells and intoxicating passive smoking .
lol im sure my opinions not for everyone but hey , if u look at it from a non smokers point of view then u can understand.

Tas

 

[Rupert]

It will be money that drives it, insurance companies are trying to look to the future and see what they will get hit for in twenty tears time. If people have been working in an environment where there is smoke and they get cancer, it will be back to the insurer for a payout. Smoke is the next asbestos.

That said, to my mind a smoke-free environment is an idea who's time has come. This has been talked about in the lcensed trade for twenty years, but they went bust if they tried it back then. It seems to have stuck this time abd will become normal very quickly I think.

It's not that long ago that you could smoke on flights, and that's mind boggling now.

 

[Pompal 09.]

With the apparent downturn in smoking, what are governments going to do to recover the lost income from tobacco sales, obviously increase an existing tax or implement a new tax somewhere. Who are the real winners.

 

[Mommy to Max ~*6-11-09*~]

The government, whichever country are always in the win win situation.

I expect the UK gov' will tax us on the fresh air we breathe:complain: If they could get away with it they would do it.

Don't worry Steve, I expect the motorist will pick up the tab for lost revenue. They do here anyway:angry:

 

[SwimIsAwesome =]]

As a smoker, I realise its a foul and filthy habit, so TBH I welcome the changes that are taking place. It isn't pleasant from anyones point of view to stink of tobacco smoke after a night out. As long as smokers can still have a puff in the open air, I don't see too much of a problem to anyone.

 

[Ava is Beastin!]

Reading the original post, it's the open air smoking that seems to be their first target.

Our bean counters always tell us that it costs the NHS more to treat the diseases than the government gets in taxes off smokers. Maybe true.

 

[Danielle B]

They have just banned it here in Jersey,

Came into force 0400hrs 2nd Jan. Banned everywhere, workplace, public places, phone boxes, bus stops, work vehicles. Only place you are allowed to smoke now is either in the home or out in the open air as long as no other members of the public are around....