Smoking Bans Go Worldwide
 

Thought Hong Kong would be the last to ban public smoking but apparently not.

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Hong Kong Could Become A Non-Smoking City

Hong Kong could become an almost completely non-smoking city, with tobacco banned even in bars and nightclubs under new government proposals, a report said Saturday.

The plans are set out in a discussion paper scheduled to be tabled on Monday to the health services panel of the territory's parliament, the Legislative Council, the South China Morning Post reported.

The proposed amendments to the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance, include a call for wide-reaching bans on smoking in offices, shops and factories.
The paper will seek to turn restaurants, bars and karaoke bars as well as school, universities and indoor workplaces into no-smoking zones, the newspaper said.
http://www.china.org.cn/english/DO-e/12608.htm

Scotland smoking ban may be in by summer
IAN SWANSON SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR

A SMOKING ban could be introduced in Scotland as early as next summer if ministers agree to back a Member’s Bill rather than go for their own legislation, it was claimed today.

Scottish Nationalist MSP Stewart Maxwell called on First Minister Jack McConnell and his colleagues to use the Bill he has already introduced in the Scottish Parliament as the best vehicle for outlawing smoking in public places.

And he warned a decision to delay could cost 100 lives.
The First Minister is expected to announce next month he wants to go for a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.
http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?...20040922145843

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Liverpool's smoke ban bid
LIVERPOOL has moved a step closer to becoming the first city in the UK to ban smoking in public places.

A plan for a local act of parliament to prohibit smoking in restaurants, pubs, shops, offices and other enclosed workplaces, is to be considered by the city council.
http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?...&id=1106162004

Norway Bans Public Smoking
Society & Policy
Norway bans smoking in bars
As of June 1st, it is no longer allowed to smoke in restaurants, cafés, discos, bars and pubs. "It would be an act of gross negligence if we did not protect staff against smoke in the working place", said Minister of Health Dagfinn Høybråten
http://www.emb-norway.ca/policy/News/smoking.htm

Ireland Bans Public Smoking
Ireland outlawed smoking in workplaces today, imposing the strictest anti-tobacco measure ever adopted by any country and one certain to change the atmosphere in the country's national institution, the pub.

"I guess I'll be staying home a lot more. It'll be the only place I can have a smoke with my drink," said Sean Hogan, a 46-year-old construction worker, who lit a final melancholy cigarette as the barman at the Brian Boru pub in north Dublin called for last orders Sunday night.

The ban took effect at midnight, shortly after the nation's 10,000 pubs closed

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...&oneclick=true
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what a shame...such a great habit that is healthy

:)

I went to Hong Kong in '99 and everybody and i do mean everybody smoked like a chimney. I've never seen such a high % of smokers.

I've never been there but know people who have and they said the same thing about the number of smokers there. That's why it surprising to hear they're going to ban it in all public places.

**** nonsmokers... they live longer & they are still b****in'

They will pass that crap over dead body..."cough hack hack"

Is the smoking ban in United States? i know its here in Florida, but thats all i know.

I think its a wonderful law. no reasons really.. just like watching the smokers suffer more than they already are.

Individual freedom is on the run almost everywhere now....smoking bans are the trendy way for state goverments to create more income from the establihments seeking waivers or from fines from violators....it's not about safety, it's a money making scam and everyone knows it...

"It's not about my politics
Something happened way too quick
A bunch of men who played it sick
They divide, conquer

It's all here before your eyes
Safety is a big disguise
That hides among the other lies
They divide, conquer" - Husker Du.

I dont know how public these bans are but i really couldnt careless where they smoke, some of my family members smoke so im used to it, but i do think its a good idea t oban smoking from resturaunts.

I really hated it when they banned drinking and driving, such an infringment of my right to drink beer and ciruse for chicks.

:thumbsup:

Cool deal.

Now if the rest of the US would just get on board.

B.S. dude, it's unhealthy and can cause other people to get sick around you.

It's not your personal freedom to give me 2nd hand smoke and cancer while your at it.

Well, no kidding ::).

...but you're sadly mistaken if you don't believe untapped revenue isn't the primary reason behind the sudden vigerous push to get the bans in place. Establishments pay big money for waiver requests and even bigger amounts in fines and that cash goes directly to the State. Even if a waiver is granted, it is subject to an annual fee.....it's all about money under the premise of public safety..a "cost-effective" way to help make up State budget shortfalls.

There was a reason why they didn't put it up to a public vote here...the revenue stream was much too valuable to risk being shot down.

yeah, you just don't know how bad I feel for smokers :)

I don't smoke either, but I know bullshat when I smell it. Today it's smokers...tomorrow it just might be something you enjoy.

as long as they don't take away my heroin I'm good

i can't wait till they tax soda & fast food.

sometimes people don't understand free will, and condone oppression of others

they already do

it's called sales tax

You're into H eh?, This explains a lot......Ha!

you are a dingas.

i'm talking a tax say $1.35 on each soda, fast food meal, or anything made with meat.

we got all these fat asses that are going to be as huge a burden on the healthcare system as smokers.

then with the risk of mad-cow & how meat sits in your colon acting as a carcinogen, we need to tax a $1 per meat item.

next we'll tax milk extra because they inject cows with hormones that may cause cancer, and for the fact the feed cows other cows (that were downed) with a mixture of feed & chicken poop you know the milk has to be good for you....

Difference is the glutton just fuuuns himself up while the smoker poisons the air for every innocent that happens in the area.

Sorry baja,

I don't agree with you. I smoke, and you know what. I don't smoke in resteraunts, because i don't like smoking when i eat. I pretty much only smoke outside to begin with, unless i go to my local bar where i'd say... 70% of the people smoke.

What you are talking about is just taking my right to decide what to consume myself. I know not every smoker might not be as 'polite' as i am. But i don't understand how i sit outside that the 2nd hand smoke effects you. How does my cig smoke effect you baja?

well it pisses me off that I have to walk throw a wall of smoke just to get inside my office building....all the smokers stand right outside the doors

same thing with a lot of malls and what not, have to pass through rings of smoke just to get into the building.

Personally I can think of worse ways for the gov't to make up some debt money than collecting fine money from places breaking an established law. People always assume that because the gov't tries inventive ways to bring in money that they are conspriing against the citizens, but the fact is they need the money and it has to come from somewhere.

If every smoker were a considerate smoker such as yourself Josh than there would be no need for protective laws.