Crackdown On Smoking At Pubs, Enteratinment Venues

[quiksilva]

Why do all smoking threads end up as flame wars?

[John K]

Why do all smoking threads end up as flame wars?

Nicotine is a drug, and drugs make people do strange things.

[mikethevigoman]

Why do all smoking threads end up as flame wars?

There is no smoke without flames

[moldy]

Why do all smoking threads end up as flame wars?

Nicotine is a drug, and drugs make people do strange things.

Yes, but usually only the people that take them

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi.

This happened in Germany. A small company of 8 employees, 7 of them (boss included) smokers, one non-smoker. The non-smoker had the nerve to demand of the other 7 to stop smoking for his "right to be protected", even went to alert the chamber of commerce and whatnot.

The boss exercised his right to control over the firm, and fired the non-smoker. Official ground: "Disturbing the work environment".

Non-smoker LOST COURT BATTLE, and boss hired another smoker to fill the vacant position.

Now HERE it's as if we didn't have other problems. Walking along a busy road for 5 minutes gets you more poison into your lungs than smoking a pack of cigarettes. But nobody gives a dam_n for that because everyone drives themselves, correct? And it's always easy to bash the smokers, who carry a very large percentage of the country's tax earnings.

You all don't see how laughable you are... nothing but a bunch of ALCOHOLICS who can't live without spending considerable time in bars and pubs, hence being exposed to smoke. If you want to not get exposed to smoke, stay at home or go see a movie, there's no smoking in there. But as long as YOU can't live without the booze, stop complaining about those who can't live without the cigarette. My death is healthier than yours, screw it.

And i personally rather stay with a bunch of smokers that be exposed to a single drunk driver out there on the road, be that on my motorbike, walking, or in my car. I had two crashes already, both caused by drunk drivers, and it's enough.

By the way I DO NOT SMOKE. Nor drink!

Regards.....

Thanh

[Mobi]

Well it looks as though you smokers will have until June to get used to the new rules:

Strict smoking bans in force

All bars, pubs, discos, clubs - and markets

SURASAK GLAHAN AND AFP

A total ban on smoking in pubs and clubs throughout the country takes effect today, to the delight of non-smokers and the chagrin of smokers.

The ban covers all air-conditioned bars, pubs, discos and clubs.

In addition, the owners of outdoor restaurants and markets are required to designate smoking and non-smoking zones.

"They will have to cross the street to smoke over there," said Than Leebamrung, the 36-year-old owner of the Sapha Kafe (Coffee Council) bar, when asked what arrangements he had made to help his customers.

Other bars and clubs may simply ask customers to smoke outside in the doorways, but Mr Than was not sure if the same could be applied to his bar, which is in the Din Daeng area.

This is because it is situated in a commercial building, where smoking is not allowed.

Like Mr Than, most bar owners see the law as impinging on people's civil liberties.

"People going to these entertainment places find it acceptable to be exposed to cigarette smoke. I have never received any complaints from non-smokers," he said.

The owner of a bar on Khao San road, who asked not to be named, frowned on the ban, saying it would certainly affect his business.

"Lawmakers should instead allow operators to set up both smoking and non-smoking areas to be fair," he said.

The law previously exempted nightclubs and bars from a smoking ban which was introduced in 2002.

The original ban covered indoor public places, including air-conditioned restaurants.

The ban's extension is being hailed by health advocates who say it is another milestone for tobacco control.

"By banning smoking in pubs and nightclubs, Thailand has once again shown its leadership in tobacco control in the international community, following the examples of Ireland, Uruguay, the UK, France and others," said Bungon Ritthiphakdee, director of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance.

"Hopefully, in the near future, all open-air restaurants in Thailand will be 100% smoke free," she added.

Health advocates said the new law would protect both patrons and workers in bars and clubs from the effects of second-hand smoke, which studies have shown can cause asthma, strokes and even heart attacks.

They said it would also help smokers quit the habit more easily.

Chonticha Putharak, a 21-year-old non-smoker who used to work in a bar, said she developed breathing difficulties and her eyes would also hurt when she was there.

"The law sounds good to me because I have an allergy," she said.

Chai Jeam-mornrat, a 33-year-old fashion designer who smokes almost a packet of cigarettes a night when visiting his favourite bars at weekends, said the new law is good as it would discourage him from smoking.

"I like to smoke when drinking alcohol. Being forced to go out of a club just to smoke outside could make me choose to not smoke to avoid the inconvenience," he said.

However, many are still doubtful about whether the law will be effectively enforced.

One bar worker said that bar owners may ignore the law and bribe police into turning a blind eye so that things could continue as before.

Karn Yaempetch, 33, who once co-owned the Original Sin club in the Chatuchak area agreed that it could be a problem.

"Now it all depends on how effective the law enforcement will be," he said.

"Law enforcement in this countryrarely works.

"I think a voluntary measure with proper education on tobacco's impact on health would be more effective than the smoking ban."

The health ministry said bar and restaurant owners can relax, at least for now, because authorities won't begin fining the law breakers until June.

"Although the ban takes effect on Feb 11, we will focus more on educating people and issuing warnings rather than fining wrongdoers until May 31," said Seri Hongyok, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Office.

The ministry is prepared to advise businesses on how to comply with the new rules, and will distribute copies of the regulations by the end of February, Mr Seri said.

"If there is any breach of the law, our authorities will consider them on a case-by-case basis to ensure fair treatment," he said.

Edited February 11, 2008 by Mobi

[Ijustwannateach]

A flame has been removed, and further flames earn warnings, as this is a no-smoking thread .....

Must say that I have been greatly surprised and relieved that in every venue I've visited recently, the ban HAS been enforced.

[kuma]

wish i could say the same but alas no. ashtrays are still put out every night and staff are smoking as much as ever, though the number of customers smoking has dropped.

this idea of a few mnths to educate before fining seems to be taken by some as keep the fires burning til the last minute. now see if the mandarins actually follow up the law with enforcement or if it just becomes another lost cause.

A flame has been removed, and further flames earn warnings, as this is a no-smoking thread .....

Must say that I have been greatly surprised and relieved that in every venue I've visited recently, the ban HAS been enforced.

[thaigene2]

So let's see - ashtrays still out in bangkok. Seems the punters can still smoke, counter to the new laws, but can't drink this weekend - or next due the election laws banning booze, which ARE being enforced. TIT.

High Season in Thailand - I can count at least 7 no-alcohol days so far due to elections and religious days..(maybe 8 if some places refused to sell on HM's B'day). Then again, it wasn't that long ago that Western countries weren't allowed to sell booze on Sundays.

Edited February 23, 2008 by thaigene2

[Thanh-BKK]

They should have 365 Elections per year.... one per day!! It makes Thailand so much safer.......

Thanh

[tartempion]

What do you non-smokers think your breathing in the street's of Bangkok or ant other place in Thailand? Fresh Tuk-Tuk air!I espeacialy love when you come back, from a walk outside and blow that healthy black stuff out of your nose. Breathe On!

That's exactly why I can't stand living in Bagkok or any other city whilst we are at it.

BTW, I spent 3 days In Bangkok early February, and you had to see the brown smog over the city from the 20th floor of my son's condo and it did STINK up there, so do major cities and minor town I am affraid.

The tambon headman however lives 100m from my place and he burns his plastic bags full of trash weekly.

How wel educated he is.

Isn't there a law forbidding the burning of trash?

Edited February 24, 2008 by tartempion

[tartempion]

Smokers are just scapegoats for a pious bunch of so and so's in my view, who then get in their awful cars and reveal themselves to be freakin hypocrites too.

Must be best/worste TV Quote for 2008 so far

[BalthazarBeefheart]

Its funny but if I was a tobacco company employee or shareholder I would be laughing at some of the arguments used on here for the continuation of smoking - yes laughing all the way to the bank.

Cheers BB

[kiakaha]

Smokers are just scapegoats for a pious bunch of so and so's in my view, who then get in their awful cars and reveal themselves to be freakin hypocrites too.

Must be best/worste TV Quote for 2008 so far

Hmmm..another person who seems to think that cars walk into bars, order a pint, and exhaust directly all over the bloke sitting next to them.Are you sure thats tobacco in your pipe ?

The environmental pollution "analogy attempt" is not all that strong...1) the issue at hand is about smoking "inside bars" 2) there are also plenty of bars around Thailand where the outside air quality is not polluted.

[frogmo1]

The arguments put forward by ex-smokers on the quality of air issue belong on a separate thread and I support you. I do not like the smell of smoke. Its that simple. I am not commenting on world air quality, holes in the ozone or global warming. I'm talking about the smell of smoke in an enclosed space and how it irritates my nose and eyes.

The war on smokers is pretty much over. We are just walking around bayouneting the wounded.

Enjoy.

Well, the "wounded" appear to be fighting back!

The Soi 8 Pub and Restaurant near the entrance to Sukhumvit soi 8, which I've patronized for years, has decided to defy the smoking ban by intimidating, assaulting and physically ejecting anybody who politely complains about the pub's policy of defiance.

I found out the hard way en route home this evening from work. When I politely pointed out to the onsite manager that most of the pubs and restaurants in the lower Sukhumvit area were compliant with the non-smoking law, the manager replied with a variety of threats of physical violence. He then acted on his threats, taking away my eyeglasses and a glass of wine I had ordered and canceling my sandwich order, after which he punched, kicked and physically ejected me.

If you are inclined to complain about the Soi 8 Pub's lawlessness, you'd better bring your own security personnel.

Yes, I did file a criminal complaint with the Lumpini Police Department -- not for violation of the smoking ban, for assault and battery. And yes, there are alternatives on soi 8 to this rogue pub.

[kiakaha]

The arguments put forward by ex-smokers on the quality of air issue belong on a separate thread and I support you. I do not like the smell of smoke. Its that simple. I am not commenting on world air quality, holes in the ozone or global warming. I'm talking about the smell of smoke in an enclosed space and how it irritates my nose and eyes.

The war on smokers is pretty much over. We are just walking around bayouneting the wounded.

Enjoy.

Well, the "wounded" appear to be fighting back!

The Soi 8 Pub and Restaurant near the entrance to Sukhumvit soi 8, which I've patronized for years, has decided to defy the smoking ban by intimidating, assaulting and physically ejecting anybody who politely complains about the pub's policy of defiance.

I found out the hard way en route home this evening from work. When I politely pointed out to the onsite manager that most of the pubs and restaurants in the lower Sukhumvit area were compliant with the non-smoking law, the manager replied with a variety of threats of physical violence. He then acted on his threats, taking away my eyeglasses and a glass of wine I had ordered and canceling my sandwich order, after which he punched, kicked and physically ejected me.

If you are inclined to complain about the Soi 8 Pub's lawlessness, you'd better bring your own security personnel.

Yes, I did file a criminal complaint with the Lumpini Police Department -- not for violation of the smoking ban, for assault and battery. And yes, there are alternatives on soi 8 to this rogue pub.

That is surprising because that pub, unlike many others, actually has a decent size outdoor area at the front that can easily seat 30-40 people.

[laxman1960]

I am sitting here talking to the owner and it definitely didn't go down like this is reported. I know him quite well, and his pub is the most customer friendly pub I know!

Here is what actually happened (which is also on cctv tape!):

Firstly he has never seen this customer in two years.

Secondly the owner spoke to the Customer on the phone after the manager advised him that he was taking photographs in the pub, the customer told him that he was going to lay a complaint to the police about smoking which was his prerogative if he wanted. However he was not allowed to take photographs in the pub and if he continued to do so he would have to leave.

He told the manager that he would not leave and continued to take photographs, at which time he was escorted from the pub, at no stage was he physically assaulted. He was screaming out for the police and anyone else to help him. His actions were clearly designed to disturb other customers in the pub.

This customer was intoxicated at the time, and despite complaining about the smoking advised that he wanted to stay and drink his glass of wine and have a meal.

It is Soi 8 Pub policy to become a non-smoking pub and have already designated the outside area as a smoking area. They have however, taken the position to phase in the non-smoking policy.

Dan

The arguments put forward by ex-smokers on the quality of air issue belong on a separate thread and I support you. I do not like the smell of smoke. Its that simple. I am not commenting on world air quality, holes in the ozone or global warming. I'm talking about the smell of smoke in an enclosed space and how it irritates my nose and eyes.

The war on smokers is pretty much over. We are just walking around bayouneting the wounded.

Enjoy.

Well, the "wounded" appear to be fighting back!

The Soi 8 Pub and Restaurant near the entrance to Sukhumvit soi 8, which I've patronized for years, has decided to defy the smoking ban by intimidating, assaulting and physically ejecting anybody who politely complains about the pub's policy of defiance.

I found out the hard way en route home this evening from work. When I politely pointed out to the onsite manager that most of the pubs and restaurants in the lower Sukhumvit area were compliant with the non-smoking law, the manager replied with a variety of threats of physical violence. He then acted on his threats, taking away my eyeglasses and a glass of wine I had ordered and canceling my sandwich order, after which he punched, kicked and physically ejected me.

If you are inclined to complain about the Soi 8 Pub's lawlessness, you'd better bring your own security personnel.

Yes, I did file a criminal complaint with the Lumpini Police Department -- not for violation of the smoking ban, for assault and battery. And yes, there are alternatives on soi 8 to this rogue pub.

That is surprising because that pub, unlike many others, actually has a decent size outdoor area at the front that can easily seat 30-40 people.

[hallam]

The arguments put forward by ex-smokers on the quality of air issue belong on a separate thread and I support you. I do not like the smell of smoke. Its that simple. I am not commenting on world air quality, holes in the ozone or global warming. I'm talking about the smell of smoke in an enclosed space and how it irritates my nose and eyes.

The war on smokers is pretty much over. We are just walking around bayouneting the wounded.

Enjoy.

Well, the "wounded" appear to be fighting back!

The Soi 8 Pub and Restaurant near the entrance to Sukhumvit soi 8, which I've patronized for years, has decided to defy the smoking ban by intimidating, assaulting and physically ejecting anybody who politely complains about the pub's policy of defiance.

I found out the hard way en route home this evening from work. When I politely pointed out to the onsite manager that most of the pubs and restaurants in the lower Sukhumvit area were compliant with the non-smoking law, the manager replied with a variety of threats of physical violence. He then acted on his threats, taking away my eyeglasses and a glass of wine I had ordered and canceling my sandwich order, after which he punched, kicked and physically ejected me.

If you are inclined to complain about the Soi 8 Pub's lawlessness, you'd better bring your own security personnel.

Yes, I did file a criminal complaint with the Lumpini Police Department -- not for violation of the smoking ban, for assault and battery. And yes, there are alternatives on soi 8 to this rogue pub.

As the owner of Soi 8, I can say firstly that I have never seen this customer in my two years of ownership. Secondly we do not assault customers. His comment that he was "punched and kicked" is pure fabrication and in contradiction of the video evidence. We were paid a visit by the police who dismissed the customers complaint having viewed the tape.

The customer was not asked to leave because of his anti-smoking complaint which is his absolute right. He was asked to leave because he refused to stop taking photographs in the pub.

He was escorted from the pub without any physical restraint but was screaming for the police both on his way out and for some time in the street. His actions were unnecessary and clearly predetermined and designed to disturb other customers. The customer was very intoxicated and despite his complaint, he still insisted on wanting to eat and drink.

If anyone believes that this customer was assaulted, they are welcome to view the cctv tapes.

[davejonesbkk]

I want to see the cctv tapes. Please upload them on YouTube and then post the link.

[kiakaha]

I want to see the cctv tapes. Please upload them on YouTube and then post the link.

hey, while ya at it, you don't happen to have any footage from Lolitas across the road do ya

[mrbojangles]

As the owner of Soi 8, I can say firstly that I have never seen this customer in my two years of ownership. Secondly we do not assault customers. His comment that he was "punched and kicked" is pure fabrication and in contradiction of the video evidence. We were paid a visit by the police who dismissed the customers complaint having viewed the tape.

The customer was not asked to leave because of his anti-smoking complaint which is his absolute right. He was asked to leave because he refused to stop taking photographs in the pub.

He was escorted from the pub without any physical restraint but was screaming for the police both on his way out and for some time in the street. His actions were unnecessary and clearly predetermined and designed to disturb other customers. The customer was very intoxicated and despite his complaint, he still insisted on wanting to eat and drink.

If anyone believes that this customer was assaulted, they are welcome to view the cctv tapes.

Yeah good on you. I've frequented your pub, although i'm not a regular as i don't live in Bkk and the service has been great. Get's up my nose what these no-lifes get upto, to try and make their lives a tad less boring.

As a bar owner, you probably get quite alot of <deleted> behaviour from drunken punters but to have to come on here and explain the truth because he has told a pack of lies, must get up your nose.

P.S. Take care of the guys who come to watch the footy, whilst i'm away

[Ijustwannateach]

An inflammatory post has been removed. Please comply with the Thaivisa Forum Rules in posting on this thread.

[hallam]

I want to see the cctv tapes. Please upload them on YouTube and then post the link.

Will do

[hallam]

As the owner of Soi 8, I can say firstly that I have never seen this customer in my two years of ownership. Secondly we do not assault customers. His comment that he was "punched and kicked" is pure fabrication and in contradiction of the video evidence. We were paid a visit by the police who dismissed the customers complaint having viewed the tape.

The customer was not asked to leave because of his anti-smoking complaint which is his absolute right. He was asked to leave because he refused to stop taking photographs in the pub.

He was escorted from the pub without any physical restraint but was screaming for the police both on his way out and for some time in the street. His actions were unnecessary and clearly predetermined and designed to disturb other customers. The customer was very intoxicated and despite his complaint, he still insisted on wanting to eat and drink.

If anyone believes that this customer was assaulted, they are welcome to view the cctv tapes.

Yeah good on you. I've frequented your pub, although i'm not a regular as i don't live in Bkk and the service has been great. Get's up my nose what these no-lifes get upto, to try and make their lives a tad less boring.

As a bar owner, you probably get quite alot of <deleted> behaviour from drunken punters but to have to come on here and explain the truth because he has told a pack of lies, must get up your nose.

P.S. Take care of the guys who come to watch the footy, whilst i'm away

Thanks for the positive feed back. I have to say that generally speaking our customers are great...sure a few drunken punters but mostly good natured. We respect the rights of all of customers to express their opinions but I cannot brook someone who clearly lies about being "punched and kicked". We regard this very seriously and will be taking appropriate action to show this did not occur.

Look forward to seeing the boys.

[mrtoad]

As the owner of Soi 8, I can say firstly that I have never seen this customer in my two years of ownership. Secondly we do not assault customers. His comment that he was "punched and kicked" is pure fabrication and in contradiction of the video evidence. We were paid a visit by the police who dismissed the customers complaint having viewed the tape.

The customer was not asked to leave because of his anti-smoking complaint which is his absolute right. He was asked to leave because he refused to stop taking photographs in the pub.

He was escorted from the pub without any physical restraint but was screaming for the police both on his way out and for some time in the street. His actions were unnecessary and clearly predetermined and designed to disturb other customers. The customer was very intoxicated and despite his complaint, he still insisted on wanting to eat and drink.

If anyone believes that this customer was assaulted, they are welcome to view the cctv tapes.

Yeah good on you. I've frequented your pub, although i'm not a regular as i don't live in Bkk and the service has been great. Get's up my nose what these no-lifes get upto, to try and make their lives a tad less boring.

As a bar owner, you probably get quite alot of <deleted> behaviour from drunken punters but to have to come on here and explain the truth because he has told a pack of lies, must get up your nose.

P.S. Take care of the guys who come to watch the footy, whilst i'm away

Thanks for the positive feed back. I have to say that generally speaking our customers are great...sure a few drunken punters but mostly good natured. We respect the rights of all of customers to express their opinions but I cannot brook someone who clearly lies about being "punched and kicked". We regard this very seriously and will be taking appropriate action to show this did not occur.

Look forward to seeing the boys.

We will be ack in again this weekend for sure, probably a good crowd of 7 or 8 of us . So, I'd better book a table.I have to say that I have been frequenting this pub for the past couple of years, and I can safley say that Dave is a most hospitable manager. I find it totally undbeleivable that any such thing like this would happen in that particular bar.

As for the guy taking photo's what a complete tool . He's lucky he didn't get punched by a customer for the invasion of privacy. As regards the implementation of the law, I think Bras have a couple of months to comply, so it's the bar persons perogative. As so frequently said on here "If you don't like it.........".

Edited February 27, 2008 by mrtoad

[BalthazarBeefheart]

As the owner of Soi 8, I can say firstly that I have never seen this customer in my two years of ownership. Secondly we do not assault customers. His comment that he was "punched and kicked" is pure fabrication and in contradiction of the video evidence. We were paid a visit by the police who dismissed the customers complaint having viewed the tape.

The customer was not asked to leave because of his anti-smoking complaint which is his absolute right. He was asked to leave because he refused to stop taking photographs in the pub.

He was escorted from the pub without any physical restraint but was screaming for the police both on his way out and for some time in the street. His actions were unnecessary and clearly predetermined and designed to disturb other customers. The customer was very intoxicated and despite his complaint, he still insisted on wanting to eat and drink.

If anyone believes that this customer was assaulted, they are welcome to view the cctv tapes.

Yeah good on you. I've frequented your pub, although i'm not a regular as i don't live in Bkk and the service has been great. Get's up my nose what these no-lifes get upto, to try and make their lives a tad less boring.

As a bar owner, you probably get quite alot of <deleted> behaviour from drunken punters but to have to come on here and explain the truth because he has told a pack of lies, must get up your nose.

P.S. Take care of the guys who come to watch the footy, whilst i'm away

Thanks for the positive feed back. I have to say that generally speaking our customers are great...sure a few drunken punters but mostly good natured. We respect the rights of all of customers to express their opinions but I cannot brook someone who clearly lies about being "punched and kicked". We regard this very seriously and will be taking appropriate action to show this did not occur.

Look forward to seeing the boys.

We will be ack in again this weekend for sure, probably a good crowd of 7 or 8 of us . So, I'd better book a table.I have to say that I have been frequenting this pub for the past couple of years, and I can safley say that Dave is a most hospitable manager. I find it totally undbeleivable that any such thing like this would happen in that particular bar.

As for the guy taking photo's what a complete tool . He's lucky he didn't get punched by a customer for the invasion of privacy. As regards the implementation of the law, I think Bras have a couple of months to comply, so it's the bar persons perogative. As so frequently said on here "If you don't like it.........".

"If you don't like it......" Take your custom elsewhere where you don't have to smoke passively. Simple solution.

I guess that pub is in for a difficult time as the guy taking photos has succeeded in drawing attention to it - they'll have more smokers than Lolitas now.

Cheers BB

[mrtoad]

"If you don't like it......" Take your custom elsewhere where you don't have to smoke passively. Simple solution.

I guess that pub is in for a difficult time as the guy taking photos has succeeded in drawing attention to it - they'll have more smokers than Lolitas now.

Cheers BB

I think you can safely say that particular bar, is always pretty busy at weekends and has a fairly solid customer base, so the ludicrous claims of frogmo, will probably only bring in more customers.

Edited February 27, 2008 by mrtoad

[kiakaha]

"If you don't like it......" Take your custom elsewhere where you don't have to smoke passively. Simple solution.

I guess that pub is in for a difficult time as the guy taking photos has succeeded in drawing attention to it - they'll have more smokers than Lolitas now.

Cheers BB

I think you can safely say that particular bar, is always pretty busy at weekends and has a fairly solid customer base, so the ludicrous claims of frogmo, will probably only bring in more customers.

As long as it doesn't attract the local freelancing brigade now ... thats one of the nice things about that place(given its location), is that it is more or less working gal free ,so more like a real pub back home.

[mrtoad]

"If you don't like it......" Take your custom elsewhere where you don't have to smoke passively. Simple solution.

I guess that pub is in for a difficult time as the guy taking photos has succeeded in drawing attention to it - they'll have more smokers than Lolitas now.

Cheers BB

I think you can safely say that particular bar, is always pretty busy at weekends and has a fairly solid customer base, so the ludicrous claims of frogmo, will probably only bring in more customers.

As long as it doesn't attract the local freelancing brigade now ... thats one of the nice things about that place(given its location), is that it is more or less working gal free ,so more like a real pub back home.

Agreed, thats what I like about the place. Pretty much freelancer free, and just like a typical pub. Good food at a reasonable price, good selection of drinks and pleasant staff apart from one miserable waitress.

[BangkokWildcat]

Hallam, I won't be visiting your pub anytime soon....that's for sure! Please let me qualify my remark....First, if the CCTV does indeed show your side of the story (and I am assuming it does by your willingness to post it on YouTube) then I sympathize with you having to deal with that idiot and good riddance to that guy.

HOWEVER, I don't like / support your "phasing" in your compliance to the local anti-smoking law. Sure, you are in a difficult place due to the ridiculously lax enforcement of the law but you do show total disregard to the welfare of your non-smoking customers and employees. For all my adult life I've had to suck in secondhand smoke from mostly selfish smokers and have had to deal with the health ramifications from that. And before you say "It's your choice Mate, you don't have to frequent these establishments...blah blah blah" (sorry if I'm assuming you would say that) I discount that retort because I do like to go out and drink but I don't spit my waste onto other customers nearby. I don't fart in their faces, sneeze on their mouths, cough up their noses, shit on their heads, throw up on their clothes, etc. I do like to go out, drink, eat, and spend my money in entertainment venues and until now, almost every place had smokers.

I've had to bite my toungue, hold my breath, move my seat, and try (mostly in vain) to avoid the plumes of smoke blown my way (90% of the time smokers don't even try to blow their smoke away from nonsmokers) in a futile attempt to salvage whatever's left of my lungs. However, now it's the LAW but you as an owner show your contempt for the enforcement of the law by "phasing it in".....just curious Hallam, what do you mean by this?

Hallam, when will you enforce it? I would love to support this move by visiting your establishment and giving you my business. Now that I have a choice as some owners are actually enforcing compliance to the LAW, I will gladly go out more often and only frequent these places. However, when enforcement does come into effect I will gladly report any business that doesn't comply so at the very least the owner will have to pay some kickback to avoid being busted / fined for noncompliance. In addition I will remember those that callously refused to support the law until they absolutely had to. I will pay back those businesses by not giving them my business, badmouthing their establishments (I've lived here for over a decade and am constantly being asked for advice on where to go out for fun. I have to entertain clients, show friends around when they visit, am active on internet boards, etc.) and doing whatever I can to not support those places who have shown their contempt towards my health.

Irony is that actually I don't care what consenting adults do (ie. prostitution, drugs, alcohol, porn, etc) as long as it doesn't affect non-consenting adults. But this smoking law has finally shown me the "light". I really am not a jerk but I've had ENOUGH of smokers (or at the least smoker supporters) screwing up my lungs and overall health. Actually I rarely post and "get involved" with these types of discussions but 'Enough is enough'.

Apologize for the rant but it's time for all nonsmokers to do their best to support this law and it's enforcement in the early stages as it may be our only chance. By the way, a good alternative to the Soi 8 Pub is Gulliver's on Soi 5. They are actually enforcing the law and the inside atrium (too bad for the really cool atrium they once had though) has been converted to a smoking area. You can enjoy hanging out there in a smoke-free environment.

Again, Hallam, when will you obey / comply with the law? Or do you not want my (or anyone I know or can influence) business? Sorry again to sound like a hardas# but I'm extremely passionate about this topic and have put up with sucking in other people's smoke for too long!