Police Ready To Arrest Breakers Of Smoking Ban From Feb 10

[Zpete]

Gee, you must be quick bonker.

I have never looked to see if I smoke after bonking.

No gal ever complained, yet.

[thommo46]

how about just installin smoke-sucking ventillation systems in pubs and those that do have it, let them allow smoking so no one will be irritated?

I work in Brisbane, Australia at a place that repairs these machines.The name of the is called the human being and the name of the workshop is called the Prince Charles Hospital,It specialises in heart/lung transplants and repairs.

Thommo.

[KKK]

Please let's remember that smokers have rights too. So how about some legal 'smokers only' pubs/restaurants. Non smokers can avoid them if they wish but can't complain if they enter. Desicion to be smoking or non-smoking should be left up to the proprietor.

As a 40 year+ smoker don't blame/penalise me that I'm hooked..blame/penalise the tobacco companies and the governments that did nothing about it, except take the profit & tax, when I was young.

[sangfroid]

Can I be fined for smoking after a bonk?

A woman went to the doctor because she was having breathing problems "Do you smoke asked the doc?" "yes" she replied, "do you smoke after meals?" "yes" she replied, "do you smoke after sex?" asks the doc? she says "I don't know, I've never looked"

[chinadarling]

Again.........

So they are soooo concerned about getting exposed to second-hand smoke WHILE GETTING DRUNK IN THE PUB.

Logical, no???

I am for a TOTAL BAN ON ALCOHOL, STARTING IMMEDIATELY. And leave the smokers in peace, they do NOT cause accidents, fights etc.

Regards.....

Thanh (non-smoker by the way but don't mind it the least bit)

ban alcohol and cigarettes and serve pot/hash baked goods instead. much more fun at bars. less puking less fighting, more love

Edited February 8, 2008 by chinadarling

[Ieyuhrah]

The only thing this shows is that political hypocracy is universal. They are banning smoking (even in your car or your house if you have children) but those growing the stuff get paid a subsidy by the government. If it that dangerous then ban it all. But then where will they get the replacement for all the taxes they will lose? I see an eventual situation where everyone will be forced to buy cigs for the tax base but it will be illegal to smoke them. (Nicotine sulphate does make a kickin' 'natural' insecticde.) I say let the owner decide what they want to do with their business. Same thing with wages, who they will serve, prices of the menu (yes, there are some cities considering price controlls so that 'unfortunates' can access 'better' places like the 'advantaged'), etc. The market will take care of the situations. NO ONE has a RIGHT to demand how the owner of any business conducts their business. Fast food places are being sued and under consideration for laws concerning what foods (healthy only) they may serve. Some places already have ordinances concerning the types of cooking oils that may (or may not) be used. I am not a smoker but as long as it is legal and does not affect public safety as drugs (legal, illegal, controlled,to include alcohol) I say, well, you get the idea without an explicit description......... If I do not like a place then I go elsewhere but for anyone to be so obnoxious, conceited, and psedo-superior to FORCE a business owner to cater to anything they deem to be 'proper' is maddening. Wait until I really get worked up over this.........

[chinadarling]

I dont know, I am kinda partial to sex in public. Prefer it to smoking anyway. =p

Smoking is a pleasure to many people, EXTREMELY mentally challenged they be, and unnatural.

Sex is a pleasure for almost everyone, certianly NOT mentally challenged, totally natural.

Sex is done in private.

Smoking should be done in private behind closed doors. NOT in bed.

Smokers are the most selfish socially inconsiderate people on the planet in modern times.

NO SMOKING IN PUBLIC

NO SEX IN PUBLIC

FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED.

[akaika]

Thailand passed 1st country-wide ban on smoking in 2002. Even before Ireland. Enforcement will be 'selective' to be sure (like the law banning use of mobile phones while driving). Contrary to some OP comments, indoor air quality is 10 to 20 times worse than the (indisputably poor) outdoor air quality in places allowing smoking. Even though I don't smoke, I am against these bans and think the government should incentivize businesses that adopt a ban and then the business can decide to provide for its customers demands. The government's incentive expense should offset government incurred health expenses from smoking. There is only one problem with this...

Economists have shown that worldwide, governments (except for one country) make more from tobacco tax then they spend on health care. In general, it is in the best interest for any government that pays for health care if its citizens die as soon as possible after they retire. Smoking helps this.

[Jayman]

Please let's remember that smokers have rights too. So how about some legal 'smokers only' pubs/restaurants. Non smokers can avoid them if they wish but can't complain if they enter. Desicion to be smoking or non-smoking should be left up to the proprietor.

As a 40 year+ smoker don't blame/penalise me that I'm hooked..blame/penalise the tobacco companies and the governments that did nothing about it, except take the profit & tax, when I was young.

This has got to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard. Grow up and take some responsibilty for your actions. I smoked 2 packs a day for many years. When I decided enough was enough, I quit. "Whah Whah, I'm hooked and it's not my fault. The government made me smoke"

As far as your rights as a smoker, you have the right to die of lung cancer. You have the right to spend your hard earned money on cigarettes. You have the right to smoke in private. You DON'T have the right to blow smoke in the faces of others and this is what you are doing whenever you smoke in a public place. You expect to have "smoker only" restaurants? And what about the rights of the employees that have to work in this smoke filled environment? Are you willing to pay MORE for that right cause I'm sure the employees would only be willing to be subjected to this if you paid them more than if they worked in a "smoke free" environment. Even smokers don't want to be in a smoke filled environment for many hours on end.

Why don't you go lock yourself in your bathroom for 8-10 hours and smoke a few packs and then tell us all if you would want to work in that environment day in day out.

[selftaopath]

I've heard it all before... All the smokers and business owners had the same tired old FALSE gripes some years ago when California in the U.S.A adopted the same law.

Now years later, everyone there is calm and fine with it... businesses do just as much business as before...and people who want to smoke take it outside to the patio or other places... And the rest of us non-smokers are not forced to breath other people's smoke. It worked there and it can work in Thailand.

To the poster above who compared the ills of drinking and smoking, get a clue... If someone wants to drink themselves under the table, it may harm them, but it doesn't directly harm everyone around them. But if you're a non-smoker in a crowded, stuffy pub with people all around blowing cigarette smoke, it surely harms you and everyone else breathing in the vicinity.

Based on what happened in Calif., non-smokers make a sacrifice in this too... In the past, I'd always TRY to sit outside at places to avoid being inside where people were smoking. But now with the new laws, it's generally safe for non-smokers to sit inside at places. But as a non-smoker you now take your chances sitting outside on patios and such, because those have become the refuge of smokers...

The bottom line is: Smoking is a nasty habit. If smokers want to slowly kill themselves, that's their choice. But they shouldn't be allowed to take everyone else with them.

Changing behavior from without demands consequences (rewards are more formidable), and consistency, consistency, consistency. My challenge in Thailand is witnessing this very elusive quality i.e. CONSISTENCY. Possibly someone can point me in the right direction to find/see it. Thanks for all your posts and to ThaiVisa.

K

[ohtx2000]

ban smoking in air-conditioned pubs, discos and clubs from February 11, Metropolitan Police Friday had all of Bangkok's 88 police stations ready to arrest and fine any rule breakers.

Country's 1st-priority task - and nothing is more important than THIS, indeed......

THIS is VERY important! Lungs are affected. Get a life. Or better yet, keep smoking and die early and do us all a favor. But don't do it in a place where you can affect so many others who wish to and deserve to live longer.

[stattointhailand]

I remember in Los angeles a few years back the bar owners saying how it would hurt business not being able to smoke in the bar. What a bunch on BS. It did not hurt business at all.

Smoking is a rude as it gets!

And I remember in Dublin a few years back, the bars reported increased sales when they banned smoking .... all the non smokers suddenly started to go to the Pub. That lasted all of three months untill the novelty wore off and they returned to their non smoking living rooms to watch their favorite soap opera on TV. Now ask the Pub owners if it's had an effect ...........especially the 40% who are now seeking other employment due to pub closures since the ban!!

[jstumbo]

But the point is... I'm over 18 years old, vaccined and responsible of my decisions.

So why everywhere in the worlD they try to tell me what I have to do?

Typical smoker's comment.

If I wanted to go and mix dangerous chemicals at restuarants, clubs and pubs, and would splash some of the chemicals on people around me, whould you have a problem with that? Would you feel that the government should not stop people from mixing dangerous chemicals in restuarants, bars and clubs?

It is not about you. If you want to sit in your home and kill yourself, that is fine, but don't poison me in the process.

People say that if I don't want to deal with the smoke, then don't go to a club. Well, I like going out and having a few drinks, and listening to some music. Why should I have to subject myself to poisons to do it? Also, I would think that less than half the people in a place are smoking. So why should the majority of people have to be poisoned because a few want to kill themselves. People that smoke have an option, they can go into a special smoking room in a club, or go outside and have a cigarette. Kind of hard to go into a special breathing room or to go outside when I want to take a breath.

[jstumbo]

However, they do spend a lot on smoking related diseases so they are not ahead in the end-game as you suggest (I think).

They just came out with a study that said that smokers and obese people actually save the government money in the long run. They kill themselves sooner by smoking and while there are higher cost up front, they avoid the additional medical costs by dying 10 years earlier. Fewer smokers have to deal with Alziemers (sp) because they do not live long enough.

[jstumbo]

But it's the non-smokers who permanently FORCE their view on others under the pretext of "health concerns". It's sure healthy to drink yourself under the table while not being exposed to the oh-so-dangerous second-hand smoke.

Yes, non-smokers are trying to FORCE clean air on smokers. If I was mixing dangerous chemicals next to you would you feel that I was FORCING the danger on you, or you were denying my right to do it if you wanted me to stop?

Sure, both drinking to excess and smoking are dangerous. Punish those that let their habit impose on others. Drink to much, get in a fight, go to jail. Drink to mutch, drive, go to jail. Poison those around you in a pub, club, restuarant, get a fine.

[jstumbo]

and I turned the life support machine off on my father at 60 from lung cancer from smoking...

I don't know that I ever saw my grandfather without a cigarette in one hand and a budweiser in the other hand. Died at 60 also of lung cancer, not liver failure.

[jstumbo]

Please let's remember that smokers have rights too. So how about some legal 'smokers only' pubs/restaurants.

Sure smokers have rights, but one of them is not to poison the people around them. As for smokers only pubs, right now that is every pub in Thailand.

[STOUTBOY]

Excellent New's.

Is it just Air Con establishment's? If so when will it become law for all venue's????

[jstumbo]

I say let the owner decide what they want to do with their business.

Owners would never prevent anyone from doing anything at their club. They want to get the most people in as possible, so they let smokers and non smokers both into the club.

People go to clubs to drink and listen to music, not to smoke (they may smoke there, but that is not the reason they go out to a club). Which do you think would do better, a club with no drinking or a club with no smoking? Non-smokers want to go to clubs also, and have been putting up with second hand smoke since there have been clubs and cigarettes. Who should be inconvienenced, the person wanting clean air or the person wanting to poison the people around them?

[Scott]

I smoke. If I chose to kill myself, my business, but what about the people who have little choice but to work in a pub and are exposed to everyone's smoke for 8-10 hours a day, 6 days a week. I think part of this law needs to be aimed at them.

I never smoke in an air conditioned place, even though I am often told I can. It's just plain impolite and unhealthy. (OK I am not perfect, I recently farted in an elevator and that caused quite a stir--blamed the nice lady next me though)!

[thaibkk]

Good to know that Thailand is doing something for us :

assuring a new way for policemen to compensate for their small salary

2000 baht a pop ... now you understand why some drive benz and live high style villa with their small salary

but as i am totally opposed by that dam_n smelling cancer polution stick, I can only be happy that some selfish person in a restaurant that finished his meal, will not disrupt my pleasure while still eating

i or my whole Thai family will never be fined... none of us smoke .. its totally disguesting anyway

[bloody tiger]

After having a lung removed because of lung cancer, i decided to retire to thailand for a nice hassle free life...and now they tell me i can't smoke when i go out disco dancing!!

[Tony Clifton]

By the way my boss in Germany was a chain smoker. he started smoking at age 12, was a chain smoker by age 20 and went thru about 12 packs a day from then on. He died at age 77 - falling from a ladder while fixing the roof of his house. My own grandfather died of cancer when he was 74, he hadn't touched a cigarette in his life.

regards.....

Thanh

12 packs a day???

1 cigarette burns in 6 minutes

12 packs of 20 = 240 cigarettes

240 cigarettes X 6 minutes=1,440 minutes

1,440 minutes = 24 hours

Sleep deprivation made him fall off the ladder

The tobacco really did kill him.

[MrSnrang]

This is Bangkok <deleted>. I find the noxious gases from buses and diesel trucks more irritating than a couple of guys lighting up.

[jaiyen]

How would you rwespond to a situation if you and your lady were in a pub or restaurant and the guy next to you kept letting rip some really foul smelling farts ?? I bet you would say something or at the least move away or leave. But if he lit up a ciggy ! Well thats OK we will tolerate that !! See how we have been conditioned to put up with the offensive and health threatening smell of fags without a fuss but if someone farts ( Which nobody has ever died from yet ! ) then you find that so much more offensive ! I think there should be certain pubs clubs and restaurants for smokers only and let the majority enjoy the fresh air, the little there is in BKK. Next we should start on the people with BO ! There are plenty of them too !

[DLock]

Please let's remember that smokers have rights too. So how about some legal 'smokers only' pubs/restaurants. Non smokers can avoid them if they wish but can't complain if they enter. Desicion to be smoking or non-smoking should be left up to the proprietor.

As a 40 year+ smoker don't blame/penalise me that I'm hooked..blame/penalise the tobacco companies and the governments that did nothing about it, except take the profit & tax, when I was young.

"What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul." - Billy Madison

[Yatsam]

In regard to smoking ban, i got fined only this week in phrom thong on tuesday for smoking outside a public park.

policeman riding round on a cycle with nothing else better to do.

I was told i could be fined 2000bt but as i only had on me 650bt he took 500bt thats one place i wont visit again as usual seems like farang are an easy target.

Actually, you can bargain for the fine. They would accept for your bargain.

[Miami Bob]

As a former bar owner, first thing that entered my mind is when the police come around to collect thier tea money for staying open late they will add a little extra for not enforcing the smoking ban. I suspect enforcement will also vary dramatically depending on what area of Thailand you are in and whether or not the high-up cops or a big official are in town at the moment.

I have never smoked so I just try to stay upwind of smokers at outdoor venues and don't stay long in indoors venues with bad ventilation.

[Maxi101]

Well, I wouldn't take it so serious.

<< nonsmoker about 8 month and still in trouble.

When governments (esp in Europe) made laws about car fumes and set standards for the environment - companies just adapted and developed cleaner cars.

High time for cigarette companies to develop a cigarette without the ill effects - maybe then I would start to suck again

If they won't do it they just gonna disappear - maybe the pressure will be soon strong enough for them to becomming honest.

Do I dream ?!?!

maxi

[sweetchariot]

This thread started as a discussion on whether the law would be enforced, but as usual has been hijacked by the tambourine bashers. There are several other threads running where you can add your incoherent ramblings on the rights or wrongs of smoking, but can we get this one back on topic please.

I personally think there will be a crackdown for a week or 2, and then it will be largely forgotten. They have already cocked it up by issuing 2 different edicts starting on 2 different dates.

And as I mentioned earlier the Pattaya Police have been quoted in the local press as saying that any establishments not adhering to the law will get a warning, and given until May 31 to comply, after which date there would be legal action against them. So I can't see much happening certainly in Pattaya for at least 3 1/2 months, by which time all this hoo-haa will be forgotten.