Police Ready To Arrest Breakers Of Smoking Ban From Feb 10

[Maxi101]

at least we know all what YOU certainly think.... thats important.

[jmdelan5]

Hey, why all the negativity? Thailand is only doing what is happening around the world. ...

many smokers will be annoyed at the ban but how many wish they had never taken up smoking to begin with, knowing the health problems and expense associated with smoking?

now here is the rational opinion !

I totally agree

here is one evidence, fresh report about serious facts based on serious studies :

Smoking Will Kill 1 Billion People

Thursday, Feb. 07, 2008

Time on-line

One billion people will die from tobacco-related causes by the end of the century if current consumption trends continue, according to a global report released Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

At a press conference held in midtown Manhattan, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose charitable organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, contributed $2 million to conduct the study, joined top WHO officials to present the findings. Among the litany of sobering statistics: 5.4 million people die each year — one every six seconds — from lung cancer, heart disease or other illness directly linked to tobacco use. Smoking killed 100 million people in the 20th century, and the yearly death toll could pass 8 million as soon as 2030 — 80% of those deaths will be in the developing world, where tobacco use is growing most rapidly. "We're on a collision course," said Dr. Douglas Bettcher, director of WHO's Tobacco Free Initiative.

If the unveiling of the report felt more like an assault, it was meant to. Built into the report's six primary policy goals was a directive to countries to warn people about the many dangers of tobacco. Another of the study's main objectives was to get countries to assess their tobacco consumption. "If you can't measure a problem, you obviously can't manage it," said Mayor Bloomberg, who banned smoking in New York City's restaurants and bars in 2003.

The 369-page WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2008, bound like a high school yearbook and bundled with a "cigarette pack" of colored markers, called on governments to adhere to six tobacco control policies it calls MPOWER: monitor tobacco use; protect people from secondhand smoke; offer help to people who want to quit; warn about the risks of smoking; enforce bans on cigarette advertising; and raise tobacco taxes. The report also breaks down tobacco consumption and prevention efforts country by country. To date, it is the most comprehensive study of its kind at a global level, said WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan.

The collected data should equip countries around the world to begin implementing anti-tobacco policies, Chan says, including smoking bans, aggressive anti-tobacco campaigns and massive tobacco tax hikes. According to the report, nearly two thirds of the world's smokers live in 10 countries — China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the U.S., Brazil, Germany, Russia, and Turkey. China alone accounts for nearly 30% of all smokers worldwide. Currently, only 5% of the world's population lives in countries — predominately in Western Europe — that have any antismoking policies in place. "These are straightforward and common sense measures within the reach of every country, regardless of income level," said Chan.

According to the study, the most effective tactic globally has been simply to raise prices. "Increasing taxes is the best way to decrease consumption," Bettcher said, pointing to the direct relationship between a rise in excise tax rates and a fall in cigarette purchases in South Africa between 1990 and 2006. Making tobacco prohibitively expensive, said Bettcher, will decrease consumption, especially among those who can least afford to smoke. Lower income people smoke significantly more than the wealthy, and spend a much higher proportion of their income on tobacco — 20% of the most impoverished households in Mexico spend as much as 11% of their household income on tobacco — mostly due to the tobacco industry's objective to get people addicted to nicotine, according to the study.

Another vulnerable group: women. Though women still smoke at just one quarter the rate of men, tobacco advertisers are increasingly targeting this largely untapped market. Though parts of Europe have enacted some of the most aggressive anti-tobacco policies in the world, in recent decades the rates of smoking between men and women have begun evening out — even as rates decrease among European men, they are increasing among women. Among adolescents in European Union member nations, girls may now be even more likely to smoke than boys. Globally, Chan said, "the rise of tobacco use among girls and young women is among the most ominous trends."

As with virtually all public-health problems, a major hurdle to reducing smoking, the study said, is lack of public education. People are not fully aware of the hazards of smoking, and it's a weakness that the tobacco industry is quick to exploit, Bettcher said. A recent Chinese study found that "only 25% of the Chinese population knew tobacco was bad for their health," he explained. Warnings should be bolder and scarier, said Bloomberg. Other countries put skull and crossbones symbols or photographs of blackened lungs on their cigarette packs, he said, and the U.S should follow suit: "The U.S. government isn't doing enough."

Asked whether he would back a federal ban on smoking in the workplace or public spaces, Bloomberg said he would, but added, "I don't think the federal government should prohibit the manufacture or sale of cigarettes," but that combatting tobacco should mean diminishing the demand.

Once a smoker himself, Bloomberg said he was able to quit only when he truly understood the consequences. "As I became more mature and started thinking, 'Do I want to live or not?' it was an easy decision." For those who want to smoke, however, he feels it should be their right, so long as they aren't harming others. "I happen to agree with those who think you have a right to kill yourself," he said.

Smoking is bad for all. Those wishing to quit, real Allen Carr's book "Easy Way". You can do it. Then maybe we can attack that bus problem we have in Bangkok. Can you believe all that soot? I also think we're getting a bit personal on this thread. Lighten up Francis. jd

[AndyCanfield]

The reason it has not hurt Los Angeles is that it is the people in Los Angeles who sit in the bars. Thais will continue to sit in the bars. Farang tourists will go to Cambodia. This will hurt Patpong and Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. Anyone who thiinks that bars will ASK to have their customers harassed is an idiot.

[mogoso]

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!

Here Here

I don't give a rats behind if anyone smokes, its their life and health and if they care to shorten it, more power to them. But I personally cannot abide the filthy habit and care not to indulge 2nd handily. Of course at my age I don't frequent bars anymore. I'm quite content outside of Chiang Mai listening to Cream singing strange brew eating som tam and gulping down a beer Chang in the comfort of my own home to go where some odious smoker who believes the world is his ashtray holds sway.

I do remember those many years past when I was one of the odious masses, sitting in a jungle not so far away, field stripping my butts and burying the filters. But upon discharge in 1969 I gave up tobacco cigarettes, red meat and coffee and except for backsliding on coffee on the rare occasion to be polite, when in Colombia, I haven't missed them at all.

For a few years I had to spend evening after evening in smoked filled nightclubs not by choice but by profession and absolutely loathed it. Now if I'm around a smoker for a few minutes and its a few minutes too long.

So smoke while your driving, smoke while your home, smoke around your smoking friends, please just don't smoke around me.

[mogoso]

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)!

Blamed the lady next to you! very good

[Crash999]

I have to agree with you. Smoking turns you into a person who smells (and slowly but quietly dies of cancer).

But alcohol turns people into...... well look around at what you saw on your last night out...

Hot babes? A miraculous transformation indeed!!!

[Arkady]

I think this is wonderful news. I can't think of anything more selfish than smokers forcing others to inhale their foul toxic fumes and stinking up every one's clothes and hair. I am optimistic that it will be enforced eventually. The manager of a bar I frequently visit said that she and her staff were very happy about the law and would indeed ask customers not to smoke. She smokes herself but always outside the bar where there are seats that customers can use to go out for a smoke. I think it will eventually be enforced like the ban on smoking in restaurants which took a while to work and initally faced a lot of opposition from selfish people and restaurant owners who were afraid of losing business. But that seems now universally accepted. Money is what counts in Thailand and the experience from other countries is that bar owners don't suffer from smoking bans, once people get used to it. Non-smokers will probably spend more in bars, if they can enjoy their drinks free from asphixiation by smokers.

[stattointhailand]

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 !

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.

Probably Move Away or leave, the same as if anyone was doing something else that I personally did not like.

I think there should be certain pubs clubs and restaurants for smokers only and let the majority enjoy the fresh air,

Great idea ........ pubs for smokers and pubs for non smokers .......I know which ones will go out of business first, and it won't be the smokers pub.

[brucegoniners]

Good, I hope they do arrest the rule breakers. It's about time that non smokers were able to go to bars and pubs without the irritation of smoke. In the states people smoke outside and everyone is happy. Get used to it, it's a new world folks.

[sweetchariot]

I think this is wonderful news. I can't think of anything more selfish than smokers forcing others to inhale their foul toxic fumes and stinking up every one's clothes and hair. I am optimistic that it will be enforced eventually. The manager of a bar I frequently visit said that she and her staff were very happy about the law and would indeed ask customers not to smoke. She smokes herself but always outside the bar where there are seats that customers can use to go out for a smoke. I think it will eventually be enforced like the ban on smoking in restaurants which took a while to work and initally faced a lot of opposition from selfish people and restaurant owners who were afraid of losing business. But that seems now universally accepted. Money is what counts in Thailand and the experience from other countries is that bar owners don't suffer from smoking bans, once people get used to it. Non-smokers will probably spend more in bars, if they can enjoy their drinks free from asphixiation by smokers.

If universally means by about 10%, then yeah it is universally accepted.

[skettios]

Hey, why all the negativity? Thailand is only doing what is happening around the world. Sure there will be tea money paid but eventually the ban will take hold. Smoking is a health issue and the government is trying to do something about it. Why treat it as if it is some useless government step when it is happening everywhere. Like one poster stated, it has not hurt the clubs, restaurants and bars in Los Angeles. Areas outside will be set up to let the smokers puff away. Eventually smoking will become less popular. That's how habits get changed. Sure it will be a bumpy road in the beginning but it will eventually take hold and just maybe a whole generation of young city dwellers will not take up smoking if it is banned in the very places they think it is "kool" to smoke. In my younger days I too when thru a phase of thinking it the "in" thing to do. I am sure glad that phase did not last. I am sure many smokers will be annoyed at the ban but how many wish they had never taken up smoking to begin with, knowing the health problems and expense associated with smoking?

Agreed, There's no reason to be negative, this is the way the wind is blowing. I love smoking, but it's one of the worst things you can do to yourself, and it's really annoying to others as well. I quit, begrudgingly, but I have to say, almost 2 years smoke free, and I feel a lot better. No more upper respiratory infections, coughing, or sore throats, and I don't have to wash my clothes as much. I'm sorry for you smokers that just don't get it, but you gotta give it up or it's going to kill you, and drain your wallet along the way.

[toret]

Tourettes syndrome eh? Funny one. Now maybe we can get back to discussing case and not person?

[Maigo6]

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

So would I if the Bus was in the restaurant whilst I was eating.

[skettios]

Great... its always the smokers who get picked on

We have a right to smoke if we want... We pay money to go out and if I drink I need a smoke... OK in a restaurant I agree. I myself prefer not to eat in smoke... but in a bar or pub... why not. or split up the pub (if large enough) like CM2 make it half smokers half non...

I thought closing at 2 was bad enough. BTW can anyone explain why BKK closes at 2, but Pattaya stays open till 4? Are these two different countries in one? I thought a law applied to the WHOLE country.

Another case of TIT...

Whine Whine Whine, read the thread... another case of TIE, this is everywhere...

There is no right to smoke, just like there is no right for me to take a gun and murder everyone that blows smoke at me while I'm walking down the street.

[koto]

just another excuse for police to earn ' Tea Money '

Thank you Buddha, Thank you God, If you want to kill yourself, do it in your own space, Don't take your Toxic life and force us people with a brain to inhale your problem, get a life and quit killing ours, Keep your Butts to yourself, quit flicking your Toxic filters into our Beaches, Streets, Storm Drains, Country Side, Please wake up and quit, it's a no brainer, use yours, Tea money? You must be a smoker

Koto, Keeper of the ocean

[flyfrog]

Yea yea,. ,believe it when i see it,. heres a challenge,does anyone know anyone, customer or business owner that has been fined for the current no smoking ban,, imposed years ago ?

Yes, I know one case 2 years ago, they came in a certain restaurant in Pattyaya and checked if anybody was smoking, nobody was smoking but there were ash treys on each table (9) so they charged the owner for each ash trey 1000 baht, 9000 baht in total. He said:"Hey nobody here is smoking" Answer:"If nobody smokes here, why you need ash treys for?"

So another scam in the Land of Smiles

Frog

[notime]

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)

I have to agree with you. Smoking turns you into a person who smells (and slowly but quietly dies of cancer).

But alcohol turns people into...... well look around at what you saw on your last night out...

Hey Smokers, when will you realise that you are on the WRONG side of the equasion? It's true all drugs have consequences and health risks. But it's also true that some are worse than others. Smoking is the WORST drug by the number of people it kills. Of course heavy drinking is bad. But a drink or two a day has been even proven to have positive medical consequences. This cannot be said about the cigaretes.

Even a half of the cigarete you smoke today may be just the half that will start the cancer that is going to finish you up. Think about it when you smoke. Admit that you are just pathetic adicts not being able to break the habit that you very well know is BLOODY BAD for you and in need of public assistence to help you quit. Don't fool yourselves and even better don't try to fool non-smokers and try to convince them to accept breathing in your smoke or "stay home or go somewhere else". There is Nowhere Else and we want to party too .. and we don't want to smell. Is this our right or not?

Last but not least, I wish somebody one day calculates how much of greenhouse gases is caused by smokers. I bet it would not be an insignificant amount giving into account how many cigaretes one smoker can go through every day. How many cigaretes are consumed worldwide every day? And what for???? We need electrical energy and transportation to keep the world go round but we don't need SMOKING.

[ace]

The new move follows the Ministry’s announcement in the government gazette on December 28, amending the Non-smokers’ Health Protection Act of 1992. Pubs, bars, and all type of markets, i.e., for fresh food, clothing and general goods, and with or without air conditioning would become non-smoking environments on February 11.

Any operator failing to comply with this announcement is subject to a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, and any person who smokes in a non-smoking area will be subject to a fine not exceeding 2,000 baht.

..................

Wannaporn said that air conditioned pubs, bars and restaurants must be 100 percent non-smoking areas, but an outside area for smokers is permitted if there is a free flow of air. Fresh markets and non air-conditioned restaurants can provide a smoking corner if it is separate from other diners and does not allow smoke into the main area.

So which is it? Air-conditioned or all?

[twschw]

Geez! Hey non smokers! You've won. You have your law. Relax already. Now it's up to the BIB to enforce it. Jai yen yen.

[Samuian]

Not only trucks and buses, well... check this out...does anyone have the e-mail address of the Health Ministry?

it is a ferry leaving Don Sak Pier for Ko Samui, on a daily base, several times a day and they ALL are this bad....what are these hypocrites all about, I wonder?

These fumes ARE highly toxic .... malignant!

Where are the Smoking-ban hypocrite's here?

or is it all ONLY about smoke free entertainment, eating and drinking? Looks like....

Edited February 9, 2008 by Samuian

[wcr]

I think this is all great news indeed. Now what we need is a telephone hotline number that we call call in to report these offending venues. Nothing bothers me more than when I am in a restaurant with my family and half the people are smoking like a 16 year old Korean. I have complained to the restaurant management but they couldn't care less. If I could then call in to report them and it was actually followed up by a 20,000thb fine then I think they would start removing the ash trays from the tables and stop the smokers from lighting up. Until they get fined, good luck getting them to comply. It is the responsibility of the establishment to enforce these rules. As we all know, the customers will try and get away with whatever they can.

If it wasn't for the fact that if you lit up a cig in say an airport or shopping mall that security was straight on you to put it out, folks would still be smoking in these places as well. Nothing will change until the venues themselves are fined. Imagine if the police walked into a restaurant or bar and started fining the establishment 20,000thb for each cig they found in the ash trays. Look how much money the police could make in a single night out in Pattaya.

I definitely think a hotline number is required or nothing will ever get done. The law has been on the books for years banning smoking in restaurants but they all still have ash trays on the tables. This means that the restaurant has no idea or motivation to enforce the rules. I hope this does change. Smokers should be forced to sit in small little boxes to smoke so they can enjoy all the smoke and not waste any. With the price of cigs what it is, why would they want to waste any?

I understand that Thailand has bigger issue to tackle but I sure hope this one does get some attention and smoking can be eradicated from public places where non-smokers have no choice but to breath in the air that is around them. If you chose to smoke then confine it to your own lungs!

I agree full heartedly. Give us a hotline to call and report the smoker and establishment. I'll be the first to use it. Some of you smokers are ignorant <deleted> and you just don't give a dam_n that someone next to your table is eating. You still light up and puff your stinking foul smoke over me. Give us a number please to report these uncaring and inconsiderate people.

[fsuthai]

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

"chinadarling", I agree with you so totally!!! And Thanh, I appreciate your attitude and compassion. I've been addicted to nicotine for 53+ years and always try to be considerate about any 'second hand' smoke upsetting others. I cough in the mornings and sometimes a bit before bedtime but it's already too late (now 70) for me to go through the sheer agony of trying to quit completely. I don't go to bars or restaurants often anymore...usually boring and uncomfortable...but I always comply with any 'No Smoking' provisions. If a public establishment doesn't have a smoking area and didn't post that info prior to my being seated, I leave, and won't return.

However, some of you no-smoking-fetishers can be real asses. When I'm in a fresh air venue where smoking isn't prohibited and you walk by and make a nasty comment about my smoking, I'll be happy to put out my cigarette---and tell you where you can shove the butt! It's a filthy habit, right...but the key word there is "habit". My dad smoked until he was 92 and then the last couple of weeks before he died at 94 (of a non-smoking illness). I have no desire to hang around that long, especially with 'Amerika' turning into a re-make of Nazi Germany, but I don't think the Government, any government, should be telling us what we can or cannot put into our bodies so long as we are causing no direct harm to others.

Peace

P.S. What does the oft repeated "L O L" stand for? Also, is there a brief tutorial on how to use all of the posting features here??? hope this works...

[fsuthai]

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.

And why don't you & Zpete just go ahead and drink yourselves to death? Please quit hanging around my cigarette smoke. You're beginning to sound like one of those annoying "born again" evangelicals!

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

I see that this topic is polarizing people into two main camps, for or against smoking in public places. Enforcement of the rules is another issue, that will have it's own life as per the norm here in Thailand. But eventually it will be enforced close to 100%.

The "right" of anyone smoking in public seems to me to be a very straight forward issue to decide on, if you know about the concept of Pareto efficiency (or optimality) from economics. Wikipedia is as always ready to enlighten you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_efficiency

It basically says that, as long as what you choose to do does not (in any significant way, to be practical) harm others, go right ahead and do it. If it does harm or detract from others' enjoyment, perhaps a bit of commen sense and respect for others would be appropriate.

And please no "get a life" comments!

To the smokers, I do respect that you want to smoke, I did myself, but did it in a way trying to minimise the impact on other people. I quit from 40 a day to zero (cold turkey I believe is the expression, must check Wiki to see how that came about) almost 5 years ago with only good results. My doctor helped by giving me some stuff that supposedly will block certain neuroreceptors that are involved in giving the good feeling with smoking. Placebo or not, I don't know, but it worked like a dream, no adverse effects.

Good luck if you want to quit, you can do it! If you want to smoke, go ahead, just show some decency and consideration, and all will be well in the world.

[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.

And why don't you & Zpete just go ahead and drink yourselves to death? Please quit hanging around my cigarette smoke. You're beginning to sound like one of those annoying "born again" evangelicals!

Who said I drink? All I'm asking is that you keep your smoke out of the air I am forced to breath. If it sounds "preachy" maybe it's because some of your dumb <deleted> still don't understand the point. If I walk into a restaurant and there are people smoking, I don't have to sit down and eat. But if I walk in and no one is smoking, I sit down and order food. Then, halfway through my meal you come in, sit down next to me and light up. Now, what are my choices? Either I must put up with your foul smell or I have to abandon my meal and go elsewhere. I'm not telling you NOT to smoke. hel_l, the sooner you die the better. I'm just asking that you don't impose that same early death sentence on me and my family.

[freitag1]

Awesome! Most smokers don't care about the people around them. Hope they enforce this law. I guess it will at least be enforced in some places...

[Valehree]

Hey, why all the negativity? Thailand is only doing what is happening around the world. Sure there will be tea money paid but eventually the ban will take hold. Smoking is a health issue and the government is trying to do something about it. Why treat it as if it is some useless government step when it is happening everywhere. Like one poster stated, it has not hurt the clubs, restaurants and bars in Los Angeles. Areas outside will be set up to let the smokers puff away. Eventually smoking will become less popular. That's how habits get changed. Sure it will be a bumpy road in the beginning but it will eventually take hold and just maybe a whole generation of young city dwellers will not take up smoking if it is banned in the very places they think it is "kool" to smoke. In my younger days I too when thru a phase of thinking it the "in" thing to do. I am sure glad that phase did not last. I am sure many smokers will be annoyed at the ban but how many wish they had never taken up smoking to begin with, knowing the health problems and expense associated with smoking?

Your do-gooder comments are missing the point: Thai policemen have MUCH better to do with their days than arresting smokers, don't you think? But this will be easy 'tea money' for them, much easier than say arresting criminals, and so become their n°1 priority. Just another waste of already scare public money. THAT is the point, not the dispute over whether it's healthy or not to smoke. It's not. Smokers are aware of the later you know, yet it's their choice. California might be a state rich enough to pay policemen to chase smokers (or enforce beach curfew as i remember), thailand just can't afford it. Cheers.

[Thanh-BKK]

I still don't get it.

The whole thing in fact. This law has a single objective: Harass a certain part of the population and generate income for the B.I.B. because if HEALTH was a concern, 90% of Bangkok's buses, trucks and other Diesel vehicles had to be taken off the roads immediately FIRST before anyone could turn against the smokers.

For the non-smokers to protect themselves, nothing easier - stay at home and watch Animal Planet instead of going to those filth-holes called "bars" and "pubs" that annoy you so much. If you feel then need to poison yourself the other way go to 7-Eleven and get your whiskey or beer there.

Alcohol vs. cigarettes, that discussion is exactly like "my way to kill myself is healthier than your way to kill yourself". How many smokers have to stay with you in one room for how long for YOU to get any cancer? There are TONS of studies being made with mixed results, but NONE YET found ANY evidence that second-hand smoke caused cancer in ANY person. Sure the clothes smell - see above, stay at home or get over it and wash them. Alcohol in turn kills quickly - a single drunk truck driver has virtually unlimited potential to be a mass murderer - run a bus off the road and you kill 50 people with one go, cool what? But of course alcohol is not dangerous, it's the cigarettes only.

Someone quoted one of my posts, cleverly omitting the signature - and then mentioning "you smokers..." I stated clearly in the (omitted!) signature, and repeat it here: I DO NOT SMOKE!! Never did and never will. But i can't stand the constant smoker-bashing, i am simply fed up with anti-smoker propaganda.

Plus, to all you anti-smokers, if tomorrow suddenly every smoker quits, the government (any government because cigarettes are about the highest taxed products available), what do you think how the government would fill the HUGE income hole? Some other taxes will have to rise significantly. And those are taxes hitting YOU TOO.

I personally welcome ANY smoker to be near me and light up, but keep that bottle closed, i have Pepsi for you.

Best regards......

Thanh

[bloody tiger]

They should start by banning smoking at all of thailands snowski resorts

[MeaMaximaCulpa]

From The Mother of All Nerds, to all you wannabe nerds out there, here is some more fun reading on the topic: Google "externalities of smoking", lots of interesting reading (another few hours down the black hole of internet surfing, but what the heck...)

But why calling each other names, can't we just discuss this in a proper way, and enjoy the journey? Try to listen to what other people say, and perhaps even learn something? OK, I guess I am asking too much now...

I sat last night with some friends having dinner, outside next to the water in a beach restaurant, and one person smoked a big Cuban cigar. The smell was great, and not a bother since we were outside, and a slight breeze just gave us a mere hint of the nice aroma. Indoors it would have been too much and offensive. So let us keep a bit of perspective, reason and practicality.

Good evening!