The proposed legislation to ban smoking is something I agree with for the most part; however, the proposed ban needs some fine-tuning.
Firstly, there should be no smoking inside restaurants, end of discussion!
When customers are eating, it is distasteful if a person at another table is smoking.
More importantly, children are at restaurants and should never be exposed to second-hand smoke.
Secondly, if a bar, lounge or nightclub chooses to become smoke-free, that’s no problem, but that should be a choice for the owner to make.
If the bar wishes to remain open to smokers then all customers will be aware of that and they would choose whether to enter that bar or continue on to a smoke-free bar.
Thirdly, there are smoking lounges where patrons enjoy a fine cigar or two; they visit these lounges for that specific reason. That should remain as is.
Fourthly, not selling tobacco to minors and not allowing them to handle tobacco – now that is just common sense.
Now let us talk about the no smoking ban within 10 feet of a building, park, etc. This is quite silly considering the sidewalks downtown are within 10 ft of a building. Would the Government rather smokers walk in the centre of the road and cause traffic chaos in fear of a fine for smoking on the sidewalk?
What about the smokers who live in townhouses? Can they not go outside to smoke? Would you rather people leave their children unsupervised at parks and beaches to go into the road for a cigarette? Would you have to leave your drink at the bar to go outside into the road for a cigarette? Be reasonable, please.
In the outdoors at parks, backyards, beaches and the likes, smoking should be allowed.
I agree that in most enclosed buildings like offices and places with children, such as restaurants, smoking should be banned – no argument there!
On the other hand, enclosed buildings such as bars, lounges and nightclubs, which cater to adults and do not allow minors, should have smoking allowed or not, at the owner’s discretion.
Non-smoking adults would then be able to choose which establishment they visit, and similarly, smoking adults would also have the choice. That is only fair.
The proposed bill has many great aspects to ensure our children and non-smokers are protected from second-hand smoke. The Government needs to realise however, that people do smoke and they cannot be banished like criminals because of that. A fair compromise needs to be attained and I urge the Government to respect the smokers and the non-smokers equally.
N. Bodden
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