Stubbing your Butts – New Smoking Laws
Queensland - 28/03/2005
New anti-smoking laws are being introduced into Queensland that will make it illegal to smoke in pubs, clubs, food-serving outlets, certain public places and within 4 metres of the entrance to a public building.
Are these laws necessary? Do they go far enough?
For me as a non-smoker, I’d like to be able to go around my everyday duties without having to breathe in exhaled cigarette smoke. This is just a comfort thing. There are those around such as severe asthmatics who could be adversely affected by cigarette smoke. People like that should be able to feel as though they can go about their life without the possibility of a smoker putting their life at risk.
On the flipside, there are certain places where I accept that there will be a lot of cigarette smoke, such as pubs and nightclubs. If it bothered me that much, I simply wouldn’t go to these places. (I don’t go to them that often anyway!) I guess severe asthmatics would be the ones who really suffer in this case, as they wouldn’t be able to go to these places at all. From 1 July 2006, smoking will be completely banned in all licensed premises. I think this is taking things a little far. A designated non-smoking area is a good idea, but smoking is a very social thing and those who enjoy smoking need somewhere to go where they can sit with friends, have a few drinks and smoke away.
I think in many cases, it comes down to common courtesy. Smokers should respect that some people don’t like cigarette and smoke at an appropriate time and place. It should be common sense not to smoke near building entrances or in public places where there are lots of people around. The laws have unfortunately been made necessary because of the lack of common courtesy displayed by some smokers. But there are situations that the laws cannot cater for. For example, I find it irritating when I’m walking in a crowded street and the person in front of me is smoking. The smoke blows straight into my face. Are these people that desperate for a cigarette that then can’t wait until they’re not in a crowd?
When you think about it, smoking is just like passing wind. It generates a smell that is potentially unpleasant for those around. Most of us, out of common courtesy, would not pass wind in a public place with others around. So smokers, next time you’re about to light-up, ask yourself, "Would I pass wind here?" If the answer is, "No," consider holding off until you’re in a more suitable location. In other words, consider when it’s time to "stub your butt"!
Information source: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/atods/tobaccolaws
Update: I realised that by smoking as they walk along the footpath, smokers in the city are actually walking within 4 metres of each public entrance along the street. This is a good way for health inspectors to prosecute and therefore prevent smokers from causing discomfort to others walking on the footpath.
| Others' Views: Based on 21 votes |
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| Totally agree: | 
(66.7%) |
| Mostly agree: | 
(9.5%) |
| Mostly disagree: |
(4.8%) |
| Totally disagree: |
(19%) |