Smoking In Public Banned

Smokers in Italy are being forced to curb their habit as a ban on lighting up in public places comes into force today.

Bars, restaurants, discotheques and offices are all out of bounds for people with lit cigarettes, unless they have special ventilated smoking rooms.


Plainclothes police officers are expected to patrol the country's 240,000 eating and drinking establishments on the look out for any of Italy's 14 million smokers breaking the rules.

Anyone who defies the new law will face fines of up to £200. Offending landlords will have to pay up to £1,500.

The law had been due to come into force on January 1 but Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia granted a delay so New Year's Eve and Epiphany revellers did not have their parties spoiled.

Mr Sirchia, who is also a doctor, has insisted the law will protect public health. He said: "It's not inspired by the idea of prohibition. It's to protect against passive smoking.

"Eighty-seven percent of lung tumours are caused by cigarettes."

But Italian defence minister Antonio Martino is against the ban. He told the newspaper Corriere della Sera: "I've been smoking since age 18. It's my sacred right."

Only 5% of bar and restaurant owners have introduced dedicated smoking rooms.

The legislation in Italy follows similar bans imposed last year in Ireland and Norway.

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...280452,00.html

hahahaha ow well
i always knew it was bad to smoke

a few of u may be outraged by this
but im really happy about it

As a smoker, I'd be really happy to see this come into force in the UK. It is impossible* to stop smoking when each time one socialises, there is the smell and sight of others enjoying a cigarette. Of course I'm looking at this from a selfish point of view, there are the health issues of all you pesky non-smokers to consider too.

It surely is only a matter of time now. I know only of a handful of smokers who do not want to quit so this wouldn't meet with much opposition. Apart from maybe the FOREST people who believe that a person's civil rights extend to being detrimental to other folk's health and comfort.



*For me

I live in Austin Texas and if your establishment makes more than 30% of its' revenue from non alchohol sales, than you cant smoke inside. This sucks b/c alot of the bars that are attached to restuarants are shutting down just because the restaurant makes so much money. Other bars that are resaurants by day and bars by night are being screwed too.

good then i can go out and not get smoke in my face just car/lorry fumes and loads more crap

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Originally Posted by Voetsek

just car/lorry fumes and loads more crap

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Not much chance of anything getting done about that. :( The big petrol companies 'run' the world. Also too much tax involved.

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Originally Posted by Skizo

I live in Austin Texas and if your establishment makes more than 30% of its' revenue from non alchohol sales, than you cant smoke inside. This sucks b/c alot of the bars that are attached to restuarants are shutting down just because the restaurant makes so much money. Other bars that are resaurants by day and bars by night are being screwed too.

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another example of the austin city council trying to put an end to live music here....

Smoking in office buildings have been in America for over a decade.

There are special areas in restaurants for smoking.

I would personally be happy if it was banned outright.

I would support smokes for only current addicted smokers and then squeeze them too until it is eliminated as public nuisance.

I know this would drive it underground but so be it.

Imagine the dramatic reduction.

As far as rights, it does seem a little weird to not allow smoking in bars and pool halls though. :(

I see the logic in the banning as it infringes on others with sidestream smoke.

In a banned place I feel I have the right punch someone in mouth for lighting up near me. :angry:

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Originally Posted by Busyman

I feel I have the right punch someone in mouth for lighting up near me. :angry:

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Hope you dont have the same reaction to anyone who farts in your presence. :)

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Originally Posted by bigboab

Hope you dont have the same reaction to anyone who farts in your presence. :)

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Well, sidestream smoke has been proven to be harmful to my health.

A fart isn't unless.....there is a fire nearby or it's one of those wet methane farts. :sick: