Smoking

[Gaybutton]

As many of you know, beginning Sunday, February 17, the smoking ban in any enclosed venue will go into effect. I have been reading comments on the various boards, some of which say that if they are in a bar, once the ban goes into effect, and they see someone smoking, they intend to complain to the management, walk out without paying, call the police, etc.

 

I have no idea whether all the bars will comply with the ban. I hope they do, and I'm a smoker. I intend to comply with the ban and I have no problem at all about stepping outside if I feel the need to smoke. As a matter of fact, I can see that as a way of getting rid of a pushy mama-san or unwanted boy. Just excuse yourself to go outside and light up. I hope every other smoker will also comply, but some people out there are awfully selfish and probably won't comply unless they are forced.

 

My feeling is that some bars flagrantly violate the laws about under-age boys. Those same bars are often raided, and yet they still employ under-age boys. It's hard for me to believe that those types of bars are going to worry about smoking rules and it's even harder for me to believe the police are going to be out there enforcing the rules.

 

There is also a rule that says the music volume cannot be louder than 90 decibels. At first, when that rule went into effect, the police really did go around checking and fining bars found not to be in compliance. That lasted about two or three months before it fizzled out. Now, many of the bars blare the music at volumes that far exceed 90 decibels and it's been quite some time since I last heard about any police effort to force compliance.

 

I can't help but wonder how it's going to be with the smoking ban. Despite being a smoker, I really do hope the ban will be rigidly enforced. I can't see any reason in the world why a smoker can't step outside. There are even some people who go into the bars and light up a cigar or a pipe, let alone cigarettes. One aspect of the ban that gives me some hope that it might actually work is the fact that this is the first ban I know of that applies primarily to the customers, rather than the bars themselves or their employees. It will be very interesting to see if the bars all put 'No Smoking' signs in place and instruct their staff to refuse to provide ashtrays and tell the customers smoking is not permitted.

[Guest jomtien]

 

I intend to comply with the ban and I have no problem at all about stepping outside if I feel the need to smoke. .... I hope every other smoker will also comply, but some people out there are awfully selfish and probably won't comply unless they are forced.

 

 

 

I've heard a number of smokers express the same thoughts. What I don't get is, I haven't seen any of them stepping outside! Or am I to assume it's NOT rude to smoke inside now but will be rude after February whatever?

 

No points will be given for those that get 'polite' only after the ban. Then, it's just following the sheep........step outside NOW and be a trendsetter!

 

 

 

[Guest stef]

No points will be given for those that get 'polite' only after the ban. Then, it's just following the sheep........step outside NOW and be a trendsetter!

 

 

It would be nice but lots of them are selfish and believe they have the right to do whatever they want, as they buy a drink and are customers there.. Which is true when you think about it. If the darn smoke wouldn't be that strong and annoying others, with a better ventilation system, it wouldn't be such a problem.

 

It would be so nice if they could start practicing right NOW

 

 

[PattayaMale]

Although not sure, I heard that actualy the King stongly backed this proposal. If true, I believe the ban will be enforced. I have avoided some a/c bars because the smoke was so unpleasant.

[Guest YardenUK]

Reading other forum posts on the very same subject it seems there are 4 distinct opinions

 

1. smokers who dont give a damn about the scientific evidence linking passive smoking with serious negative health effects and see it as an invasion of THEIR civil liberties to be told to spend 2 minutes outside in a designated smoking area;

 

2. smokers who are quite happy to go outside and in fact prefer it that way (me included), as we dont smell that bad when we get home!;

 

3. the well-meaning non-smokers who dont realise or accept the risks of passive smoking and who think having a good time for the moment is all that matters and it would be too rude of them to complain about fellow customers who smoke;

 

4. the rabid anti-smokers who want people like me dead already

 

The photos on Thai cigarette packets are not artists impressions - this the reality of life for some unlucky smokers and passive smokers. I am sure if members of the militant "I'll smoke wherever I like to" brigade had someone very close to them suffer some dreadful smoking related illness, or they were taken to a hospital ward with patients lying there suffering from a life-threatening illness, they may think again. But human nature being what it is, until it happens to us or our loved ones, we tend to ignore the brutal reality. (Hence, I still havent managed to quit........and if I am still an addict by the time of my next visit to Thailand, you will see me quietly moving outside to light up, where the often cuter door men are anyway )

 

I really do hope Thailand does manage to enforce the new law from February. They were successful with the law demanding shops selling cigarettes, closed their open displays, so I suspect this is a continuation by the Public Health Ministry (in keeping with their international obligations as signatories to the UN World Health Organisation Tobacco Control Convention), and it will be enforced properly.

[gerefan]

I propose a new thread after 17 Feb where we list those places that are obeying the law and those that choose to break the law.

 

We can then decide which we will vist and hopefully those that then suffer from a loss of revenuse will be forced to change their tune.

 

Shouldnt take more than a few days to compile.

G

[Gaybutton]

I propose a new thread after 17 Feb where we list those places that are obeying the law and those that choose to break the law.

 

Sounds like a good idea, but it won't be quite as simple as that. It will take several visits to all the bars to be sure. Even though it's high season, and a better high season than the past few years, many of the bars are still quite empty. I went to few bars over the past couple of days. The ones I visited had maybe four or five customers at a time. I think the way to tell for sure is to observe what happens if a customer lights up inside the bar. Until we see someone try it (and I don't volunteer) and we see how the bar responds, we really won't know one way or the other.

 

Also, it will be interesting to see which bars are or are not still in compliance six months from now.

[Guest luvthai]

If your in a bar that permits smoking after the law takes affect then just walk outside pull your cellphone out and report them.. After paying a couple fines they will comply.