No smoking in parks etc, Nanny state strikes again

[Doozer]

The Irish Cancer Society is welcoming proposals by the Health Minister Dr James Reilly to introduce a ban on smoking in parks and on beaches.

The smoking ban in pubs and restaurants has been in place since 2004, but statistics show it has failed to cut the number of smokers here.

There are around a million smokers in Ireland, with the majority of those falling between the ages of 18 and 44.

Opening the Irish Heart Foundation’s Council on Stroke in Dublin on Friday, Minister Reilly said he did not want children to regard smoking as a normal practice.

Th,e Minister said it was in parks and on beaches where children were likely to observe adult behaviour. "That is where they learn what big people do."

"We don’t want children to see adults smoking in public areas," Minister Reilly said.

"Areas where we would expect lots of children to be present, as in our public parks and on our beaches, should be smoke-free zones, and I will be putting a memo to Government to that effect."

Head of advocacy with the Irish Cancer Society Cathleen O'Meara said the Minister's latest proposed ban is not just an issue of public health, it's also about denormalising smoking.

"One of t he measures that internationally is recommended… is what's called the denormalisation of smoking," Ms O'Meara said.

"The message that you are giving to young people and children is that smoking is not the norm."


Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/c...#ixzz1srG002Gg

[Curvaceous Kate]

I tend to agree with the idea, especially in parks. With regards to beaches, I think they could have 'smoking friendly' areas, as it is a wide open space that is not necessarily monopolised by families or children. They have nudist beaches, why not 'smokers' beaches? They would have to be age restricted as well, so no under 16s, but I think that would suit most people anyway.

[doodlebug]

While I am not and never have been a smoker, I believe there are greater pollutants being emitted by everyone that should be dealt with too. However this move is a cynical political attempt by a minister that is trying to deflect from other crises within his ministry. It is nothing short of an attempt to record and easy win, so when the electorate check his account he can say, look what I did.

I feel it is getting to the stage where there is nowhere left for people to enjoy a smoke, funnily enough, alcohol is probably as big a problem in this country but the same resources are not being put into stopping it. At the end of the day there are revenue implications from both drinking and smoking that need to be considered. While none of us want to see an increase in smoking related diseases, it is a fact that without the tax revenues from cigarettes the health service would have a lot less money. I say live and let live, if someone is smoking in the open air then let them, until I stop driving my car and polluting the atmosphere to a greater extent it is slightly hypocritical of me to complain to smokers.

[Lola Massages]

Kids are allowed to see violence everyday but seeing an adult lightining up a cigie on a bench, in wide open air it's a bit too much ????

[samlad]

To be honest, I'm surprised this wasn't introduced before non-smoking in a pub where adults can make the decision to go out or not based on the smoking policy.

I agree with anything that helps prevent children from having to inhale secondary smoke. My sister developed bronchitis and has asthma as a result of my mother smoking around us all the time. It was worse on long journeys in the car when she wouldn't open the windows because it was cold.

I do think smoker's beaches is a little extreme though. To be honest, I get really pissed off when I'm walking in a shopping street and someone sparks up in front of me and I have to speed up to walk around them just because they want to fill their lungs with shite. It also happened to me the other day at a bus stop (my car was at the mechanics). It was pissing it down and I was sat in the shelter, minding my own business when a woman sat next to me lit up! It was ME that had to stand in the cold and rain because of her selfish habit!

I don't entirely agree that this should be banned strictly because it's vicarious learning (learned through observation) on the part of the children. My parents smoked and that taught me not to, especially when me, my brother and sister were all nearly vomiting from secondary smoking. We all see the health risks associated with smoking, so if it's banned in public and only allowed in designated areas, then that gives people the option to breathe fresh air or breathe in polluted air.

[doodlebug]

To be honest, I'm surprised this wasn't introduced before non-smoking in a pub where adults can make the decision to go out or not based on the smoking policy.

I agree with anything that helps prevent children from having to inhale secondary smoke. My sister developed bronchitis and has asthma as a result of my mother smoking around us all the time. It was worse on long journeys in the car when she wouldn't open the windows because it was cold.

I do think smoker's beaches is a little extreme though. To be honest, I get really pissed off when I'm walking in a shopping street and someone sparks up in front of me and I have to speed up to walk around them just because they want to fill their lungs with shite. It also happened to me the other day at a bus stop (my car was at the mechanics). It was pissing it down and I was sat in the shelter, minding my own business when a woman sat next to me lit up! It was ME that had to stand in the cold and rain because of her selfish habit!

I don't entirely agree that this should be banned strictly because it's vicarious learning (learned through observation) on the part of the children. My parents smoked and that taught me not to, especially when me, my brother and sister were all nearly vomiting from secondary smoking. We all see the health risks associated with smoking, so if it's banned in public and only allowed in designated areas, then that gives people the option to breathe fresh air or breathe in polluted air.

Purely to play devils advocate, but do you not see a certain double standard here....

[samlad]

Purely to play devils advocate, but do you not see a certain double standard here....

I drive a car you mean? I agree with what you are saying, and trust me, when I have the money to buy a car that runs on fresh air, I will be the first to buy one. Anyway, if it helps any, I do drop my missus off at work first, just to keep down the carbon footprint

[doodlebug]

Would be interesting to know how many posters have been attacked by someone with alcohol taken or grown up surrounded by alcohol abuse. I feel this is a much greater and more immediate danger than smoking, yet there is no campaigns to shut pubs or stop it being sold in supermarkets etc. I don't smoke or drink but I am in favour of giving people the opportunity and not ghettoising either pastime.

[dr love]

Would be interesting to know how many posters have been attacked by someone with alcohol taken or grown up surrounded by alcohol abuse. I feel this is a much greater and more immediate danger than smoking, yet there is no campaigns to shut pubs or stop it being sold in supermarkets etc. I don't smoke or drink but I am in favour of giving people the opportunity and not ghettoising either pastime.

You are so correct there doodle .
Great post btw .: doc

[Fitzy]

I think it's a great idea bring it on I say.