New smoking laws
So it seems like once again, us smokers are being put in the corner, dammit!
Here are the new laws:
- It is now illegal for adults to smoke in a car where there is a child under 12 years of age.
- Fines up to a maximum of R50,000 will be handed to owners of a restaurant, pub, bar or workplace who breach the smoking laws and R500 for the individual smoker.
- Smoking is now illegal in “partially enclosed” public places such as covered patios, verandas, balconies, walkways and parking areas.
- Smoking is not permitted on premises, including private homes, used for commercial childcare activities, or for schooling or tutoring.
- The tobacco industry is no longer permitted to hold “parties” or use “viral” marketing to target young people.
- The sale of tobacco products to and by people under 18 years is prohibited, as is the sale of confectionery or toys resembling tobacco products.
- Also in the pipeline are rules to keep smoking away from entrances to buildings, and restrict it in sports stadiums, railway platforms, bus stops as well as outdoor dining areas.
Story picked up on Algoafm
Lol, if you’re a smoker, take a watch..
See you soon.
Sep 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
That’s the problem with laws…they’re great in theory but rather not so in practice? Just how are they planning to enforce some these things? It’s a lot like why Caesar couldn’t conquer Asia…too many nomads… How do you enforce rule on something that doesn’t sit still?
Very interesting is that law on smoking and advertising.
Hmmm….
Sep 2nd, 2009 at 6:00 pm
“The tobacco industry is no longer permitted to hold “parties” or use “viral” marketing to target young people”
Noooooo! No more Urban Wave parties? That sucks. I was thinking the other day, I wonder what the loopholes are around cigarette advertising. Say they decided to advertise on blogs related to lifestyle/parties/smoking (Only example I can think of is Tucker Max), would this be illegal?
Would they be able to get around it by saying they are not advertising, rather just sponsoring these party athletes such as Tucker Max? I know you probably don’t know the answers, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
Sep 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
All I am going to say is that the new smoking laws can kiss my ass!!!!!!!!
Sep 2nd, 2009 at 9:54 pm
So happy I don’t smoke.
Sep 2nd, 2009 at 11:00 pm
all I can say is its about bloody time – we are soooo behind the US and UK when it comes to this.
Sep 2nd, 2009 at 11:12 pm
My sentiments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EQ9eh31UqM
Sep 2nd, 2009 at 11:31 pm
LOL, awesome video, going to embed in the post :)
Sep 2nd, 2009 at 11:34 pm
I don’t reckon it will change a single thing in my home town’s bar, customers come in and light up straight away even though its been illegal for ages, the owner still keeps ashtrays on the bar counter. Hell I often do it myself sometimes. I’m what I like to call a social smoker, only smoke when I’m with other people and drinking alcohol so I’m not too worried about tougher restrictions. Could give it up tomorrow if I wanted! (yeah yeah I know that’s what they always say!)
Sep 3rd, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I’m glad SA Laws are tightening up around smoking. I had an ex that smoked. I HATED it, needless to say we had a few “disagreements” about it.
Sep 3rd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Hooray for tighter smoking laws. I have a severe allergy to smoke and hate having to decline invites to go out with friends simply because I know that the club / pub will be filled with smoke, leaving me battling fierce sinus infections for the next couple of weeks. Don’t see why I should spend my own money on sorting out something that somebody elses actions caused. To all smokers that think their smoke doesn’t affect anybody around them. Get over lying to yourselves.
Sep 3rd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Really don’t see why this should be such an issue. They’ve already created smoking sections in pubs and restaurants etc. but all that these whiney non-smokers make me want to do is light up another cigarette, and puff my smoke into their faces. That’s all I’m saying.
Sep 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Awesome, can’t wait to they ban smoking in clubs too!
Sep 3rd, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Ag no peeps, stop hating us smokers! hehe.
@Dan – Nooit dude, then what, must I run outside for a smoke each time I want one? =\
Sep 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 pm
haha, yip in the UK they implemented that rule back in 2007 and peeps said they it won’t be obeyed and what will people do… come the day and peeps stopped smoking in clubs and you could go home smelling normal!
Downside – in dodgy places its quite hard to get rid of the puke smell + if someone drops one the smoke won’t cover the stench!
Sep 3rd, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Fail dude :P
Sep 4th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I dont smoke, have for years but stopped beginning of this year… I been going out to pubs and clubs and smoking inside has never been an issue, now they have desginated smoking area’s for people in clubs, why should they ban it completely… I think thats unfair. People shouldnt have to run outside and smoke everytime they need a cigarette and I personally couldnt think of anything better then having a couple of drinks with a cigarette (When I did smoke) so I can understand why people would get upset over this.
The ruling of not smoking while a child under the age of 12 is in your car, im absolutely fine with that… bring in more laws to stop children smoking, less on adults smoking!
As for the parties not being allowed to sell/market/advertise cigarette brands… A BIG FCUK OFF to them, I love my URBAN WAVE parties… dont ruin it for me ;(
Sep 4th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Because peeps don’t obey those rules in clubs and just smoke anywhere… I shouldn’t have to breathe in secondary smoke!
Sep 4th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
@Dan: if your strict enough, they will obey! They have tried to do this in a club in town to see if a no smoking policy works. People smoke downstairs on the main dancefloor, everywhere else is no smoking… IF you are caught smoking else where, your box off cigarettes is taken away for you you given a warning, if caught again, throw out. I thought it worked well and the club stayed smoke free..
But I wanted to dance so went down to the main floor and breathed in all the secondary smoke, it was my choice! :)
Sep 7th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Hmm… bit harsh to stop the Urban Wave parties and similar, but I’m all for harsher laws generally. I stopped smoking just over 8 years ago, and it is probably one of the most annoying things ever to have to deal with second-hand smoke whenever you go out.
The smoking sections at most clubs are pretty much either non-existent or placed somewhere stupid – take Boo Radley’s for instance, their smoking area is in the front of the club, by the main bar area. I could just about manage a drink or two on a busy Friday night before I had to get out of there, my sinuses were screwed and I smelt like an ashtray when we left. And I can think of many other clubs and bars that are not much better!
It’s easy for smokers to bitch about us ‘whiny non-smokers’, you’ve made the choice to carry on with a pointless and stupid habit. Most of us have made the choice to quit however, and been tough enough and smart enough to actually manage to stop, and yet we still have to put up with it. It sucks!
Sep 8th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I think they should concentrate on more important things…I agree that they are protecting our health, but how about rather protecting our lives. Concentrate in the sh@ts raping, killing and stealing!
Sep 8th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
If only they would put this much effort into harsher laws for the consumption and sales of alcohol.
Sep 8th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
I concur!
Sep 9th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
What happened to that new Shebeen regulation that they wanted to enforce?
Sep 12th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Just illegalise smoking completely. It stinks, it’s filthy and smokers are animals coz they just drop their cigarette butts ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE. Why should we have to endure second hand smoke and smelling like a burnt out grass patch so they can have a little high. Smoking is just like being a crack addict. You dependant on your “FIX”
Sep 12th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
” SMOKING IS JUST AS BAD AS BOOZING IT UP ”
MORE PEOPLE DIE IN CAR ACCIDENTS FROM LIQUOR
THAN PEOPLE THAT SMOKE…….. ” WHY MUST WE INHALE POLOTION FROM FACTORIES ? WHY DO THEY NOT ALSO COMPY WITH THE SMOKING LAWS…..
WHAT ABOUT ALL THE GASSES AND FUMES WE INHALE.
IS THIS FAIR ON THE SMOKERS ? WHAT HAPPENED TO
DEMOCRACY, RESTAURANTS WILL SUFFER AND CLOSE DOWN, PEOPLE WILL LOSE JOBS ….
WHY DON’T NON SMOKERS WEAR GAS MASKS, I CAN ASURE YOU THAT THE MAJORITY THAT CONDEMS SMOKERS, ARE THE QUIET ONES THAT BOOZE IT UP AND ARE A DANGER TO OUR ROADS, AS A SMOKER IT WOULD BE FAIR TO ABOLISH ALCOHOL……
Sep 13th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Wow Alvin I’m amazed at your comments! I think I will even be more amazed if you could please provide some proof to your claim that car drunken road accidents kill more people than lung cancer…
If you have a problem with factories take it up with them, think the coal factories might be more of a health risk though…? Lets just say I would rather live next to the SAB factory in newlands and you can take the coal factory, cool?
Your comment “is this fair on smokers” is amazing, again where do you come up with this stuff? Do you even know what democracy means? How can you talk about democracy and then go and light up and pollute the air for all the people around you! Is that fair?
As for restaurants closing down please take a look firstly where 1st world countries have implemented these rules and how its actually helped restaurants because people can actually enjoy some fresh air when they visit!
How can you judge non-smokers and the ones that condem smokers and say that they are the danger on roads? Again please provide proof? I might go out on a limb and say its completely the other way round! Far more have ’social smokes’ when they are drinking!
Please Alvin come back with proper facts before making such crazy statemets, thanks!
Sep 14th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Of course… I would hate to think of the amount of people I have killed while smoking, I am so much more of a danger to the non-smoker than a drunk driver, rapist, murderer, etc… what a load of rot… I will continue to smoke whereever I feel like!
Sep 17th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
My wife and I stopped off at our favorite restaurant this week where we have been regular customers on a weekly basis for the past two or more years. The owner approached us on the enclosed outdoor patio and red faced apologized for the new anti smoking laws prohibiting us smoking in the area, and showed us the new rules.
We happened to be at this same spot some 3 – 4 weeks back, a young couple was seated at a table in the smoking patio area. Just how much booze was consumed before we arrived by the woman is debatable, her vocabulary comprised every second word as F—k, she continued putting the stuff back, where her partner was visibly becoming more and more embarrassed by her verbosity. Their meal was brought to the table, she was so gone that she couldn’t eat the meal but opted for the waiter to put the food into a taker out bag for her. He finally settled the tab and they attempted to leave, sadly tables and chairs made her attempt at reaching the exit virtually impossible to navigate, he eventually picked up the dropped food hamper and took her arm and helped her out. He guided her to her car parked alongside the restaurant patio, helped her open the car door and closed it after helping her start the car, she engaged reverse and attempted to reverse but the slow reaction of her clutch control allowed the car to roll forward which resulted in her front valance hooking the curb, which broke once she reversed. Did she get home; wipe out any innocent other motorists perhaps with kids in the other car?
I read the bulls….t about statistics of proof needed how many people die from cancer as a result of smoking compared to deaths caused by alcohol. Two of my mates have died, both from abdominal cancer, and within 3 months the cancer spread to their brains which were the cause of death, neither smoked!!!!
Our ministers, 1st world country MP’s and probably Dan consume more booze in a week than most normal people have breakfast, but as long as you are pissed and don’t get snared in a road block or have a fatal crash, where the pissed driver climbs out unscathed, they can drive home and beat the hell out of their partners, and then pass out claiming no memory of what happened last night!!!
Don’t ask about statistics of smoking related deaths, rather speak to any Metro cop and ask him or her to describe the scenes they have attended where a pissed driver has wiped out possibly his own baby or perhaps an innocent other motorists family, and compare that to a smoker that doesn’t booze and gets into a car driving home in full control to a normal evening with their family.
Two weeks ago, a mate of mine setting off on the dream of his life, a journey from Cape to Cairo on a motorbike, received the tragic news on the day of his departure that his 22 year old son was taken out by a pissed driver jumping a red light. Check the website and swallow the facts this is real http://www.xafricachallenge.com
A judge out of his scull drives through a garden wall, after huge legal costs and some 8 months later he is finally found guilty, imagine if he had been smoking at that time??? The wall could have been a family!!!
Its time the converted ex smokers and paranoid clowns take a closer look at the environmental pollution problems and take charge of the real issues affecting our health, the start would be to go back in time and reintroduce prohibition laws, focus on crime and drugs than waste time pursuing the right for smokers to smoke, especially when there are zoned areas with extraction and ozone that destroys harmful secondary smoke, ultimately with no harmful effects to the “epitome of perfection” – our wonderful sect of non-smokers or converted non-smokers.
Put this lot into your pipe and drink it, I will continue to enjoy my rights to smoking just as the piss cats enjoy their pathetic excess boozing.
Sep 17th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Col… you are 1000% right. They can stuff their laws. It is not us smokers who have left everyone hot footing it out of SA. They should concentrate on the REAL CRIMINALS, that’s what we pay them for!
Sep 17th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I love this air of misunderstanding. There is no mutual exclusivity here. Just because one thing is worse for you than another doesn’t mean you should ignore the lesser evil.
Presumably, you people want to work down from the top – so people can be burgled as much as the criminals want, as long as there are no murders. Then after murders are all sorted?
Stop the rapists? Then armed robbery. And so on?
Sure – crime is a problem in SA, but while it’s being sorted out, let’s not all die of lung cancer just because we work near an air-conditioning vent near smokers corner.
Sep 17th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
No one has come close to praising or rating the exclusivity of smoking compared to other misdemeanors. The issue here is that laws are being focused at one of the minor issues that are affecting both smokers and non smokers normal lives.
Why are there establishments such as AA and many other institutions treating the illness called alcoholism, I am not aware of any typical rehabilitation institution directed at smokers only, yes there are programs available.
I am blown by the comment that “should” we; the people wish to work from the top down, stop murderers, then rapists, then armed robberies etc??? and while this is being sorted, we should all stop smoking because smokers are killing many more by causing lung cancer?
Firstly, have you ever flown out of OR Tambo International at early dawn in winter, if you have you would have seen the dense layer of pollution on the southern horizon, have you driven out to the East along the N12 at dawn, or returned at dusk. On the highway around the Springs off-ramp, you will drive through a thick layer of smog, this is coal fire emissions, which contain a whole lot more carcogenic properties if inhaled in an hour than you would standing at the extractor vent at smokers corner for 24 hours on a continuous basis.
No – one evil does not preclude the lesser evil, but if you have ever been raped, mugged or hi-jacked, been or have a close companion in a wheel chair with her twins at the age of 12 months buried after being nailed by a drunk driver loosing his car over a side walk, you will realize that smoking is really the lowest priority on the scale. Perhaps if this was the case, you would rather ask the perpetrator to please extinguish his cigarette before scarring your life for ever, or perhaps empting his 9mm into you to make off with your cell phone. Would you prefer to be driven by a driver that is way over the legal alcohol limit or with a driver that smokes, you would probably say neither, but the chances of arriving at your destination is definitely a lot better with the smoker.
I do not condone any of the evils, but I do take serious exception that the focus is being directed at smoking only, why not do the same for alcohol on a concurrent basis?
Sep 17th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Hi Col,
Just a quick reminder that this topic is about the new smoking laws and not about all the terrible things that happen in the world. Be it from drunken drivers or pollution to murder, this things are terrible!
How ever I do take exception to your comment saying that I get blinding drunk, drive around drunk and beat my wife (or when I have a wife)… Have you been following me around lately?
Smokers are very quick to point out their right to smoke but what about our right to some fresh air? (and please don’t try change the topic to right to live or something else…)
Sep 17th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Hi Dan,
Sorry, but my messages have topped over your head; I have kept to the topic of smoking laws specifically the new laws, and am making the statement of the unfairness of such laws, when there are more serious matters at hand for our wise guys to attend to than pass laws of this nature. It is also evident that all the reformed or non smokers are in total agreement with the legislation as they are all convinced that smoking kills all and anyone inhaling second hand smoke. I have suggested that the air we breathe and the results of alcohol abuse are just as serious, and crime is probably more serious, all contributing to fatalities, the difference I have exposed is that fatalities due to smoking is a latent result affecting those that may be prone to cancer but possibly enhanced by smoking, where all the others are an immediate direct result of those misdemeanors.
I was raised in a home where both my parents smoked, and they smoked from the day I was born, I have smoked for almost 30 years, starting as a rebel at 9 years old, I am still here and have no lung or other ailments attributed to smoking, I play squash 3 times a week, still do body building and believe I am still very fit. Does smoking affect every person that dies of cancer, well you have the answers?
One thing I don’t do is booze, and as CEO of my large company, I will smoke in my office, I have an ozone generator installed, and anyone meeting with me will not have any perception that I smoke. Strange though, I can smoke all day, but somehow I don’t permit my 150 staff to booze on the job, strange, smoking all day never impairs my judgment, decision making or working attitude. So my question Mr Dan; why are they targeting smokers?
I do hope that you will get the drift of my topics, which is most definitely directed at the smoking laws.
Apologies that you take my comment of “our ministers, 1st world country MP’s and probably Dan consume booze”, I didn’t make the statement directly at you, but you are certainly reacting, have you ever driven home knowingly that you are over the blood alcohol limit, probably never? So don’t be too paranoid, at least you don’t smoke, remember the topic is new smoking laws.
Sep 17th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Talk about derailing, sheesh.
The point of this post was specifically about smoking laws, as 6000 and others have pointed out. There are also some harsher drinking laws being put into place – such as clubs and bars closing early, shabeens closing early… even talk of restaurants closing their bars early. So it’s not just smoking; smoking is just the topic currently under discussion.
Yes, alcohol is a major social problem, and yes there are drunk drivers and those who can’t handle their booze. But responsible drinkers are able to have a drink or two without killing people.
Smoking on the other hand is a completely pointless habit, and for those of us who are able to quit, there is nothing more annoying than having to still put up with smoke every time we go anyway. Smokers standing just outside shops and offices, smokers at bars, smokers forcing their kids to inhale when they drive… it’s irritating at best, and downright inconsiderate and rude – not to mention endangering – at worst.
And that’s the fun part about lung cancer and emphysema; you don’t know who it’s going to hit. My grandfather died from the latter, and he was a 40 a day man. I also have a number of friends who chain smoke, and most of them are not exactly healthy. Even if it doesn’t actually kill you, inhaling smoke into you lungs is not exactly beneficial!
So Col and the rest of you outraged smokers, get as mad as you like and try and justify your gross habit to your heart’s content. You are still being marginalized, and with any luck it will soon become impossible to smoke anywhere in public. We are not living in the naive days of the 50’s when 9 out of 10 doctors recommended camel.
Sep 18th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Ha Ha… you have just proved Col right… you ex smokers are the worst! The whole topic of conversation is supposed to be about the new smoking laws… but how can you discuss that without seeing all sides. I have been a smoker for quite a few years but since I married and had my child I have never once smoked indoors (no matter what the weather). And I have MOST DEFINITELY NOT smoked in the car while my child was in it. My argument is to rather worry about the more serious issues that SA has. Also I might like to add that I know of several people who have had cancer or just died out of the blue and guess what… none of them smoked. If you are so keen for us smokers to quit then why don’t you lobby the government to stop selling tobacco in this country…!!!
Sep 18th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Haha, Jo and Col are definitely taking this around and circles…
I agree that there are far greater issues in this country and murder/drunken driving/rape are definitely worse than smoking.
BUT as far as I know in this country it is against the law to rape/kill someone. These serious issues need to be addressed but the laws are in place already. So yes definitely more needs to be done to provide us more protection but at least the laws are in place.
These new smoking laws are simply providing us non-smokers some more protection. Now all we need is the SA Gov to sort out the more serious issues.
I’m very happy for the Gov to allow you guys to buy your tobacco as long as you smoke it where it doesn’t affect anyone around you…
Sep 18th, 2009 at 9:41 am
This issue can be debated for ever and lobbyists for smoking will have pro views and those against will only show the negative views.
My final comment here, any zoned smoking area specifically casinos, restaurants, clubs etc will all have extraction fans, which create a negative pressure in that area, hence the doors and enclosures surrounding the area. Simply the secondary smoke is sucked upwards – shopping malls are all air conditioned which creates a slight pressure increase in the mall area, again automatic doors will ensure this, but they have exhaust ducts in their ceilings that will force air inside the mall to clear through the vents and door ways when open…. So simply smoking in an enclosed smoking zone, non smokers are not affected, smoking outside any malls will allow the secondary smoke to be blown away from entry areas, and will dissipate into the air.
So Rox you were a smoker and are now one of the converted, you have raised the point that not all drinkers will abuse alcohol and will show some responsibility and “never” overdo the allowable levels.
Equally there are considerate smokers and will not puff smoke into someone’s face, smoke in non smoking areas, board rooms, hotel foyers, and designated non-smoking areas.
It was pointed out that there are degrees of “evils”; crime, rape, murder, smoking, drinking etc, but the issue here is that smokers are being targeted as being the top priority problem in our country and world. Tobacco incidentally was the prime export of Zimbabwe, which carried the countries financial stability throughout until dear ‘bob’ decided to make changes, and essentially wiped out the basic income to the country, well, where is Zim today? The new laws; we are currently in a world recession, with unemployment at an all time high, by instituting these new laws, yes more people will be forced to quit, as a result more manufacturers will close, creating a domino effect, starting at the farmers level, tobacco processing plants, and cigarette manufacturers, just adding to the already critical unemployment problems, and why…. Simply because lobbyists don’t think it is a good game of the day to inhale a cigarettes secondary smoke.
Rox you make the valid statement that pisscats, there are the few that show responsibility and will drink in moderation, but aren’t there also smokers that smoke in moderation and will show consideration, but boozing can be done anywhere, and in front of kids. In reality, how many responsible alcohol consumers are there that will go out in a group, at a party, braai, or club and after 2 beers stop and say that is the limit??? Smoking may promote cancer, but only in cases where cancer is prevalent in certain people. Alcohol abuse will definitely result in cirrhosis of the liver, kidney and other serious renal failures, but smokers are the main target, why?
A final question, if one recalls the very first taste of beer, wine and spirits, guaranteed each one at that time squirmed and forced the sip down. But due to peer and social pressures trying to become a part of the social scene, they persisted and made it the good thing to consume wine with meals, spirits or beers at sports games, and see who can put more down at a braai, are these the minority we speak of that do it in moderation? Are there separate drinking enclosures that will allow my family to go out to dinner and enjoy an evening away from obscenity and vulgarism as a result of intoxicated patrons enjoying their privilege of alcohol consumption? Big NO… but even though smokers could enjoy an evening dinner at a restaurant in and enclosed area, has now become a no-no due to the new laws.
Finally in my case, I have gone out and bought an electronic cigarette, good news, I can now “smoke” anywhere, even on a plane and it will just appear that I am sucking the end of my writing pen, no secondary smoke, no toxins, just the refill of nicotine which has no affect on my body organs health, I definitely don’t booze and I sincerely hope that when the merry men are done with smoking they will focus on alcohol, it will be a good day to see the reaction from all the anti smokers, wetting their pants trying to justify reasons to allow drinking in public places, but in my feeble attempt to retribution, I will puff my magic pen, but I assure you that if I am at any venue and find anyone there that in my opinion is overdoing the booze consumption bit, I will make it my duty to dial 10111 and make f….ing sure that they are met in their car by the men in blue, perhaps more of us should do it as we are all trying to make our environment a cleaner and greener place to live. Suck the new smoking laws, there are ways around them, but lets focus on all the evils and do our thing to make it safer and healthier environment,
‘as a concerned citizen, just as the non smokers are concerned about my well being and the effects of smoke on them, I am equally concerned about the well being of other citizens and would hate to let them end up with liver and/or kidney damage, but more so killing innocent non drinkers’, so I’ll do my bit to curb D.U.I. but we should all be responsible and do our bit – 10111.!!
Oct 5th, 2009 at 11:54 am
To Marisa … “Marisa Sep 3rd, 2009 at 1:19 pm”
You think my smoking’s bothering you? … “It’s fcuking killing me.” Stop whining, I went to the Washington DC 2 weeks ago, we’re not that far behind. Yip I agree, make the smokers go outside to smoke, hell it only takes 5-10 minutes… but stop accusing us for you the non-smokers who get a cough at the sight of a bug or cigarette. Face it, you just have bad genes…
Oct 6th, 2009 at 10:49 am
So when is alcohol being banned?
Oct 7th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
you guys make me feel so happy 2 b south african
Oct 16th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
i totally agree with the smoking laws when it comes to children and care giving places, i even so what agree with the law when it comes to restaurants BUT not when it comes to clubs,pubs and lounges..3 or 4 years ago we spent thousands cornering off smoking rooms at our expense now the laws have changed once again and we “club owners” have to foot the bill once again.we installed fans extractors fresh air intractors to accommodate our non smoking customers…so what do i do now??shut the business down creatining jobb loss for 45 staff including myself our just retrench my staff either way there is and will be job loss at my establishment..is this the way the government is fighting poverty??? and when has the government ever giving a rats ass about “its people” unless they benefit from it??? open your eyes mr president and law makers you are making it virtually impossible for the entertainment to survive business is hard enough with the drinking laws let alone this smoking bullshit
Oct 21st, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Geez, doesn’t the SA government have more important issues to solve, like CRIME. I am a smoker, but not an inconsiderate one, and this is just bull in my opinion
Oct 21st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Some really good news smokers; all the b..l s..t time money and effort that our fearless leaders have endorsed by passing the new smoking laws, absolute crap. Emperors Casino, restaurants that have enclosed patio’s, smoking in the car with under 12 year olds, well my wife and I were at the casino last week and guess what, smoking is still merrily going on in the previously enclosed areas, restaurants that had smoking enclosures still permit smoking, and amazingly my wife and I were out to breakfast on Sunday, sitting under a covered patio and happily enjoying my smoke with my last cuppa coffee with our 11 year old daughter at the table, when two men in blue in their new SUV drove past, just at the moment I had my smoke at my lips, they both looked at me and drove on.
Stop all the fuss and enjoy our rights, just as those wingers and whiners that make a scene about anything and everything, especially those converted non smokers, but amazingly these self elected law enforcers rather than hold a smoke while driving have their mobile stuck to their ears, with kids in the car, how many suburban residents burn refuse at night so they aren’t detected, pushing more toxins into the neighborhood than all smokers in the suburb puffing a smoke at the same time.
Bottom line, it all boils down to policing and as long as we have our perfect squads patrolling, smoking and doing all the other “good” things, smoking will continue. So all out there winge, whine, wet pants, moan, and carry on, so will we, keep to your portioned enclosures as we will keep to ours and if you do notice a trace of a cough, gargle with some lemon juice, perhaps it will help to sweeten you up and clear the crap out of your throats, but try a smoke, it keeps the bugs at bay and viruses, did you know those little guys are also anti-smokers.
Got to go now, coffee and a smoke, I must be in Eden.
Nov 10th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
The new smoking laws are great – infact we should welcome laws that protect the rights of those who don’t smoke! What I mean is if you smoke thats your choice (right) but why should a person who does not smoke be forced to inhale somebody elses bad habits / civil liberties?? You should be allowed to smoke and polute your lungs with tarr because its your right (for sure) as long as your rights don’t become someone elses hazzard!! And wow some of you people are so imature and selfish about the whole thing. I cannot believe a parent would brag about how they continue to sit with their child (Whom they love) and blow their smoke around and speak about what hypocrites the (men in blue are) – Dude – look back at yourself – thats hypocricy right there – maybe we wouldn’t need laws for these things if we all respected the rights and liberties of others – or is this all about (ME)???
Nov 24th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Do you know what’s really sad, we have been smoking and we didn’t complain about other people that don’t smoke. I understand it is dangerous to smoke around children and I absolutely agree with that! i saw a mother one day taking her baby into an smoking area, when I went over to ask how old the baby is, she told me 2 weeks old. I mean WTF?? That’s just wrong!
But why do we have to suffer? Most of us are older than 18 (we could just as well say we have our drinking and smoking licenses)!
I think the law is good but only in a particular matter! Kids under 18 shouldn’t be allowed in an smoking area, nether a pub nor an club ( which the previous law already stated no under 18 are allowed). Some people is don’t care or think about their children and what effect it has on them. It’s not fair to them, but now it’s not fair to us!!
The point is we should really start standing against this law! We can do this. Someone should just start doing something about it!
Nov 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I work at a resturant that is going non smoking next month. It don’t really bother me although I know it’s going to affect the business because we have a bar. When I asked if I could go outside and smoke, my boss told me no, it’s agaisnt the law, which is bullshit to me. When I asked if I could go in my car and smoke since I’m the one paying for my car, not my boss, he still told me no. I’m a waitress and sometimes peope piss me off and I like a smoke sometimes to calm me down. I don’t see why it’s agaisnt the law if I go outside to the very back of the resturant and smoke, to me that’s just stupid. I don’t think kids are babies shoud be allowed in the bar even if they’re with their parents, but I dissagee with me going outside to the very back to smoke to be illegal
Jan 23rd, 2010 at 7:23 pm
What do I do about a neighbor who is smoking up a storm…so much so my flat is starting to smell..have spoken to her..she sounds like she’s going to die when she coughs and does so all night..
Jan 23rd, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Wow, that’s awful Laura, I’m a smoker and I take your side on this one – The fact that your flat is smelling is absolutely disgusting! I hope you manage to get it sorted out!
Jan 24th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Laura, I absolutely agree with Chris M. Smoking in a flat is awful! But for the rest of you, stop discriminating against us smokers! Point is, if smoking is so bad and they want to ban it everywhere, why do they still sell it to the public?? Now all of the sudden everyone is for the law (except for smokers). Not all smokers are so bad and I believe that most men and women do have respect for the public who doesn’t smoke at all!! Give us a break; it’s a choice we made, which makes us different and unique from each other, so live with it!!
Jan 25th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Mona, you sound like someone who thinks like me. As a smoker, I have big respect to those who don’t smoke, I’m the kind of guy who asks if it’s ok to have a ciggie, for example. But when it comes to non-smokers giving us smokers a little respect, it’s only fair!