Smoking Prohibited all Over the World
Smoking was prohibited in almost countries, because it is consider the leading preventable cause of death and disease. Below will be listed all states where was banned tobacco use especially in public places.
For example, Turkey rolls out the next phase of a smoking ban on July 19th, spreading the prohibition to cafes, bars and restaurants as it aims to restrained the habit in a country where 22 million people, half the adult male population, smoke.
But in Cyprus smoking will be finally prohibited on January 1st, 2010, in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and workplaces, with planned heavy fines for those caught.
Ireland imposed a nationwide ban on smoking in the workplace starting with 2004. And U.S. states, including Florida and California, have had similar bans since 2003. In November 2004, Bhutan became the first country to ban tobacco sales completely.
Here are details on some other countries that have prohibited smoking in some form since 2008:
• In France, smoking in shops, offices and other public places has been banned since February 2007, but a special exemption for bars and cafes was in place until January 1, 2008.
• In Turkey a law to ban smoking in bars, cafes, restaurants and other public places was implemented in full at least 18 months after the president signed it into law.
• From February 17, 2008, Thailand extended its ban on smoking to air-conditioned bars and offices and outdoor markets.
• Germany since September 1, 2007, has prohibited smoking in all federal buildings and on public transportation. A ban on smoking in bars in Germany’s 16 federal states was challenged in court in July 2008.
• In Netherlands a smoking ban came firstly into force in cafes, bars and restaurants. However cannabis-smoking is still allowed in the marijuana-selling coffee shops.
• In Switzerland a ban on smoking in public places took effect on July 1st, 2008. However, smokers in Geneva were given a delay on September 30th after the top Swiss court affected the ban, saying that the local government had violated its powers.
• In India smoking was banned in public places on October 2nd, 2008. The ban included all offices and restaurants, will hit its estimated 240 million tobacco users.
• In Indonesia, Islamic body decided on January 25th, 2009, not to ban smoking for Muslims. However some cities in Indonesia, including Jakarta, have banned smoking in public, but rules are flouted.
• In Croatia the law on banning smoking in all public places came into effect on May 6th for to displeasure of one million smokers.
• In Bulgaria legislators voted on May 15th to ban smoking in public spaces from June 2010, ignoring protests from tobacco manufacturers and the tourist industry. Smoking is already banned in hospitals, taxis and offices.
• In Greece smoking was banned in indoor public places from July 1st.
In general banning the world’s biggest addiction or industry is an extreme measure, so extreme positive and negative responses are normal expectations. To present it more pleasantly to people and to generate more favorable results, some countries slowly implement the ban through compromises.
The government cannot altogether remove personal freedom. It can only do so much as to prevent non-smokers from suffering the ill effects of actions they did not commit. A ban on smoking in public places, or other alternative measure, might just enhance one’s awareness of the rights of other people, or improve the use of one’s freedom. But the smoking ban does seem to signal a cultural shift toward a more wholesome, modern and adaptable image.
