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Butt Out A Smoking Dilemma |
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Written by Sacha Fernandez
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Monday, 24 September 2007 |
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They are being turfed out literally. Slowly across the globe, specifically developed countries, smoking indoors is being outlawed. For so long, we have been a witness to those 'smoko' breaks outside corporate buildings, but more and more these are extending to restaurants and bars and clubs.
While patrons indoors benefit from more pleasant surrounds to enjoy a drink or meal, members of the public outside said establishments are subject to more than just smoke. A packed bar or pub on a weekend can literally house hundreds and if only 1 in 10 light up a cigarette, this would literaly equate to dozens now out on footpaths and pavements having a drag of their Dunhill or Winfield. Introduced into this mix though is alcohol. These smokers are coming out of pubs, restaurants and nightclubs having consumed in some cases copious amounts of alcohol. Group dynamics dictate, that there will always be a gregarious few. To complicate matters, pedestrians now to have navigate around these smokers. I just see this as a recipe for disaster. Disgruntled pedestrians, drunk smokers, traffic whizzing by, you get my drift.
Unsightly cigarette butts also adorn pavements en masse, and for those who do not smoke this can be quite off-putting not to mention quickly make an area look dishevelled and unsightly. I feel owners of establishments should seriously look to constructing specific smoker balconies, or well ventilated rooms to cater to smokers. Everyone benefits including smokers who feel they need not leave the establishment to indulge in their vice.
By not addressing the issue, proprietors are just pushing the issue outside which could create litigious precedents in certain countries. While I have never supported smoking, I feel smokers are being penalised heavily. Not only are taxes prohibitive, but an evening or night out is hampered somewhat. While smoking remains a legal activity, those who smoke should be allowed to, as with most things in life, as long as they are showing respect for those around them, that's enough for me.Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 October 2007 )
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