NO SMOKING in night venues coming soon BRAVO!

Smoking ban due soon - The Nation - 7th September 2007

Smoking will soon be banned in night entertainment venues, once a new Health Ministry regulation takes effect, a seminar in Bangkok was told yesterday. But Dr Seri Hongyok, a deputy head of the Department of Disease Control, said patrons of karaoke bars, pubs, nightclubs and cafes would still be allowed to smoke in designated areas.

"Smoking will be barred only in air-conditioned areas or in other public places where non-smokers are." The department would enforce a regulation under which violators would face fines up to Bt20,000.

He said there were now 10 countries that impose no-smoking rules in night entertainment venues.

Seri said the rule was needed to cope with new marketing strategies employed by tobacco companies to lure more young people to smoke, as there were about 200,000 new smokers every year.

A study by the department found the number of woman smokers aged 15-24 had risen to third place on a top-10 ranking of smokers in Thailand, he said.

The number of night entertainment venues, meanwhile, has risen to 6,853 last year from 5,249 in 2005.

Songsak Watthanaphoon, owner of a popular venue in Chiang Mai, said his premises imposed a ban on smoking three years ago and had won praise from customers with young friends or children. Smoking customers had suffered minimally, he said.

The Nation

Smoking ban due soon - The Nation - 7th September 2007

Smoking will soon be banned in night entertainment venues, once a new Health Ministry regulation takes effect, a seminar in Bangkok was told yesterday. But Dr Seri Hongyok, a deputy head of the Department of Disease Control, said patrons of karaoke bars, pubs, nightclubs and cafes would still be allowed to smoke in designated areas.

"Smoking will be barred only in air-conditioned areas or in other public places where non-smokers are." The department would enforce a regulation under which violators would face fines up to Bt20,000.

He said there were now 10 countries that impose no-smoking rules in night entertainment venues.

Seri said the rule was needed to cope with new marketing strategies employed by tobacco companies to lure more young people to smoke, as there were about 200,000 new smokers every year.

A study by the department found the number of woman smokers aged 15-24 had risen to third place on a top-10 ranking of smokers in Thailand, he said.

The number of night entertainment venues, meanwhile, has risen to 6,853 last year from 5,249 in 2005.

Songsak Watthanaphoon, owner of a popular venue in Chiang Mai, said his premises imposed a ban on smoking three years ago and had won praise from customers with young friends or children. Smoking customers had suffered minimally, he said.

The Nation



Back are we wowpow,

Don't be so naive.

It will just become another selective escapade to extract money from those[ they feel] are not paying enough!!

Do you, as a sensible human being, believe all you read!

I have no objection if this is your "cut and paste" you abandon common sense in the headline!

I think they should ban musclemen, and charge a fine to every farang looking at them!,

q
goood!!!

G'night

[Wesley]

However, I would not presume to tell someone else how to live their personal life, or public one for that matter. It will only hurt business for bars that are already hurting. Keep it up and the slow season will be year round. Seems they are looking for any reason to rid Thailand of any tourist at all especially those who come for the sex industry and those who like to find a cool place to party. Soon it will be like England and civil rights and life as they once knew it will be a fond memory.

Wesley

[rincondog]

Wesley your message sounds like the tobacco lobby spiel. It will be bad for business, what a crock. It will not affect businesses at all. People will still go to the bars because thats where the boys are. You are correct if people want to put smoke into their lungs that is their business, however, they don't have a right to put smoke in my lungs because I have to breathe the air in the confined space. There has been no decrease in business in California where there has been a smoking ban in bars for several years now. It has probably increased business since many non-smokers wouldn't go to bars because of the smoke. Yeah, the smokers are slightly inconvenienced since they must go outside or to an outside patio to smoke. Smokers are more inconvenienced when they have to go through chemotherapy for lung cancer.

[Wesley]

As a non-smoker, I dislike the smoke as much as anyone, however I tend to be more in favor or personal liberties than my discomfort with the smoke. I guess you can put on the holier than thou attitude about it if you like but, I tend to be More likely to let people enjoy life even if it leads to their death. I have on more than one occasion left a restaurant rater than make a scene about someone Else's smoke. I tend to try to find a place that is non-smoking or has a non-smoking area to eat . However, I have seen when people drink they smoke as well, at least in Asia most of them do and I don;t see any need of forcing my way of life on them More than we already have. I just wash my clothes and hair and go to bed and forget that the whole place was a smoke out.


Wesley

As a non-smoker, I dislike the smoke as much as anyone, however I tend to be more in favor or personal liberties than my discomfort with the smoke. I guess you can put on the holier than thou attitude about it if you like but, I tend to be More likely to let people enjoy life even if it leads to their death. I have on more than one occasion left a restaurant rater than make a scene about someone Else's smoke. I tend to try to find a place that is non-smoking or has a non-smoking area to eat . However, I have seen when people drink they smoke as well, at least in Asia most of them do and I don;t see any need of forcing my way of life on them More than we already have. I just wash my clothes and hair and go to bed and forget that the whole place was a smoke out.


Wesley


As well Wes,

It then tends to be, where does it all end.

Once this is forced through let's move on to the next piece of legislation.

They are trying now to force every UK National AND visitor to have their DNA recorded on a database or be denied entry to the UK.

The UK per capita, has the biggest DNA base in the World already and more security/big brother camera systems, than any other Country, in the World.

Opponents are saying, that the only people who will not object to having their DNA kept on a database, will be decent law biding citizens, and the crooks and hoods will go out of their way and try everything to circumnavigate the system, so it will just become a massive drain on public money and resources and not actually help reduce terrorism or cut crime significantly.

We are all being tracked constantly already through our credit cards and purchases, it never seems to end.

I personally will go on a database, I know people who will find it an infringement.

Finally, back on topic. If legislation is passed on smoking in Thailand, as usual, it will not be for the public benefit.

It will be so the "boys in brown" have another way of extracting money through fines, while they themselves, as I have said before, sit and smoke in restaurants and air conditioned areas themselves!

That is the main point I was getting at.

It WILL hurt some bars.

Smokers also tend to drink more - see NHS stats.

And as everyone says LOS is so "quiet" any loss of custom hurts.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1609/8571041/16318291/276738631.jpg

The actual results of businesses in countries where smoking has been made illegal is that there is an initial dip and then volumes return to those previously enjoyed within six months or so. The decline in numbers is in the Hospitals.

Cynics may think it will never happen in Thailand but they didn't think it would be banned in restaurants and it was with considerable success. Now many restaurants have no smoking inside and outside for the addicts.

The 'personal liberty' card is totally irrelevant and illogical here. I have no objection to people smoking themselves to death. What I do object to is their forcing their noxious fumes on other customers and staff. Similarly, I have no objection to anyone blowing themselves up but I do have to suicide bombers exploding in a crowded place.

[Marsilius]

Quote from Kevin Quill, above:

"They are trying now to force every UK National AND visitor to have their DNA recorded on a database or be denied entry to the UK."

Maybe this story got to Thailand in a jumbled form, Kevin?

A single judge made the suggestion and a government minister has since said that, while it is an interesting idea, the vast resources needed to carry it out are unavailable and so ruled it out.

Don't anyone take wowpow too seriously. As well as being Sawatdee's chief missaligned cut and paster, he is ALWAYS coming up with dire "the law is coming down" posts that hardly ever do in fact. They are gonna get rid of cellphones in cars (every taxi i see now has TVs in his car), restrict alchohol, stop smoking, make bars close earlier, stop coyote dancing, on and on with his news about the demise of sinful acts around the world. He just reads how dull the west is and why and hopes they'll ruin this place as well. It's deathly boring, dear. Will he self exile himself back to the FART STOP again please where that kind of posting is pervasive. Leave us alone!

Invalid Session. Please resubmit the form.

It will only hurt business for bars that are already hurting. Keep it up and the slow season will be year round.
Reports of the effect of similar smoking bans in America, Ireland and the UK tend to disprove your theory. An initial drop in sales and customers was reported in each case but these quickly recovered and, here in the UK, present reports seem to indicate that most pubs and bars are now experiencing more (healthier and happier) customers and trade than they did before the ban came into effect.

That said, as this is Thailand, it is doubtful if such a ban will be effective or last very long anyway given the Thai gift for circumventing or just simply ignoring such laws.

[TrongpaiExpat]

That said, as this is Thailand, it is doubtful if such a ban will be effective or last very long anyway given the Thai gift for circumventing or just simply ignoring such laws.


One of the Discos in Chiang Mai tried no smoking for a while. I noticed that Thais would step outside, light up and then re-enter the disco with the lit cigarette in their hand. Management was just fine with that--after all they did not light up in the disco.

It seems to me that in many venues it's not the customers that are smoking up the place but rather it's the owners and the staff that are puffing away.

[thrillbill]

When the state of California band smoking in the bars I thought it would never spread else where...but now in the States, even smaller cities are adopting the NO SMOKING band...and I see where London is doing the same. Depending on the city (and weather) there are usually outside places to sit and smoke. This can be done in tropical Bangkok also.

I am a nonsmoker and I hate it when I walk out of the dance clubs in BKK (such as DJ's or GOD) and the next day I can smell my cigarette smoked clothes from the distance...just think what I have been breathing in all night. This law will be great for the young Thais who think it is "cool" to pose and smoke at the clubs...what little do they know that to most Westerners, it is a big turn off. (I'd rather have them smoke my cigar.) :compress:

[alipatt-old]

When i go to Thailand it is quite a shock to go back into a smoking enviroment - for years smoking in a public building and workplace has been band in New Zealand - bars all seem to have a smoking area outside. As an ex smoker that still craves a cig from time to time the bars in Thailand help me to stay off.

When i go to Thailand it is quite a shock to go back into a smoking enviroment - for years smoking in a public building and workplace has been band in New Zealand - bars all seem to have a smoking area outside. As an ex smoker that still craves a cig from time to time the bars in Thailand help me to stay off.


So then Guys,

Thai males must only smoke outside disco's, correct???,

if they smoke inside, it is considered rude?

[lonelywombat]

In Melbourne , non smoking in restaurants was introduced 6 years ago. Public transport, sporting venues

banks, shops and office buildings have progressively followed.

On 1 July together with many cities around the world, bars and discos were added to the list.

My smoking friends far from being angry, have welcomed the introduction.

Talk back radio has many comments about the anti social smells that can now be identified,

that were hidden before. Smelly armpits and other personal areas, bad breath and overuse of colognes.

It is now week 10 and there was a reduction of crowds but it seems they are returning slowly now, and

complaints have been balanced by positive comments. My regular partner to LOS was a 2 large packs a day

smoker. He now puts the 700 baht per day he is saving into his mortgage

Government figures earlier this year, shows the smokers in this state now below 19%, which is one of the lowest

in the world. Things do take time.

In Melbourne , non smoking in restaurants was introduced 6 years ago. Public transport, sporting venues

banks, shops and office buildings have progressively followed.

On 1 July together with many cities around the world, bars and discos were added to the list.

My smoking friends far from being angry, have welcomed the introduction.

Talk back radio has many comments about the anti social smells that can now be identified,

that were hidden before. Smelly armpits and other personal areas, bad breath and overuse of colognes.

It is now week 10 and there was a reduction of crowds but it seems they are returning slowly now, and

complaints have been balanced by positive comments. My regular partner to LOS was a 2 large packs a day

smoker. He now puts the 700 baht per day he is saving into his mortgage

Government figures earlier this year, shows the smokers in this state now below 19%, which is one of the lowest

in the world. Things do take time.



Guys,

I am now one year and two months since I finished three packs a day!

OK, I had a rude awakening, but I will never touch one again!

However, I also promise never to criticize or force my opinions on those that do!

Moves for wider ban on smoking
Anti-smoking restrictions for night entertainment venues will come into effect early next year, Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said yesterday.
The Nation - Published on September 11, 2007


The ban will be enforced with stricter measures under a new ministerial regulation on other places - including non-air-conditioned areas in markets and restaurants.
All areas in state and private hospitals will also become no-smoking zones.

Public hearings held by the ministry showed overwhelming support for the ban in night entertainment venues. The new rules will be pushed through in the next three months. The ministry will also launch other measures to reduce the number of smokers in Thailand, who number around 10 million. State assistance had been promised under a new ministry plan, Mongkol said.

Among the approved measures is the setting up of a state-run National Quitline - a move uncommon even in developed countries. The toll-free number would be printed on all cigarette packs sold in Thailand.

Dr Hathai Chitanont, chairman of the Global Alliance On Cigarette Tariffs, said around a quarter of the 846 billion cigarettes produced each year vanished into black markets and were subsequently sold to smokers at lower prices.

[Wesley]

I agree like smoking is a personal choice, I smoked and I quit cold turkey. My house my clothes my breath everything smells better. I may not to smoke them but, I guess as they say I will defend till their death their right to smoke them. I have every right to sit beside them or look for another venue that does not allow them to smoke but to out law them is an infringement on human rights. I agree it would be nice if we had never seen one and no doubt we would have a greater population than we have now. nature has a way of balancing population and maybe this is her way of getting rid of the ones that have little or no will power to quit.

Wes

[Marsilius]

News today in the UK: a report on the effects of the introduction of the smoking ban in Scotland shows a huge fall in the number of heart attacks in the past year (down 17% in one year, whereas it had previously been falling by about 3% per year).

It's suggested that many "social" smokers who only indulged on the odd evening out with smoking friends have now given up completely.

News today in the UK: a report on the effects of the introduction of the smoking ban in Scotland shows a huge fall in the number of heart attacks in the past year (down 17% in one year, whereas it had previously been falling by about 3% per year).

It's suggested that many "social" smokers who only indulged on the odd evening out with smoking friends have now given up completely.

I find that surprising given this:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/newspa ... 601421.ece (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/newspapers/sunday_times/scotland/article601421.ece)

SALES of cigarettes in Scotland have increased since the ban on smoking in public places was introduced earlier this year, confounding predictions by politicians and health experts.

Despite expectations that there would be a drop in the number of smokers and in the amount of tobacco being smoked, Scots are now buying 61,000 more packets of cigarettes every week than before the ban was introduced.

The trend тАФ which reflects the experiences of other countries that have banned smoking in public тАФ is believed to be partly driven by people smoking more at home.

Other countries also saw a rise in the number of young people smoking because the habit came to be seen more as an act of rebellion.

[Marsilius]

Maybe the answer to that apparent paradox is that (1) the "social" smokers have seized the opportunity of the ban to give up completely as mentioned above (hence the decline in heart attacks which is so statistically pronounced that it cannot be random or a statistical error), but (2) the rump of hard-core smokers who are left are, between them, buying more cigarettes overall as they puff away like mad in the more limited opportunities now left available to them.

Just a theory...

See http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bd31e40c-5fce ... fd2ac.html (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bd31e40c-5fce-11dc-b0fe-0000779fd2ac.html) for the full story as reported in the Financial Times.

"The Nation

All BMA workplaces to be non smoking next year
All workplaces of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will be non smoking by next year, according to Deputy Bangkok Governor Dr Pensri Pichaisanith. She said all offices under the control of the BMA would be "green zones" that prohibit smoking in offices, including schools and primary healthcare units.

BMA staff who break the rules will be fined Bt2,000 under the 1992 NonSmokers Health Protection Act. The BMA's department of health introduced smokingfree zones last year in its offices and included schools and health units. But only 310 out of 1,750 workplaces joined the programme.

A survey of the BMA's health agency found that 200 offices in City Hall 1 and 824 in City Hall 2 still allowed smoking. The car park was the favourite place for smokers.

Pensri said it was still hard work for health officers to change people's behaviour. Even though the government had issued the protection act, there was no law enforcement, so smoking in the workplace remained high.

"Most staff members do not know about the law that prohibits smoking in workplace areas. We have to inform them every time we see them smoking," she added. However, she urged nonsmoking staff to report immediately to the health office if they see any smokers in prohibited areas.

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation