Tobacco.org

SEYMOUR: Time to pull the plug on smoking 

For those who are unable or unwilling to call it quits, when it comes to smoking, this column might not be in harmony with your stance on this highly sensitive issue.

Around the world the noose is tightening for those who oppose efforts to create a smoke free environment aimed at reducing the amount of deaths directly linked to smoking, and the countless victims of second-hand smoke.

This topic angers some who feel their right to smoke is personal . . .

Here in Bermuda, smoking is prohibited in all Government buildings and almost every building used by the public. However, the issue of smoking in public is so sensitive that a complete ban at the moment seems out of the question.

In this enlightened age of health damage caused by smoking, it is disturbing to see a young expectant mother with a cigarette in her hand. Even more troubling is a vehicle with children and the driver polluting their air with second-hand smoke. . . .

Even President Obama admitted he was in that group who needed to kick the habit. Of course he was quick to point out that he never smoked at home.

The move to have a cleaner atmosphere when it comes to smoking has even resulted in Germany this year considering making their annual Munich beer festival a non-smoking event. In France the Government is waging a major campaign to discourage lighting up since they feel a change in attitudes could help reduce the budget for health care.

As we mentioned in the beginning, most smokers will not be overly receptive to further smoking bans. It took a while for the global public to adjust to no smoking on any commercial airliner, but now it is an accepted standard. Some young people feel it is cool to be holding a cigarette until they learn later that too many cigarettes could leave them permanently cool. Education and attitude changes involving smoking are needed before we can move to the high ground of a non-smoking community, which would hopefully benefit future generations.

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Smoking ban making a difference, top doctor says 

Non-smokers are no longer afraid to demand smoke-free environments. And Bermuda’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Cann, believes it is a direct result of the smoking ban which came into full effect a month ago. Dr. Cann said it was too early to determine whether the smoking ban had resulted in a decrease in the number of people smoking cigarettes, however he said there had been a definite shift in the attitudes of non-smokers. “There has been a change in culture and climate and we are finding that more and more people are comfortable telling smokers to refrain from smoking in their presence,” he explained. Meanwhile, a local physician, who asked not to be named, said a number of his patients are finding it extremely difficult to quit the addictive habit.

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Machine removal 'won't hurt cigarette sales' 

Removing dozens of cigarette machines from bars wasn’t cheap, distributor says

The cigarette machines that have been removed from bars, restaurants and clubs as a result of the smoking ban which took effect on Sunday won't have any significant impact on cigarette sales, a distributor said.

William Pitt, managing director of distributor Pitt & Co Ltd, said the process of removing some 100 machines from premises frequented by smokers wasn't cheap, but that it wouldn't have a long-term impact on sales.

"We've adjusted our business model" to compensate for the disruption in sales, he said.

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Ban doorway smoking, says activist Jeffers 

Anti-smoking activist Charles Jeffers has called for smoking to be banned near doorways. He says Bermuda should copy overseas examples such as California which in 2004 banned lighting up within 20 feet of a main entrance, exit, and operable window of all public buildings. His comments come as Health Minister Patrice Minors ruled out any exemptions to allow smoking in some bars, restaurants and offices under legislation that comes into effect on Sunday.

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• SMOKING BAN No-last gasp reprieve for smokers 

Government has refused to grant exemptions to bars which applied to opt out of the smoking ban which comes into full effect on Sunday. Smokers caught lighting up in public face fines of up to $250 while employers can be fined $1,000. Although the law was passed early this year, the six-month grace period on applying fines ends at 12 a.m. on Sunday. Asked if officers were ready to monitor the clampdown, Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said: "The Bermuda Police Service enforces whatever the law is."

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Private club vows to fight smoking ban 

The president of a private club hoping to avoid the Government smoking ban has outlined the reasons why he applied for an exemption.

Joseph Hayward, of the Queen's Club in Hamilton, said that members and staff simply wanted to carry on lighting up.

"They are happy with the way things are," Mr. Hayward told The Royal Gazette. "We are a private club. They are members and we feel we should oblige them."

Chief Medical Officer John Cann has already revealed that more than a dozen venues are set to find out within a fortnight whether they have been successful in their battle against the ban, outlawing smoking in bars, restaurants and offices.

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Decision day looms for ‘smoke-easies’ 

More than a dozen venues are set to find out within a fortnight whether they have successfully side-stepped the Government smoking ban.

Chief Medical Officer John Cann yesterday declined to name the establishments that had submitted bids for exemptions from the new law.

But he confirmed Government had received about 15 applications – mainly from private clubs. Most have cited support from members who want to carry on sparking up, and from bar staff happy to continue working in a smokey atmosphere.

The top medic told The Royal Gazette: “The law allows for companies to ask for exemptions and some private clubs or bars have asked for them. There have been requests from a variety of places, but the bulk have been from private clubs.”

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Tobacconists hoping ban won’t be drag on business 

The new law makes it illegal to light up in public places across the Island including bars, restaurants, hotels, offices and schools. Cigarette vending machines are also banned.

Those who break the rules could face a fine of $250 in the first instance and $1,000 fine for each repeat offence. However, there will be a six-month exemption from prosecution for people to get used to the new rules.

A ban on selling cigarettes to under-18s and tobacco advertising at sporting events has been in place since January 1.

Ian Gordon, president of Church Street-based Cuarenta Bucaneros, which supplies Cuban cigars, said: “I think that the legislation will have some impact on us, but it will not be major. Most of the hotels we supply have outside dining areas and patios, and in many cases already have a no-smoking policy within the building. I think the ban is more likely to affect pubs and clubs where cigarettes are part of the culture.”

He added: “One positive impact that the ban will have is that smokers will want to dine alfresco. It will also definitely have health benefits and improve the ambience and environment in most pubs and restaurants.”

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• Bermuda bans smoking in bars and restaurants 

A smoking ban in Bermuda's bars and restaurants began on Saturday with drinkers who sneak an illegal puff eventually facing fines of $250 (144 pounds).

The ban also covers shops and other enclosed public places in the mid-Atlantic British territory, although there will be no prosecutions until October because of a six-month grace period to allow people to get used to the new law.

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Club owner: Illicit video nearly made me sick 

The controversial film was shot during an "outside event" that had not been organised by Club Malabar, the venue's owner Lord Anthony Butterfield told The Royal Gazette. . . .

The video shows men rolling and smoking cigarettes, and Mr. Butterfield said he was looking forward to April when smoking will be banned in enclosed public places, including nightclubs.

He said that policing the club was difficult because it was often difficult to tell the difference between tobacco and cannabis in a club atmosphere, especially as many brands of tobacco are now scented. "Yes, people make their own cigarettes and I've thrown people out thinking it's weed and I have made a fool of myself," he said. [This graph only]

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Poll finds majority support smoking ban 

A majority of Bermudians who took part in a survey are in favour of a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places, including bars, restaurants, and hotels.

A cross-section of Islanders was quizzed on whether or not they would like to see the blanket ban on smoking and also changes to the law to prevent the sale of tobacco products to under 18s and the banning of all cigarette vending machines.

These tough new anti-smoking measures are to be introduced in stages during 2006 having been passed by the House of Assembly and Senators during December.

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FINIGHAN: Ban on tobacco leaves smokers out in the cold 

The number of smokers now forced to indulge their habit en plein air is testimony to the fact that so many companies in Bermuda today have banished smoking from their premises.

It's a fairly recent shift in thinking. In the late 1970s there was a public outcry when one of Bermuda's two cinemas, The Island, tried out the then new social experiment of going smoke-free. Letters to the Editor flooded in and within a short space of time The Island closed its doors for good.

More recently – perhaps as little as ten years ago – most office workers could freely light up at their desks, ashtrays piled high with butts beside them, while non-smoking colleagues sat quietly holding their breath. . . .

Currently, a ban on tobacco in the workplace leaves smokers out in the cold. In future it could leave them out of a job. Could it ever happen in Bermuda? It might seem unlikely now, but then, just a few years ago the idea of banning cigarettes in bars seemed just as improbable.

And such a move already has one backer. During last Friday's debate, Deputy Premier and medical practitioner Ewart Brown told the House of Assembly: "Smoking is the second major cause of death world-wide. Tobacco should be illegal."

Perhaps the one consolation the island's smokers have is that, with the New Year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to stop.

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• All out war on smoking in Bermuda 

Smoking in public places will be banned in Bermuda from next year after senators followed the lead of Members of Parliament in the House of Assembly and unanimously approved tough new tobacco laws.

The new legislation, passed by the Senate on Wednesday, will make it an offence to light up in bars, restaurants, hospitals, hotels, offices and schools across the island.

It will also see cigarette vending machines banned along with tobacco advertising at sporting events and will make it illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18.

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Senators to discuss smoking ban 

An Island-wide smoking ban in public places will be discussed for the first time by Senators today. The Tobacco Products (Public Health) Amendment Act 2005 has been tabled for a first reading in the Upper House. MPs in the House of Assembly approved the Act, which will lead to a ban in bars, restaurants, offices and shops, on Friday.

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• SMOKING BAN APPROVED 

Bermuda is on course to join a growing number of countries around the world that have outlawed smoking in all enclosed public places – be they hotels, bars, restaurants, places of work or shops and theatres. An Island-wide smoking ban in enclosed public places will now become the law of the land in 2006 if it is approved by the Senate following its acceptance by MPs in the House of Assembly yesterday. Senators are expected to discuss the ban when they meet next week. Making a case for the strict ban, Health Minister Patrice Minors referred to a raft of statistics and research that pointed to tobacco use being the second biggest killer of people in the world.

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