Tobacco.org

• The year of the smoking ban 

A year after smoking was stubbed out in public places, JAMES DEBONO looks back at a year in which smokers retreated from indoors, more people gave up smoking, and whether the long arm of the law treated establishments equally.

Since the ban on smoking in public places came into force in October 2004, an average of two people a day have been booked by the police for smoking, or for permitting smoking in bars, restaurants and public places. In total, 176 people were charged for breaking the law on smoking in the past year, a fact which both businessman Philip Fenech and health crusader Mario Spiteri, contend that when it comes to enforcement, not everyone is being treated equally.

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