Jump to full article: The Royal Gazette (bm), 2009-10-02
Author: OPINION By Al Seymour
Intro: 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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