Smoking Ban Effective July 15th...

[Muck]

Second hand smoke does not go away just because an area is not enclosed. I have had to sit next to people on the beach that are smoking and it is every bit as annoying (and dangerous) as sitting next to them in a restaurant or any other enclosed place. The same goes for balconies where I have had to endure the wafting smoke from nearby. It is a quality of life issue and slowly but surely the world is catching on.

For some reason, most smokers think that it is socially acceptable to litter the world with their butts. On the other hand, it is not socially acceptable to litter with cups, bags or food containers. It is very noble to clean up the latter but I don't think it has anything to do with the bigger issue that smokers have created. Accompong said it best: To a smoker, "The world is their ashtray".

I disagree. Smoke outside will dissipate, whereas smoke indoors will hang around due the enclosed space.

My allergies act up when someone walks by wearing lots of perfume or cologne. Should we ban perfume and cologne because it can trigger an allergic reaction in me? Can we also shut down the jerk vendors on the beach? Because as you probably know there are many carcinogens in burning charcoal (not to mention that some people are also allergic to smoke from charcoal grills and woodburning fires)? While we're at it, let's euthanize all the dogs on the beach because they may carry worms or parasites.

Or maybe sometimes we just need to put up with, or "endure" (as you say) things we are offended by or things that might not be healthy. Because, believe it or not, you might occasionally do something that will offend someone else...maybe without even realizing it. Do you drive a car with a gas engine? Do you ever bbq? Have you ever built a bonfire in your backyard? Have you ever cooked authentic Indian cuisine with an open window facing your next door neighbor?

I don't have a problem with keeping smoking outside of enclosed spaces, but I don't consider a balcony an enclosed space. It will be interesting to see how vigorously this new law/policy will be enforced.

And smokers....PICK UP YOUR BUTTS!!!!!! The world is NOT your ash tray.

[Yvonne]

This will probably go away as the Starbucks smoking ban has where I live. I frequent a business next to a Starbucks & was thrilled when the smoking ban went into effect. Was in Negril for a month plus & just went there today. Smokers are back, ignoring the ban & polluting the business I frequent as their outdoor tables are right next to the door. Ugh! This is from a former smoker. Laws of any sort will only be followed if people have respect for the law & for others who may be impacted by their behavior whatever it is... smoking, speeding, you name it.

[gibby701]

I hope I'm at the Pelican Bar when the smoking police sneak up in scuba gear!

[Muzikdoc]

[QUOTE=Lax1724;101400]Second hand smoke does not go away just because an area is not enclosed. I have had to sit next to people on the beach that are smoking and it is every bit as annoying (and dangerous) as sitting next to them in a restaurant or any other enclosed place. The same goes for balconies where I have had to endure the wafting smoke from nearby. It is a quality of life issue and slowly but surely the world is catching on.

So don't sit next to smokers on the beach....Its a BIG beach. Personally I prefer to smoke on the balcony rather than in the room. I guess I will have to start asking rather smoking is allowed on an "outdoor" balcony before I book in the future.

[Long Bay Randy]

Having stayed at Couples many times I see more "guest" enforcement than staff. The hard working folks sure aren't going to PO guests and risk a bad review on the exit form. I say this because the resorts history of doing little to nothing about large out of control groups that take over facilities and make it impossible for others to have a spot there without their out of control acts.

I smoke,and would go with whatever rules exist, but I see others spending their vacations being the smoking cops with the recent changes. Oh...BTW I have NEVER seen ganja policed there.

[jenb]

i have been an on and off smoker for a long time. i totally get not smoking in enclosed spaces. also i DO NOT leave butts on the beach but nonsmokers who freak out about second hand smoke kinda bug me, especially as they sit in their idling cars. whether we like it or not we all contribute to air pollution in some way or another.

[jenb]

cigarettes are just obvious and don't smell great.

[Hussyband]

Just out of curiosity, does Canada have the same sort of draconian laws against smoking that we have in the US? It is my perception that the Canadians are more aggravated by this than Americans... The discussion about this is less than civilized on some other boards.

[ROBIN]

We have had this ban for years .....way before the States did......I was a smoker and have not smoked for a few years now but...I will say that non smoking people can get pretty ridiculous at times...as I witnessed when I was in a football field with about 50 other people and the one standing next to me said I shouldn't smoke because it was bothering them....I suggested that they move since I had been smoking when they chose to stand beside me and there was a whole field available to them ....(I was standing away from the other people at the time.)....I think it takes just a little common sense on both parts.

[Hussyband]

I'm a non smoker, and would prefer no smoking in a restaurant. Outside, I don't much care, unless someone is right in top of me. On some other boards I frequent, I would say the hostility is pretty much evenly divided (smokers vs non) and it's turning into a ridiculous argument.

In all honesty, I see nothing coming from this for tourists, except maybe an end to smoking in jamaican restaurants. I think some folks just look for a chance to argue or make outrageous statements on the Internet. Really, for the US and Canadian citizens (thanks for education, Robin) it is really no different than at home...