Smoking Ban Effective July 15th...

[Muck]

...I guess that's today!!

I see that Couples resorts has made an announcement that, effective today, guests are no longer allowed to smoke in their bars, restaurants, rooms...and even balconies. Which I think is nuts considering the law reads "enclosed" areas, and I wouldn't consider a balcony to be an enclosed space.

Since it seems this new law is far reaching and includes all "enclosed places" including bars and nightclubs, will other hotels in Negril also be banning smoking as well?

Will this be one of those laws that are rarely enforced?

[biggbxguy]

I seriously doubt it will be made a rule in all the other hotels...there is too much competition for guests to have rules like that .imo anyway.

[Accompong]

I seriously doubt it will be made a rule in all the other hotels...there is too much competition for guests to have rules like that .imo anyway.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...king--campaign

This ban is island wide. However, it will start being enforced in stages (i.e. public transportation, restaurants, bars, larger hotels etc.) but one day soon, it will be enforced everywhere (or so it is planned).

Personally, I am a non-tobacco smoker so I appreciate not having to breathe second hand smoke. Plenty of space to smoke outside. Banning it on the balconies is a bit of a stretch but, why not?

To a smoker, "The world is their ashtray".

Peace and Guidance

[Muck]

Another thing I don't understand....why the ban on e-cigarettes and vaporizers as well?? They are "healthier" than cigarettes in that you don't inhale the tar associated with burning tobacco (It's the tar that causes cancer and other lung-related ailments, not the nicotine.) In addition, no one is subjected to second hand smoke or the smell associated with cigarettes or ganja. Seems to me that people should be encouraging the use of these devices rather than banning them along with smoking.

[Accompong]

Another thing I don't understand....why the ban on e-cigarettes and vaporizers as well?? They are "healthier" than cigarettes in that you don't inhale the tar associated with burning tobacco (It's the tar that causes cancer and other lung-related ailments, not the nicotine.) In addition, no one is subjected to second hand smoke or the smell associated with cigarettes or ganja. Seems to me that people should be encouraging the use of these devices rather than banning them along with smoking.

Where did it say anyone was banning "e-cigarettes and vaporizers" in public places? Did I miss that somewhere? Should they be banned, I think so. Saying "They are healthier than cigarettes" is like saying "stabbings are less fatal than shootings".

True, no one is subjected to second hand smoke or the smell but these e-cigarettes do contain some cancer causing carcinogens along with nicotine.

Seems like a bad idea to encourage their usage.

Peace and Guidance

[Muck]

Where did it say anyone was banning "e-cigarettes and vaporizers" in public places? Did I miss that somewhere? Should they be banned, I think so. Saying "They are healthier than cigarettes" is like saying "stabbings are less fatal than shootings".

True, no one is subjected to second hand smoke or the smell but these e-cigarettes do contain some cancer causing carcinogens along with nicotine.

Seems like a bad idea to encourage their usage.

Peace and Guidance

Here is a study that says there are NO carcinogens present in the vapor from e cigarettes:

"Moreover, there are approximately 56 other carcinogens that have been identified to be present at high levels in tobacco smoke, while there are no other carcinogens that have been identified to be present in electronic cigarettes. "

Granted, he does say that there still needs to be further study on the health effects, but as of now, e cigarettes are no more harmful than nicotine patches or gum.

http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/...omparison.html

[Hussyband]

Smoking in restaurants is probably the only thing I seriously dislike on my JA trips. I am so glad to see this law passed.

If they could get the less polite smokers to stop leaving their butts on the beach, that would be fantastic...

[Muzikdoc]

As a smoker here is my two-cents..lol..I totally agree smoking should be banned in an "enclosed" restaurant or bar. I see no problem with an "open air" restaurant or bar allowing smoking..I also agree with the comment about the beach. Smoking should be allowed, I smoke on the beach but I do dispose of all my butts and usually clean up others messes also, along with plastic cups, styrofoam dinner boxes and black plastic bags...

[Lax1724]

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".

[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.