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The new pornography?

By John Bucher | Image: iStock | Published: March 18, 2008
smoker_1.jpg

That seems to be what smoking has become.

Here's a thumbnail sketch of the new tobacco laws taking effect in British Columbia on March 31st. A couple of them are surprisingly stiff.

—There will now be an enforceable three-metre smoke-free zone around most public doors and windows;
—Bus shelters will be smoke-free; and
—Shops cannot display or promote tobacco if minors are allowed inside.

Oh, and passers-by better not see anything, either – tobacco promotions must not be visible from the street.

Two questions:
1. You walk through a wisp of cigarette smoke in a public square. Do you: a) make a citizen's arrest on the perp, b) speed-dial the Ministry of Health enforcement team, or c) defend yourself?

2. If the provincial government has decided that Draconian laws are the way to go, would you like to see it address a more serious problem than secondhand smoking? Climate change, perhaps?
 

Comments

Do these laws also apply to

Do these laws also apply to people smoking marihuana? Should they? Why only tobacco? Marihuana smoke is annoying too...

Nope, they don't apply to

Nope, they don't apply to marijuana. There are a few legal discussions that need to happen before they take that regulatory step, I imagine. The question of should is an interesting one, though. John Bucher Editor, Granville Online

I want to know what it's

I want to know what it's going to cost us...? Tax-payer's money going towards enforcing and processing the paperwork for smoking violations is ludicrous.

I have a hard time believing

I have a hard time believing that walking through (or standing near) a cloud of cigarette smoke will do any significant damage to my lungs. As a runner, I'd rather see the same politicians do something about the gagging car exhaust that I can't get away from in this city. Take on the idlers and stop bullying the smokers!

Agreed. The yellow line of

Agreed. The yellow line of smog on the horizon bothers me more than anyone huddled outside a bingo hall, puffing away. Hey, speaking of: According to the new regulations, no venue is permitted to have an indoor smoking room. There might riots at the bingo parlours. John Bucher Editor, Granville Online

It sounds like double

It sounds like double dipping to me: first they tax the hell out of cigarettes - and then they fine you for smoking them.

Ha, true--a tidier union

Ha, true--a tidier union between death and taxes. John Bucher Editor, Granville Online

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