Inside this issue...

-    Yes! Yes! Yes!
-    A resounding no… and from a non-smoker!
-    And then there are those who are slightly indecisive…

Dear reader,

I was very pleased with your vociferous response to my question in last week’s bulletin. Surprisingly, there wasn’t the expected unanimous “YES” when I asked whether we should do what New Zealand is planning, and ban smoking completely. I wanted to share everyone’s comments, and a few readers very kindly gave permission for us to reproduce what they had to say here…

Yes! Yes! Yes! 

“During the years that tobacco was allowed to be advertised, I was told directly by an executive of an advertising agency that they purposely target the youth. Tobacco companies know there’s no point in marketing to 40 year-olds…so in different ways they push the drug onto children, who become addicted before they can really give informed consent. Any effort to stop our children from becoming addicted should be supported.”

“I firmly believe any product that is deemed to have a detrimental influence/effect on an individual’s health (and which studies have shown to be the case) should be subject to an outright ban.”

A resounding no… and from a non-smoker!
 
“I certainly hope we don’t follow New Zealand’s example. I’m not a smoker but outlawing tobacco will have disastrous effects. The history of prohibition has created bigger problems without solving the targeted problems. The problem with prohibition is it violates a basic human right: the right to be the one deciding what you do with your body. You can educate, discourage and regulate but if you prohibit, you’re violating human rights, and no matter how good your intentions, it can only lead to trouble. “

And then there are those who are slightly indecisive…

“All the policies, regulations and acts limiting smoking are a very good thing, but there’s no help when it comes to quitting, especially from the employer. I am one of the guys who want to quit smoking, but I don’t get any support from my employer. What is an act worth if there’s no support?”

“It wouldn’t be so bad for people to continue smoking if smokers confined their dirty habits by smoking in areas where they only damage their own lungs. But, wherever one goes there’s a smoker who spoils it for others who choose not to smoke. Places such as sports events, pubs, restaurants and the workplace are all tarnished by some people’s dirty habits. The law isn’t applied strictly enough, so they tend to literally get away with murder. “

So there you have it – opinion is still quite divided. Although our ever-increasing restrictions on smoking suggest we could follow in New Zealand’s footsteps, I think we have a while to go.

In the name of safety,

Christel Fouché
Editor-In-Chief: Health and Safety Advisor