Sunday, December 27, 2009

The French are Lighting Up in Public Again..

Strange that I had this post on ciggies written up yesterday. There is an announcement today that Cigarette prices go up on Jan 1.

So, is this price increase good news or bad news for you?

Take a closer look at these tobacco ads. See anything amiss? Doctors and a dentist are promoting cigarettes. Santa is on the scene too, an athlete as well. Even baby is getting into the action.

Fortunately, these are old tobacco ads otherwise, we'll be seeing some serious protests and picketing on the streets and in front of government offices.

Three years after France outlawed smoking in public places, The French Are Lighting Up in Public Again..

Interesting stats in France: Studies show that complaints by people of exposure to second-hand smoke at work, which dropped from nearly 43% in 2006 to just 9% the following year, has now gone back up to 21%, according to Non-Smokers' Rights (NSR).

The reason? Widespread government enforcement of the law never materialized as expected, leaving employers and workers less worried about being fined nearly $200 per infraction. Some employees now light up at their desks or by the coffee machine instead of joining their shivering colleagues outside, and many bosses turn a blind eye to it.


Source: Time.com

17 comments:

  1. I wish Malaysia government will ban smoking in public too. :(

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  2. Do we have Non-smokers' Rights movement here in Malaysia?

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  3. I guess no country can ever stop people to smoke. I do really hope that will come true one day but not very possible. When can Malaysia adapt the good Laws like the one in Singapore and Hong Kong that ban smoking under the roof.

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  4. Understand a packet of 20's of fag cost RM8 something and even the price goes up to RM10 there are still smokers lighting em up. Nothing can ever stop smokers nor the gomen. Lucky me I burnt the habit long time ago.

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  5. Anonymous11:32 PM

    I think even if prices rise, smokers will still continue to smoke. After all, it's an addiction. Not easy to just kick that habit.

    More should be done to discourage people from lighting up.

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  6. i really hate the smokers gang gathering in the toilet on my office floor!! how i wish the government can ban public smoking immediately in 2010!!!

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  7. Regardless of the prices, smokers will pay and light up.

    I used to find it unable to understand why smokers just can't give up the habit, till the day I realised that I was similarly getting addicted to computer gaming.

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  8. Got a friend who said this to her boyfriend "try kissing an ash tray and tell me how's the feeling like". She is cool.. Well non smokers try this on your spouse?

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  9. I always think that if price goes up, smokers will stop smoking. Maybe the nicotine craving is just too strong for smokers to quit smoking.

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  10. I hope the price increase will deter young people from smoking but I doubt it will be really effective. As for older people, they will continue to smoke regardless of the price!

    I hope Malaysia set up smoking boxes in the streets and in public places, so that people who feel like smoking can go into those boxes to smoke and spare us non-smokers!

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  11. Btw, you are welcomed to keep me occupied on my blog. Haha!

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  12. Tekkaus, I don't think that is possible. That would be violation of human rights.

    KS, I doubt Malaysia has an NSR movement. We have a lot to catch up on in movements like this.

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  13. Superman, right you are that no country can ever stop people from smoking.

    Malaysia does not have a blanket law like that but some MNCs are in fact practising it. Smokers go out of the building to a designated corner to puff away. Shades are also erected for cover. How cool is that?! However, their clothes would wreak of third-hand smoke which you would inhale should you share the same space or elevator with them. Sigh..

    Bananaz, price is no hindrance to people who can afford it. Good for you to have stopped the habit.

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  14. Mei Teng, precisely. Price is not a deterrent. The will to stop has got to come from within. It normally takes self-realisation or a strong wake-up call, like a sickness, for a smoker to stop. I used to not mind cigarette smoke but somehow these days, I find it quite unbearable. It's tough sitting beside a smoker lighting up in a mamak's. Oh well, it's a free world, almost..

    SK, yeah, that's tough - to have cigarette smoke in an aircond place. Can your office or office bldg management do nothing about it?

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  15. Shingo, is addicted to gaming that bad? I thought gaming is just another hobby and a way to relieve stress? I shall never know, eh?

    Cheahsan, LOL! I wonder if that tactic would work for everyone.. The guy may say, "Darlin', if you love me, you'll let me have my fun while you have yours - shopping (with my credit card)." haha...

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  16. Ai Shiang, that's human nature for you. haha..

    Foong, yeah, let the young 'uns not pick up the habit but as for the 'older' ones, moh yok ee (gone case) already lah. Oops! My bad.

    Smoke boxes? Aiyah! There goes taxpayers' contribution..

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  17. Website design, you are welcome.

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