Miqati: Alternatives to Smoking Ban Should Have Been Presented before Law’s Approval
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Tuesday that the government is committed to the implementation of the smoking ban that was recently approved by parliament.
He said after meeting with a delegation from the restaurant owners syndicate: “Those protesting the ban should have presented alternatives before the law was approved at parliament.”
Restaurant owners have protested the ban, saying it will affect the country’s tourism sector.
The ban came into effect on Monday in accordance to Law 174, which passed a year ago.
The premier stated that the government had highlighted the importance of the ban, adding that it also recognizes the effects it will have on the tourism sector.
“The relief brought to the citizens and civil authorities cannot be ignored however,” noted Miqati.
He added that he understands the protesters actions, revealing that their suggestions could be taken into consideration by the government and parliament ahead of possibly amending the law.
To that end, he suggested the formation of a committee that includes parliament, the concerned ministries, and representatives of various syndicates to study all aspects of the smoking ban.
Members of the judicial police, the inspectors of the Ministry of Public Health, the Directorate of Consumer Protection in the Economy Ministry and the tourist police will be in charge of monitoring the implementation of the law’s provisions.
A minimum LL135,000 ($90) fine for non-compliance with the new smoke-free regulations will be applied to both the owners and the smokers themselves.
Shisha smokers will be the most affected as smoking water pipes has become part of the Lebanese culture and a rising number of people from all ages are becoming addicted.
They consider shisha a recreational activity.
The National Tobacco Control Program of the Health Ministry says more than 3,500 Lebanese die each year from tobacco-related diseases.
04 September 2012, 15:43
01
How about offering smoked food for the smokers. Who are these tourists coming to Lebanon to smoke. I am surprised airlines are still in business since smoking is not allowed on board. In the states, they went up in arms when they banned smoking in restaurants. Later on, they found out their sales went up not down.
04 September 2012, 16:06
00
the majority of the Lebanese are non smokers.. point out. Besides the horrid water pie is poison. We should fine the resto. for selling them to UNDERAGE clients in the first place. I still suggest that if smokers spotted in any resto. non smokers should simply take a picture on their mobile phone, and leave the resto. without paying the bill. Resto. This is more effective than callingb the police and handing out fines to offenders.
04 September 2012, 22:21
00
@ Jadski, This law is very good, it will help build a healthier Lebanon. We cannot go to restaurants anymore ,clubs, bars , malls, and leave afterwards without smelling lik a cigarette ashtray, it is good. But i agree it must have limits. Like i for sure , restaurants , clubs, bars, malls, must ban cigarette INDOORS, but outdoors , for restaurant for example, they can still smoke like almost everywhere in the world. And if restaurants have shishas, they must pay for a SPECIAL LICENSE to be able to smoke indoors. Thats what happens everywhere in the world. It a good start. On a second hand, like you mentionned jadski, it would have been better to take care of more important issues, but at least this should not be ignored and i hope its true.
05 September 2012, 18:08
00
This is ridiculas. Instead of fixing the infastructure of lebanon, the roads, the electricity supply, they decide to make smoking bans? how Stuiped could the lebanese government get. I really hope the lebanese will speak up to this stuiped law, because It's a smokers country and they have every right to smoke where they please. I for one am devestated to hear that my country is ending such a era. It won't be the same as the old days. The economy will be going down as well as businesses. Good work lebanese government, you really made it a better country despite all the toxic waste around. People need to raise their voices.
