Smoking bans seem to be all the rage with governments these days. A rash of bans have sprouted especially in Europe in recent years. A number of countries have joined the non-smoking wagon and a number of others are scrambling for their turn to join in.

Different countries have implemented the ban to different degrees. Some countries like Albania, Ireland, Cyprus, England, Iceland, Estonia, Finland, Scotland and recently Netherlands and France have opted to go completely smoke-free and ban smoking in all work places and public buildings including restaurants and cafes. Some countries have chosen to tread a bit more lightly. Austria for example bans smoking in public buildings open to children and young people but does not include work places. Others like Germany agreed to ban smoking in restaurants and pubs but will allow exemptions for small bars and premises with separate smoking rooms. Spain, Slovakia and Slovenia have allowed smoking in separate zones in pubs and restaurants. Switzerland imposes partial restriction on indoor workplaces and Luxembourg imposes a total ban on advertising and sponsoring smoking and a partial ban on smoking in public places.

The list is not limited to Europe alone. In recent years, many countries around the world including Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Singapore and a number of states in the Untied States have banned smoking in public areas. From the above, it’s clear the world wants to go smoke-free. Below are some key effects of such a move.

Some key effects of the smoking ban

Great for health: Results actually show a huge drop in the number of heart attacks and lung-related diseases in many countries that have enacted the smoking ban. e..g. In the first eighteen months that Peublo, Colorado enacted the smoking ban, hospital admissions for heart attacks dropped 27%. Scotland showed a 17% year-on-year drop in heart attack admissions since the ban.

Lower tobacco usage: Smoking bans make it generally easier for people to quit smoking. In UK, according to a survey, 22% of smokers quit after the ban was implemented in public areas. Cigarette sales have generally dropped in these countries and there is a lower chance of young people becoming habitual smokers.

Business blues: There’s a mixed opinion on the effects of the ban on businesses. Many restaurant and pub owners complain of lost business. Counter-arguments are that these smoke-free areas will now attract the non-smokers to their premises.

Some key criticisms

Needless to say, not everyone’s happy about the bans. Smokers and business owners are the most upset. Some key criticisms are:

Loss of personal freedom: Many smokers complain that the ban is an infringement on their personal freedom and choice. They believe that it is their right to choose whether to smoke or not. Many smokers in France for example feel like it is a change in their complete lifestyle. Their images of a cup of coffee and croissant best enjoyed with a cigarette have gone up in smoke…. literally.   

Economic loss: Restaurant and bar owners have complained that many of them have reported losses and many smaller establishments have had to close down pending the losses caused by the bans.

Bans simply move smoking elsewhere: By moving smoking out of closed places and buildings, critics say that the ban has only moved smoking to the doorways. Some also claim that this has reduced productivity as smokers now have to make longer trips to the ground floor or office exit for a smoke.

Smoking ban paradoxes

This sudden rush to go healthy has resulted in some curious scenarios.

One way or another, more and more countries are getting stricter about smoking bans. It’s time we got used to it.

Sidd Lobo
Freelance writer based out of Munich

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