Smoking Ban
Ok. I am not a leading expert in world’s best practice on prisoner rehabilitation — my experience with the prison system is limited to the weekly goings-on of “Vinegar Tits” and “The Freak”, endless taunts of “Ya fat dyke bitch”, and inmates having various parts of their anatomy rendered wrinkle-free in the laundry steam presses in Prisoner.
So when I read that the good guardians of Lithgow jail, sorry, “Correctional Centre” are living up to their name by correcting the habits of their house guests by trialling a ban on smoking in cells and prison buildings, I wondered how the “Top Dog” Queen Bea, Franky, Doreen, Karen, Lynn, et al would have reacted. Um, not well. Especially that chain-smoking Lizzie.
The story in the Daily Tele reveals how the ban will allow smoking only in “designated outdoor areas”. That has to be taking the piss doesn’t it? “Sure Trevor, you can still smoke outside. Oh that’s right, you’re locked up for sixteen hours a day”.
Continue reading "Is there a nicotine patch strong enough for this?" »
Two words that I always find amusing when used in the same sentence are “smokers” and “rights”.
This week’s announcement by the NSW Minister for Health of the ban on smoking in playgrounds, public transport stops, swimming pools, entrances to public buildings and sports grounds has ignited passions and lungs.
One such reader was all fired up in response to a news.com.au story.
Continue reading "The debate that’s ignited passions and lungs" »
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Utopia Boy says:
Smokers need help - they don’t need to be ostracised because of a dirty little habit. Smokers DO need to be considerate. So do non smokers. The harm from second hand cigarrette smoke is negligible if you factor in the abovementioned vehicle pollutants, and the increasingly fewer places people can… Read more »
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U92 says:
To Steve Williams: brilliantly written! So true. Read more »
The latest move by the Federal Government to make smoking a habit of the past is the latest salvo in the rapid expansion of the nanny state.
Recently the Health Minister Nicola Roxon re‑announced the government’s intention to force tobacco companies to adopt plain packaging for all cigarette brands.
From next year, smokers will be greeted with a standard olive‑green packet emblazoned with graphic health warnings screaming that “every cigarette is doing you damage”.
Continue reading "Nanny state’s thriving on tax harvested from smokers" »
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Josh says:
...Most narrow minded opinion ever, think about the raise in crime because children cant eat because their parents spent 400$ in a week on smokes.. goto another country and spend 4$.. the government is just trying to revenue raise because of all the mismanaged money they have lost in the… Read more »
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Jeremy says:
Try doing some research before you speak James… It is a fact the revenue raised well and truely pays for all of the hospital costs…. IT IS A MYTH that it doesn’t… It is a means of scarring non-smokers into fighting the cause by deception…. Tails I agree with your… Read more »
Smokers. The unthinkable may become a disagreeable reality. Smoking may be banned in private homes and apartments.
Scoff if you like about improbability of home smoking bans. How they would not only be unfair but unenforceable. Dismiss the concept as ridiculous.
Huff and puff about civil liberties, individual freedom of choice and the home being the family castle. Thump the table about government interference and intervention. About the spidery intrusion of the nanny state. But ignore the looming reality at your peril. The smokers’ nagging fear, that their final bastion will be invaded by smoke police, is already here.
Continue reading "The cigarette police are coming to get you - at home" »
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Parly says:
I’m glad smokers and non-smokers alike finally understand that secondhand smoke poses a dangerous health risk to everyone and needs to be banned from multi-family dwellings. It can’t be contained in the units and costs everyone $$ in health costs and shortened lives. It’s about time! Read more »
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Kev says:
Second hand smoke affects me as it seeps into my apartment. Just now recovering from a week off work due to chest infection brought on by smoke. The only exposure to cigarette smoke I have is in my home, the one I’m paying off with more than half my income.… Read more »
Welcome to Monday @ The Punch
Today in 2004 The Republic of Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in workplaces.
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stephen says:
Do you two smoke before or after ? Read more »
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Mr Pastry says:
T.Chong. Apologies for not including your good self as a commenter of note, I enjoy your work even when I don’t agree. Mrs Pastry is shocked you think her name is a joke. Read more »
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