Smoking bans by country
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Many governments impose restrictions on smoking tobacco, especially in public areas. The primary justification has been the negative health effects of secondhand smoke. Laws vary by country and locality, from the most radical to the very lax. The only country in the world to have banned the sale and smoking of tobacco is Bhutan. Here is a list of smoking bans by country in alphabetical order.
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[edit] Australia
In Australia smoking bans are determined on a state-by-state basis: A ban on smoking in all indoor dining areas was introduced in South Australia in January 1999.[1] Similar measures to those introduced in New Zealand were successful in the state of Queensland in July, 2006. The State of Tasmania also plans to bring in law making it illegal to smoke in cars containing passengers under 18.
[edit] Canada
Smoking in indoor workplaces and public places is banned in most provinces.
- Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan have banned indoor smoking including in bars. Ontario has banned smoking in the workplace, taxicabs, work vehicles, bars and restaurants, and has banned ventilated smoking rooms and enclosed smoking shelters, such as those in front of hospitals. Nova Scotia has also done the same as of December 1, 2006.
- Prince Edward Island allow smoking only in separate, ventilated rooms. There is a smoking ban in Vancouver and Victoria.
- British Columbia now has bans so that one cannot smoke near public doors, at bus stations, and near or on school grounds.
- Alberta bans smoking in all workplaces, except for those places where minors under 18 aren't allowed to enter. It exempts bars, casinos and bingo halls.
- Yukon
- Whitehorse banned as of January 2005 in all indoor public places, including restaurants and bars.
[edit] Finland
Smoking has been banned in indoor public and workplaces from March 1st 1995, except in restaurants. Smoking will be banned in all indoor public and workplaces, including bars, cafes, clubs and restaurants from June 1st 2007.
[edit] France
A smoking ban is in place since February 1st, 2007 in all indoor workplaces and public places, with the exception of hotels, restaurants, cafés, tobacconists, bars, casinos and discotheques, for which the ban comes into effect on January 1st, 2008. Smoking rooms are allowed, but are subjected to very strict conditions: they may occupy at most 20% of the total floor space of the establishment and their size may not be more than 35 m2; they need to be equipped with separate ventilation which replaces the full volume of air 10 times per hour; the air pressure of the smoking room must constantly be lower than the pressure in the contiguous rooms; they have doors that close automatically; no service can be provided in the smoking rooms; cleaning and maintenance personnel may enter the room only one hour after it was last used for smoking.[1]
[edit] Hong Kong
Smoking was banned by the HKSAR government commencing January 2007. The ban was placed in most public places including restaurants, bars, Internet cafes, public toilets, beaches and public parks.
[edit] Ireland
Ireland became the first European country to institute an outright ban on smoking in workplaces on 29 March 2004. From that date onwards, under the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts, it has been illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces. This includes bars, restaurants, offices and public buildings. The maximum on-the-spot fine is €3000.
[edit] Italy
In Italy, it has been strictly forbidden since 10 January 2005 to smoke in public enclosed spaces, except for designated smoking rooms, in which food can be served, but which are subjected to strict conditions: they need to be separately ventilated, with specified high air replacement rates; their air pressure must constantly be lower than the pressure in the surrounding rooms; they must be equipped with sliding doors which close automatically. Only 1% of all public establishments have opted for a smoking room.
[edit] New Zealand
The 2004 ban on smoking in bars and restaurants in New Zealand met with initial resentment from some bar owners, but was widely welcomed by the public at large.
[edit] Norway
In Norway, smoking has been banned in restaurants, bars and cafes since 1 June 2004.
[edit] Sweden
In Sweden, smoking was banned in restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs in June 2005. Smoking rooms are allowed though in these institutions.
[edit] United Kingdom
Due to devolution, smoking bans in the United Kingdom have been determined on a country-by-country basis. The whole of the UK will be covered by July 1st 2007.
[edit] England
Smoking will be banned in public places in England, including workplaces, bars, clubs and restaurants from July 1st 2007. Some places, such as bus shelters, coach stations (outside), phone boxes, hotel rooms, nursing homes and psychiatric wards are excluded. Smoking will be allowed anywhere outside and with whatever company.
[edit] Northern Ireland
Smoking will be banned in workplaces in Northern Ireland from April 30th 2007.
[edit] Scotland
On March 26, 2006, Scotland prohibited smoking in enclosed (more than 50% covered) public places, which includes public buildings, workplaces, sports stadiums, bars and restaurants. Exemptions are in place to allow hotel guests to smoke in their own rooms. Unusually the law also bans smoking in bus shelters, phone boxes or other shelters that are more than 50% enclosed. It also prohibits smoking in trucks and vans which are owned by a company whether or not the driver is the only person inside. In common with the response in New Zealand, the ban has been criticized by certain publicans, cafes and bingo halls who claim that it is hurting sales and business, but this matter is contested by others who report increased sales.[citation needed] Public support in Scotland is in clear favour of the ban, and adherence is widespread. It is reported that the National Heath Service in Scotland's Quit Smoking Line, has received an additional 50,000 calls from people wishing to give up in the 6 months since the ban was introduced.
[edit] Wales
Smoking was banned across all enclosed public premises and work premises in Wales on April 2nd 2007.
[edit] United States of America
In the United States, the question of smoking is determined at the state level, and not by the federal government; therefore, smoking policies are instituted on a state-by-state basis.
In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, home to the City of Pittsburgh, smoking is currently prohibited in all workplaces, and will become illegal in all restaurants and bars starting May 1, 2007.
In New York City, smoking is forbidden in almost all workplaces, although in rare cases this ban is not enforced in some small neighborhood bars, establishments caught allowing smoking face stiff fines. It is now commonplace for restaurants to ban smoking even in their outside seating areas, or near entrances, relegating most smokers to street corners or in front of private residences.
In 2004, smoking was outlawed in all public buildings in the state of Maine. Furthermore, in the town of Farmington, it is illegal to smoke in a motor vehicle if a minor is present, although this is currently a secondary offense.
In December 2005, it became illegal in Washington State to smoke inside a public building and within 25 feet of an entrance, window, or vent.
In April 2006, it became illegal in the state of New Jersey to smoke in enclosed public spaces (for example, bars, restaurants or offices) with the exception of a casino floor. A similar ban is in effect in the states of New York and Florida, both in July of 2003, as well, in addition to the cities of Philadelphia and Columbus.[2].
In 2005, it became illegal to smoke in public bars and restaurants in Hennepin and Ramsey counties (Minneapolis/Saint Paul) of Minnesota.
In 2006, Tuscaloosa County, home of the University of Alabama, made it illegal to smoke in any public place such as restaurants, bars, and clubs. Though a law as of now, there is still a debate on this issue in Tuscaloosa County. This did not pass and it is still lawful to smoke in a bar and in a restaurant after 10pm.[citation needed]
In January 2006, Georgia passed a smoking ban, which prohibits smoking inside any restaurant that serves customers under the age of 18; this law does not apply to bars and clubs.
In March 2006, Colorado passed a smoking ban, which prohibits smoking in bars, restaurants, and most workplaces. Casinos and cigar bars were exempted.
In Arkansas, you can not smoke in your car if you have an infant with you. If a police officer sees you with a child seat in your car and you are smoking, you will get a hefty ticket.[citation needed]
It is currently illegal to smoke in any public building, including restaurants, in Houston, Texas. As of September 2007, this ban will be extended to all bars.
In November 2006, the state of Ohio elected to ban smoking in any enclosed public space, including restaurants and bars. The Department of Health is currently writing regulations and the ban will be enforced beginning June 8, 2007 (although it is technically in place today and many establishments honor it).[citation needed]
In Arkansas it is illegal to smoke in a privately owned place such as bars, hotels, and restaurants unless the owner of the restaurant, etc. makes the place 21 and over.[citation needed] Also, if a restaurant makes their age limit 21 so that you can smoke there, an 18 year old who can legally smoke, can not work there.[citation needed]
In Baltimore, Maryland, smoking is currently prohibited in all workplaces, and will become illegal in all restaurants and bars starting January 1, 2008.[3].
[edit] Uruguay
In March 2006, it became illegal in Uruguay to smoke in enclosed public spaces. Now bars, restaurants or offices where people are caught smoking face fines of more than $1,100 or a three-day closure. This makes Uruguay the first country in South America to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces. [4].
Anti-smoking groups estimate that as many as a third of Uruguay's 3.4 million people smoke. President Tabaré Vázquez, a practicing oncologist, has cited reports suggesting about seven people die each day in Uruguay (an estimated 5,000 people a year) from smoking-related causes including lung cancer, emphysema and other illnesses.[5]
To help promote the plan, president Vazquez launched a campaign called "A Million Thanks," which is a reference to the number of Uruguayan smokers. So far, the campaign seems to have won these people over, as an opinion poll conducted by the Ministry of Public Health states that close to 70% of the country's smokers support the legislation. [6]
The president was the impetus behind the government-decreed measure, which is among the world’s toughest and is similar to bans already in place in Ireland, Sweden, Norway and Spain. [7]
[edit] References
- ^ Tobaccolaws.sa.gov.au
- ^ New Jersey Gov. Signs Smoking Ban, Casinos Excepted
- ^ Smoking ban wins approval
- ^ Uruguay curbs smoking in public
- ^ Public smoking ban takes effect in Uruguay - TobacoFree.org
- ^ Uruguay implements smoking ban - dominionpaper.ca
- ^ Uruguay smoking ban toughest in Latin America
