fresh air at last

About two years ago, Ireland banned smoking in pubs. I immediately wrote in to the ST Forum and suggested that Singapore should ban smoking in pubs and clubs. After all, some of the world's most advanced cities like those in New York and California have already done it. And if the Irish Pub capital of the world can do so, why should our progressive society not be among the first to suit. This was prompted in part by my own experience at a smoke-free establishment in CA, which was most enjoyable and unforgettable.

The counter-argument would be that there is a tremendous cost to banning smoking. A cost both to the tobacco companies, to tax revenues, and worst of all to the owners of nightspots. Of course, these costs are currently borne by people like myself - the non-smokers. Unfortunately, ST did not publish my letter.

However, today I read this, and my heart is beating a little faster:

SINGAPORE will ban smoking in more public areas from July 2006 as part of a campaign to cut tobacco-related diseases here , Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, said on Sunday.

Dr Yaacob was quoted as saying on Singapore radio station, News Radio 93.8, that smokers would be allowed to light up only in designated smoking corners at open-air cafes and hawker centres.

'Come 1 July 2006, non-smokers will be insulated, and they can have makan at our hawker centres or the coffee shop without having to suffer secondary smoke,' he was quoted as saying on News Radio 93.8.

Smoking is currently banned in all air-conditioned buildings and establishments except bars.

Dr Yaacob said the ban will be extended from July 2007 to include indoor entertainment outlets such as air-conditioned karaoke lounges and pubs.

'This would give (owners) enough time to make adjustments to their outlets,'such as building smoking rooms with separate ventilation systems, he said.

This is wonderful news, nightspots will never be the same again.