Smoking on the Titanic
This week, a British government report on the dangers of passive smoking was leaked. The report cites passive smoking is a “substantial public health hazard”. Yesterday, Liverpool city council voted (57 votes to 7) to become the first city in the UK to ban smoking in all public enclosed spaces (such as shopping malls, restaurants or pubs), with fines of up to £1000 for offenders.
In the mean time, German politicians have been continuing their debate, which has already lasted 30 years, as to whether over-16’s should be allowed to continue to smoking in the breaks at school. Unfortunately, I fear this debate, and the lack willingness to take action, is symptomatic of the general lack of will by the politicians here to make reforms in other more important areas, such as labour laws and taxation – the ship is sinking as the band, or in this case, the politicians, continue to play.
October 21st, 2004 at 21:10:47
Its really pleasent to eat in a restaurent in USA or UK and not be bothered by smoke. When visitors come over to Germany is difficult to explain the stink of smoke.
German officialdom is capable of acting in a resolute manner – e.g. when it comes to throwing proverbial stones in the way of us poor glider pilots with over beaurocratic burdons. The Germans do their admin like Citroen build cars – why do it simply when complicated will also do?