If you remember, there was going to be a "Non-smoking night" in Gemmayze in about 35 pubs yesterday October 28th. More here. Being a non-smoking advocate myself I asked several friends of mine about their encounters yesterday in several pubs in Gemmayze and their opinions. They said that most of them had people smoking inside although these pubs were supposed to be part of the "Ain't no smokin 2nite" campaign that was organized by Rotaract.
There were people smoking even in pub-restaurants such as Olio. You would think that they would be busy stuffing themselves instead of smoking.
A friend of mine even told me this: "There was also one pub that had a sign that said Smoking Friendly"
Another friend said only few of the pubs stuck to the campaign, one of them was Berlin. But the others allowed people to smoke.
There are several studies done around the world, in Europe and in the US, saying that banning smoking in public places has decreased the number of deaths caused by smoking! But why should we believe scientists right?
My favorite smoker's argument is this: "Why should I forbid myself from smoking, so what if I die 10 years earlier, at least I would've done something I enjoy!"
So basically, the 10 years prior to that when you have lung cancer is enjoyable?
There is a new article today suggesting that Lebanon must move to ban smoking, Syria did? Are they better than us?
What I don't understand is why do Lebanese people stick to rules abroad, but tend to be anarchists in Lebanon? And anarchist for what? For telling you not to smoke because it endangers your life and the life of the strange people that are beside you and you have no right to bother them?
Smoking bothers me as much as if someone was picking their nose or playing with their toes, so why should I be okay with them when they smoke? Bala 2arafkoun! I don't mind people smoking, I just do when it's a closed place and when I am eating, is it too much to ask for? some oxygen and to actually be able to taste the food?
Congratulations fellow Lebanese on one of your other lousy sense of humanity, logic and respect. Kudos! Ya3tikoun el 3afieh. I am glad I didn't go to Gemmayze because if I did and had found people smoking, I would've probably caused a scene.
Finally, why did those hypocrite pubs sign into this campaign if they were going to act like a cheating newly wed red-eyed husband?
There were people smoking even in pub-restaurants such as Olio. You would think that they would be busy stuffing themselves instead of smoking.
A friend of mine even told me this: "There was also one pub that had a sign that said Smoking Friendly"
Another friend said only few of the pubs stuck to the campaign, one of them was Berlin. But the others allowed people to smoke.
There are several studies done around the world, in Europe and in the US, saying that banning smoking in public places has decreased the number of deaths caused by smoking! But why should we believe scientists right?
My favorite smoker's argument is this: "Why should I forbid myself from smoking, so what if I die 10 years earlier, at least I would've done something I enjoy!"
So basically, the 10 years prior to that when you have lung cancer is enjoyable?
There is a new article today suggesting that Lebanon must move to ban smoking, Syria did? Are they better than us?
What I don't understand is why do Lebanese people stick to rules abroad, but tend to be anarchists in Lebanon? And anarchist for what? For telling you not to smoke because it endangers your life and the life of the strange people that are beside you and you have no right to bother them?
Smoking bothers me as much as if someone was picking their nose or playing with their toes, so why should I be okay with them when they smoke? Bala 2arafkoun! I don't mind people smoking, I just do when it's a closed place and when I am eating, is it too much to ask for? some oxygen and to actually be able to taste the food?
Congratulations fellow Lebanese on one of your other lousy sense of humanity, logic and respect. Kudos! Ya3tikoun el 3afieh. I am glad I didn't go to Gemmayze because if I did and had found people smoking, I would've probably caused a scene.
Finally, why did those hypocrite pubs sign into this campaign if they were going to act like a cheating newly wed red-eyed husband?
Sign Petition to pass an electoral law to ban smoking in public places here.
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what a pity indeed :(
ReplyDeleteI recently quit 8 years of smoking (it's been 3 months) and what I have realized about Lebanon is that you don't just quit once. The country is geared to make you smoke. You keep quitting every single day.
My friends were @Kayan and came back delighted that everyone there complied with the ban, and smokers who wished to smoke did so outside.
ReplyDeleteApparently, it was so successful that Kayan is seriously considering doing it every Sunday :)
Sad indeed. The customers are to blame for sure , I can imagine them saying "Yii hala2 3emlinlé 7aloun europeans ma3 el smoking ban, chou bala ta3mé" and ignore the ban.
ReplyDeleteAnd the bar owners are certainly to blame; they were probably saying "if we tell them not to smoke, they'll go to another pub". They should've just hidden the ashtrays.
Why aren't Lebanese disciplined in their own country is something i will never understand!
If the pubs will lose income because customers would rather go elsewhere to smoke, then they won't comply.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to understand why everything in this country has to be so damn complicated and difficult. Lebanon is the only place where people are unhappy to learn that I have quit 10 years of smoking...
But Lilo if as Delirious noted, then it was a success and the pub she's talking about is quite a busy one. I guess it depends on the pubs.
Human beings tend to overtake the freedom they were assigned to. If pubs start banning smoking inside, or even restaurants separating sections (smoking and non-smoking), then people will have to abide by and things start to change. You know, sometimes we need to impose rules for people to change, otherwise they won't feel the need to. Therefore, I think we should target laws and places before we target people, because I believe this can change things around much faster.
ReplyDeleteNadine! Courage, you can do it! :)
ReplyDeleteDel, cool, I guess a couple of pubs stuck by this decision, which is great, let's hope they do make Sunday non-smoking, I will be sure to go
Fadi, Many Lebanese business people never want to take the responsibility of making a change and helping other if it's on the account of them making or losing money
Posh, that's why I guess it should be a law on ALL pubs and restaurants
Serpico, I guess, but what I worry about is the corruption we have, I mean we have kids going to night clubs because the club owner bribe police darak and stuff, what about smoking? We have a f*cked up system, it's hard to know where to start in order to fix things.
The good thing is there are good people out there who are still willing to do something for others
hey all, thanks for the lovely comments! it's Sad but true! Such incidents really happened but in a few places only. Being a Rotaract member, one of the organizers myself, I can confidently tell you that few participating pubs disrespected their agreement with us at the very last minute!!... Typical Lebanese behavior of not sticking to their word!!!! What a shame!
ReplyDeleteHowever, most of the participating places have fully supported the initiative and smokers were asked to smoke outside!! Hard luck for those who encountered such smoking incidents but you can’t generalize on all the event being a failure! It is evident that vandalizers are everywhere! We are making a point that people do want non-smoking nights and we’re on the right track of getting there!! be sure! You can't have everything perfect from day one! We need more support from you guys, by action.
There is a draft law about Non-smoking in public places in Lebanon and we are pushing to have it implemented. Please sign the petition for it at: http://www.stopsmokinglebanon.org/
Some more good news are coming, several pubs which participated will make a non-smoking night weekly. join our mailing list to kepp you posted WHEN & WHERE!! :)))
You can subscribe in the contacts section of http://www.aintnosmoking.info/
P.S. If I were in such a smoking incident at a participating venue, I would have COMPLAINED BIG TIME, MADE IT A POINT TO THE MANAGER and LEFT THE PLACE WITHOUT CONTINUING THE NIGHT THERE OR PAYING THE BILL!!! THIS LEAVES A STRONGER IMPACT AND MAKES THEM RETHINK THAT THEY WILL ALSO LOSE BUSINESS IF THEY DON’T RESPECT NON-SMOKERS!!!
WE NEED ALL OF YOU TO TAKE ACTION ON THE SPOT!
Cheers :))
Great news about the pubs that will make a non-smoking night weekly, this is amazing!
ReplyDeletePlease be sure that your campaign was amazing one even if some people disrespected it, however it did have an impact. Forgive us for wanting things perfect ;)
I will surely support you from my blog. Keep up the good work!
I will even make a free publicity for those pubs who do a non-smoking night! (well modest publicity through my blog)
Thank you for your comment :)
there should never be smoking on enclosed space. if someone owns a public establishment, they should make sure both the needs of smokers and non smokers are met.
ReplyDelete...i cant eat if anyone is smoking...gross
Come onnn Lilo have a smoke and relax.
ReplyDelete