Q Should smoking be banned in all restaurants and entertainment venues?
It is puzzling indeed why smokers, in particular the Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Ballroom and Nightclub Merchants and their ilk, are getting their knickers in a twist. The proposed smoking ban is in keeping with many petty laws in Hong Kong - the smoking ban is highly unlikely to be effectively enforced.
Assuredly the authorities will only take action if a complaint is received and it would be a brave man indeed who would make such a complaint while in a local bar, restaurant, nightclub or ballroom!
Smokers should take heart from the almost total lack of enforcement of existing laws relating to eating/drinking on public transport, vehicles parking on footpaths, hill fires, polluted streams, dripping air conditioners, use of mobile telephones in motor vehicles, traffic offences, littering, illegal fuel stations, misuse of government land, overloaded trucks, faulty brake lights on trucks - the list is endless.
Rest assured they will largely be left to puff on undisturbed whatever the law may say. Smoke on to the end.
Doug Miller, Tai Po
