smokingban2 Lyrics

Health advocates said the new law would protect both patrons and workers in bars and clubs from the effects of second-hand smoke, which studies have shown can cause asthma, strokes and even heart attacks.

They said it would also help smokers quit the habit more easily.

Chonticha Putharak, a 21-year-old non-smoker who used to work in a bar, said she developed breathing difficulties and her eyes would also hurt when she was there.

''The law sounds good to me because I have an allergy,'' she said.

Chai Jeam-mornrat, a 33-year-old fashion designer who smokes almost a packet of cigarettes a night when visiting his favourite bars at weekends, said the new law is good as it would discourage him from smoking.

''I like to smoke when drinking alcohol. Being forced to go out of a club just to smoke outside could make me choose to not smoke to avoid the inconvenience,'' he said.

However, many are still doubtful about whether the law will be effectively enforced.

One bar worker said that bar owners may ignore the law and bribe police into turning a blind eye so that things could continue as before.

Karn Yaempetch, 33, who once co-owned the Original Sin club in the Chatuchak area agreed that it could be a problem.

''Now it all depends on how effective the law enforcement will be,'' he said.

''Law enforcement in this country rarely works.

''I think a voluntary measure with proper education on tobacco's impact on health would be more effective than the smoking ban.''

The health ministry said bar and restaurant owners can relax, at least for now, because authorities won't begin fining the law breakers until June.

''Although the ban takes effect on Feb 11, we will focus more on educating people and issuing warnings rather than fining wrongdoers until May 31,'' said Seri Hongyok, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Office.

The ministry is prepared to advise businesses on how to comply with the new rules, and will distribute copies of the regulations by the end of February, Mr Seri said.

''If there is any breach of the law, our authorities will consider them on a case-by-case basis to ensure fair treatment,'' he said.

patrons - people who use particular restaurants, hotels or other businesses; customers ผู้ใช้บริการ ลูกค้า
asthma - a medical condition that makes it difficult to breathe โรคหอบหืด
stroke - a medical condition is which the blood flow is suddenly stopped and cannot reach the brain ภาวะหัวใจวาย หมายถึงการที่หัวใจไม่สามารถสูบฉีดเลือดไปเลี้ยงสมองได้ชั่วขณะ
allergy - a medical condition in which you become sick or your skin becomes covered with red marks as a reaction to something you eat, breathe or touch อาการแพ้ ภูมิแพ้
discourage - to make someone feel like something should not be done ทำให้ไม่อยาก (ทำสิ่งใดสิ่งหนึ่ง)
inconvenience - an annoying problem or situation, especially one that forces you to make an extra effort to do something ความไม่สะดวกสบาย ความลำบาก
ignore - to fail to pay attention to; to pretend that you have not noticed or do not know about something เพิกเฉย
bribe - to give money or presents to someone so that they will help you by doing something illegal or dishonest ติดสินบน
turning a blind eye - deliberately not paying attention to; ignoring ทำไม่รู้ไม่ชี้ ทำเป็นไม่เห็น
voluntary - an action that is done because you choose to do it and not because you have to ด้วยความสมัครใจ
measure - an action taken to solve a particular problem มาตรการ
comply - to obey a rule or law, or to do what someone asks you to do ปฏิบัติตามกฎหมาย
regulations - official rules that control the way things are done ระเบียบ ข้อบังคับ
breach - a failure to follow a law or rule ละเมิดกฎหมาย

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 08:03 AM