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24/04/2012
Proposed Ban On Smoking In Public Places Criticised
Plans to ban smoking in parks and on beaches has been described as dangerous by a pro-smoking lobby.
Forest Éireann said, unlike previous restrictions on smoking, the proposal is not evidence based but appears to be cosmetic.
Spokesman John Mallon told RTÉ's Morning Ireland such a move would further marginalise people for the habit of smoking, which is still legal.
Questioning health minister James Reilly’s assertion that the move would de-normalise smoking for children, Mallon said: "It's based on preferences and tastes, and that's quite dangerous in the area of legislation.
“Because you have to ask yourself what do you restrict next? Is the sight of a fat person sending a signal to a young child that it's okay to be overweight?
He added: "In this case, it's a departure. It's not a case that it's bad or a danger. It just looks bad. That's very cosmetic at one level, and one wonders what else looks bad and whose tastes are we following in this."
(H/GK)
Forest Éireann said, unlike previous restrictions on smoking, the proposal is not evidence based but appears to be cosmetic.
Spokesman John Mallon told RTÉ's Morning Ireland such a move would further marginalise people for the habit of smoking, which is still legal.
Questioning health minister James Reilly’s assertion that the move would de-normalise smoking for children, Mallon said: "It's based on preferences and tastes, and that's quite dangerous in the area of legislation.
“Because you have to ask yourself what do you restrict next? Is the sight of a fat person sending a signal to a young child that it's okay to be overweight?
He added: "In this case, it's a departure. It's not a case that it's bad or a danger. It just looks bad. That's very cosmetic at one level, and one wonders what else looks bad and whose tastes are we following in this."
(H/GK)
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