Full fines for smoking in public

Sir,

I was interested to read there is to be an examination of how the smoking ban can be enforced, and the Justice Minister’s suggestion that the fines are too low to be a deterrent.

I must disagree – it doesn’t matter what the punishment is (smokers and non-smokers alike are already aware that smoking carries a possible death sentence) if the law is not enforced.

If, every time a smoker lit a cigarette in a nightclub they were fined €34, this illegal behaviour would soon stop. As it is, there is a negligible likelihood that they will be punished – the police force lacks the numbers to actually enforce this law.

Make bar owners, nightclub owners, restaurant owners police this law by increasing the fines on owners; if someone is found smoking in their establishment they automatically pay the maximum present fine (I understand this is €1,700).

Smoking customers can choose whether they want to put the bar owner at risk or not, likewise bar owners can choose for themselves who they wish to serve.

Paul Robert,
Ayia Napa

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