Michael D'Alimonte
MTL BlogSat, 09 Apr 2016 14:32 UTC
© Pisit Koolplukpol / shutterstock
Summer certainly won't be as enjoyable for the cigarette-smokers of Montreal (which is almost everyone) as the smoking ban on terrasses is officially coming into effect quite soon. And with this current weather, it looks like smokers might only have one or two days to enjoy a smoke and a drink in the sun before it becomes illegal.
Announced on the Association des restaurateurs du Québec
website,
smoking anything on a terrasse (cigarette, vap, joint) in Montreal will be banned as of May 26th, 2016.Some may have thought that in a city with such a strong smoking culture, that this would never happen, but alas, it is has.Shouts of "this totally sucks" rang out in our office when everyone was reminded of the smoking ban announced last year, and no doubt many of you will feel the same.
Sorry, smokers, but it is a lost battle.
For non-smokers like myself, we can't help but be mildly happy that having to deal with second-hand smoke while enjoying a pint on a terrasse will be a thing of the past, but I doubt you really want to hear that. Sorry not sorry.
Comment: The author should keep in mind the words of Martin Niemöller before he goes celebrating this restriction on civil liberties:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
See also:
Smoking has proven benefits. Go do the research. There is an interesting SOTT podcast on the subject. Governments seem to enjoy limiting people's sovereignty, it must make them feel in control. Meanwhile, hypocriticallly, they encourage investment in large scale industries which release clouds of unfiltered pollution into the air we breathe and the water we drink. Stupid double standards!